Yes. If you hold a US passport and plan to visit the UK, you need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you travel. It costs £20 per person as of 5 November 2026, and the same rule applies to Canadians and Australians. Most people apply in the official app and hear back within a day.
Here is who needs one, what it costs, how to apply, and what happens if you turn up without it. Everything below is based on the published GOV.UK pages listed at the end.
Who needs a UK ETA?
GOV.UK says you usually need an ETA rather than a visa if you are from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries. It covers short visits to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. An ETA lets you travel for up to 6 months at a time.
Each person needs their own ETA, including babies and children. You can apply on behalf of other people, such as family members.
An ETA is not a visa and does not guarantee entry. Border officers can still refuse you at the airport.
ETA at a glance
| Item | What GOV.UK says |
|---|---|
| Fee | £20 per person, non-refundable even if refused |
| Where to apply | The UK ETA app, or online if you cannot use the app |
| Decision time | Usually within a day; allow up to 3 working days |
| Validity | 2 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first |
| Stay per visit | Up to 6 months |
| Trips | Unlimited while the ETA is valid |
| Passport | Linked to the passport you applied with |
| Appeals | None for refusals, but you can reapply |
How much does it cost?
The fee is £20, paid by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. It is not refunded if your application is rejected. One older GOV.UK news page about the start of enforcement still lists £16, so you may see that figure in older articles. The £20 figure comes from the current GOV.UK application and information pages.
The Home Office says the cost is kept under review, and no dated change is announced on the official pages listed below. Check the fee on GOV.UK before you apply.
How to apply, step by step
- Check your passport. Apply with the passport you will actually travel on, because the ETA is tied to it.
- Gather what you need: your passport, an email address, a payment method and a face photo that meets the digital photo rules.
- Apply in the official UK ETA app. It uses your phone camera to scan your passport and your face.
- If you cannot use the app, apply online on GOV.UK. This route also asks for a photo of the passport.
- Pay the £20 fee.
- Wait for the decision email, which includes a 16-digit ETA reference number. Do not travel until you receive it.
Applying for someone else? The app works only if that person is with you. Otherwise use the online form, which needs photos of their passport and face.
Avoid look-alike sites
GOV.UK warns that other websites may charge more and that you should avoid sites that imitate government services. Applying through another site or app will not speed up your decision. Start from the official GOV.UK ETA application page.
How long does it take?
Most applications are decided within a day, but GOV.UK says it can take up to 3 working days. If you have heard nothing after that, check your spam folder before contacting UK Visas and Immigration. Applying at least a week before departure leaves a comfortable buffer.
Who does not need an ETA?
- British or Irish citizens, including dual citizens (they need a valid British or Irish passport, or proof of right of abode).
- People with a UK visa, or permission to live, work or study in the UK.
- People living in Ireland who are travelling to the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.
- Passengers transiting a UK airport without passing through border control (airside).
So Irish passport holders skip the ETA. A US citizen who lives in Ireland is also exempt, but only when travelling from Ireland or the islands, and they may be asked to show proof of residence.
Connecting through the UK
If you stay airside and never pass UK border control, you do not need an ETA. If your connection means you go through UK passport control, you do. The Home Office factsheet says passengers transiting Heathrow or Manchester without going through passport control do not currently need one. That word “currently” matters, so check with your airline if your routing is unusual.
What happens if you do not have one?
The UK began enforcing the ETA requirement on 25 February 2026. Airlines and other carriers must check passengers against Home Office records, and travellers without a valid ETA cannot board. Because the check is automated, a typo in your passport details or a different passport at the gate can also cause trouble.
What to do now
- Look at your passport expiry date. The ETA ends when the passport does, so a renewal means a new ETA.
- Apply in the official app a week or more before you fly.
- Save the confirmation email and ETA reference number.
- Make sure the name and passport number on your booking match the passport you applied with.
- Check that every traveler, including children, has their own ETA.
- Keep onward-travel details handy. Our guide to why countries ask for a return ticket explains why.
Planning a longer stay? Work, study or stays beyond 6 months need a different route. See our UK tourist visa guide for how visas differ, and our piece on EU border checks and ETIAS if you are adding mainland Europe to the trip.
FAQ
Do Canadians and Australians need a UK ETA too?
Yes. GOV.UK names the USA, Canada and Australia among the countries whose citizens usually need an ETA rather than a visa. The fee, validity and process are the same.
Can I use one ETA for several trips?
Yes. An ETA covers unlimited trips for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, with stays of up to 6 months each time.
What if my ETA is refused?
There is no appeal, and the fee is not refunded. You can submit a new application. If your plans involve work, study or a longer stay, you may need a visa instead.
Bottom line
Americans do need a UK ETA, and it is easy to get if you use the official route. Pay £20, apply in the app, wait for the confirmation email, and make sure it matches your passport. Rules and fees can change, so recheck GOV.UK shortly before you fly.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
- GOV.UK: Applying for a UK ETA
- GOV.UK: When you do not need an ETA
- GOV.UK: UK enforces digital permission to travel
- Home Office Media: ETA factsheet, April 2026
