Quick facts
Visa needed?
No
For visits up to 6 months
ETA needed?
Yes — mandatory
Since 25 Feb 2026
ETA cost
£20 (~$25)
Per person, incl. children
ETA validity
2 years
Or until passport expires
Processing time
Minutes
Apply 3+ working days early
Passport validity
Full stay
No 6-month rule for UK
Your pre-departure checklist
Essential — Before booking
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Valid US passport covering your entire stay
The UK only requires validity for the duration of your trip — no 6-month buffer needed. But airlines can be stricter, so 6+ months is safest.
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Apply for your UK ETA
Apply ONLY via the official GOV.UK website or the "UK ETA" app. Third-party sites charge $75–100+ for the same £20 service. Most approvals arrive within minutes.
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ETA for every traveller — including babies and children
Every passenger needs their own ETA regardless of age. Children do not travel under a parent's authorisation.
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Confirm your ETA was actually approved
Payment ≠ approval. Check your email or the app for the approval decision before travelling.
Before you fly
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Proof of onward or return travel
Border Force may ask to see your return ticket. Have it accessible on your phone.
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Accommodation details
Address of your hotel or host — you may be asked at the border and airlines sometimes request it at check-in.
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Travel insurance
The NHS is not free for visitors. A single hospital visit can cost thousands — insurance is strongly advised for any US traveller.
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Money that works abroad
Notify your bank of travel, or use a multi-currency card to avoid foreign transaction fees on every purchase.
On arrival
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Use the eGates with your biometric passport
US citizens with chip passports (look for the chip symbol on the cover) can use automated eGates at UK airports — much faster than staffed passport control.
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Customs — know your allowances
Nothing to declare if within personal allowances (42L beer, 18L wine, 200 cigarettes, £390 of other goods). Check HMRC limits if carrying more.
How to apply for your ETA — step by step
01
Download the official "UK ETA" app
Available on the App Store and Google Play. Alternatively apply at gov.uk. Avoid any other website.
02
Scan your passport & take a photo
The app scans your passport chip and takes a facial photo. Have your passport physically with you.
03
Answer suitability questions & pay £20
Short questions about criminal history and immigration record. Payment by card. The fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
04
Receive your decision — usually within minutes
The ETA links digitally to your passport — nothing to print. Apply at least 3 working days before travel in case of manual review.
Mistakes that catch Americans out
Fake ETA websites. Search "UK ETA" and predatory sites appear above the official one, charging $75–100+ or providing nothing at all. Only use GOV.UK or the official app.
New passport = new ETA. Your ETA is linked to your passport number. If you renew your passport, your ETA dies with the old one — you must apply again.
Transit counts. Even a 2-hour layover in London can require an ETA if you pass through border control. Airside transit at Heathrow and Manchester is currently exempt — but this can change, so verify your exact itinerary with your airline.
One typo kills the permit. Mistaking an "O" for a "0" in your passport number invalidates the digital authorisation. Triple-check every field.
Forgetting the kids. Every traveller needs their own ETA — babies included.
Smart traveller essentials
Travel insurance — genuinely important for the UK
US health insurance rarely covers you in the UK, and NHS treatment is chargeable for visitors. Compare policies before you fly.
Compare travel insurance →
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Skip foreign transaction fees
A multi-currency card like Wise gives you the real exchange rate in pounds — most US bank cards charge 3% on every UK purchase.
Get a Wise card →
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Data from the moment you land
An eSIM activates before you fly — no airport SIM hunting, no US roaming charges of $10+/day.
Browse UK eSIMs →
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Official sources
This checklist is compiled from
- → GOV.UK — Electronic Travel Authorisation
- → U.S. Embassy London — UK entry requirement alerts
- → GOV.UK — Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor
- → GOV.UK — Bringing goods into the UK
✓ Last verified: 1 October 2026 · Requirements change — always confirm with official sources before travel