Quick answer
As a US citizen, you generally need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK, not a visa. An ETA costs £20 and lets you travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to 6 months. You also need a passport that is valid for your whole stay.
Checked on 11 November 2026 against GOV.UK: Electronic travel authorisation (ETA).
On this page
Key facts
| Requirement | What applies to US citizens |
|---|---|
| Permission to travel | ETA, generally instead of a visa |
| Cost | £20 per application, no refund |
| Length of each visit | Up to 6 months |
| ETA validity | 2 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first |
| Decision time | Usually within 1 working day, at most 3 working days |
| Passport | Valid for the whole time you are in the UK |
| Who needs one | Every traveller, including babies and children |
When you need an ETA and when you need something else
The ETA is a digital permission to travel. It is linked to your passport. It is not a visa, and it does not guarantee entry.
| Your situation | ETA needed? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Visiting the UK for up to 6 months | Yes | The standard case for US citizens |
| Visiting Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man | Yes | The same ETA covers these places |
| Changing flights at a UK airport and passing through border control | Yes | See UK ETA for transit and layovers |
| Travelling with a baby or child | Yes, for each child | Every traveller needs their own ETA |
| Holding a diplomatic or official passport | Usually yes | The passport type alone does not give an exemption |
| Staying longer than 6 months or for a purpose an ETA does not cover | An ETA is not enough | See UK ETA or visa? |
How to get your ETA
The full process is in our guide UK ETA for US citizens: requirements, cost and how to apply. In short:
- Check that your passport will be valid for your whole stay.
- Apply through the official GOV.UK website or the UK ETA app. Each traveller needs a separate application.
- Pay £20. You cannot get a refund once you have applied.
- Wait for the decision email. It usually arrives within 1 working day and at the latest within 3 working days.
- Do not travel until you have the email confirming your ETA.
The app and the website work differently. The app scans the chip in your passport. If that does not work, it takes the details from a photo of your passport. The website does not read the chip. You upload a photo of your passport’s data page and a photo of your face. See UK ETA app: how to apply step by step and How to apply for a UK ETA.
Passport and border checks
Passport validity
GOV.UK requires your passport to be valid for the whole time you are in the UK. It does not set a requirement for blank pages. Your ETA also ends when your passport expires, so plan to leave before that date.
What you show at the border
Your ETA is linked digitally to the passport you used to apply. At the border you only need to show that passport. If you travel on a different passport, it will not carry your ETA.
Entry is not guaranteed
An ETA lets you travel to the UK. It does not give you the right to enter. Border Force makes the decision at the border. It can refuse entry even if you hold a valid ETA.
No ETA, no boarding
Official sources do not list any emergency document that lets you enter without an ETA. Without one, your carrier should not let you board, and Border Force can refuse entry. Emergency travel documents exist only for British citizens.
Special cases
Diplomatic and official passports
An exemption from the ETA comes from being exempt from immigration control, for example through accreditation at a mission in the UK. A diplomatic or official passport alone does not give you an exemption.
FAQ
Do US citizens need a visa to travel to the UK?
Generally no. US citizens need an ETA instead of a visa for visits of up to 6 months. An ETA is not enough for longer stays or for purposes it does not cover.
How long before my trip should I apply?
Most decisions arrive by email within 1 working day. The maximum is 3 working days. You must wait for the confirmation email before you travel.
Can one ETA cover several trips?
Yes. An ETA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Each visit can last up to 6 months.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) – overview
- GOV.UK: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
- GOV.UK: Entering the UK – before you leave for the UK
This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. BritainEntry is an independent website and is not connected with the UK government.