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🇺🇸UNITED STATES
🇬🇧UNITED KINGDOMUS-GB

Do United States passport holders need a visa to visit United Kingdom?

Visa-free, but every US visitor needs an ETA (£20) before boarding from 8 Jan 2025. U.S. ordinary passport holders do not need a visa to visit the United Kingdom for up to 6 months at a time, but they now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding. The ETA has been mandatory for U.S. citizens since 8 January 2025. It costs £20 (increased from £16 on 8 April 2026), is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires (whichever comes first), and permits multiple visits. For stays beyond 6 months, study, work, or family settlement, apply for the appropriate UK visa through gov.uk before travel.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-27
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
United States (Green Card)Living in United States as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27
Visa type
ETA (visa-free with pre-authorization)
Maximum stay
Up to 6 months per visit (visitor)
per entry
Entries
Multiple
from issue date
Visa fee
£20 ETA
consular fee only
Processing time
Often within minutes (allow 3 working days)
standard track
Validity
2 years or until passport expires
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport validity
Your U.S. passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. The UK has no 6-month rule, but the ETA is tied to the specific passport.
· valid for stay
/02
Download the UK ETA app
Apply through the official UK ETA mobile app (iOS / Android) or the gov.uk/eta web form. No third-party sites are authorized.
· UK ETA app
/03
Complete the application
Scan your passport, take a selfie, answer eligibility questions, and pay the £20 fee by card.
· selfie + passport scan· £20
/04
Wait for the decision
Most decisions arrive in minutes by email. Some need up to 3 working days for additional review. Apply at least 3 days before flying.
· allow 3 working days
/05
Travel with the linked passport
The ETA is digitally linked to your passport — no printout needed. The airline checks ETA status at boarding. Border officers can still ask about your trip.
· digital, no printout
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
U.S. passport
Valid for the entire stay
Approved ETA
Linked digitally to the passport you'll travel on
Confirmed return or onward ticket
Required at boarding and immigration
Accommodation evidence
Hotel booking, Airbnb, or host's address
Funds evidence
Bank statements or credit cards covering the trip
Trip purpose details
Itinerary, business contacts, or family visit info
Travel insurance
Strongly recommended; the NHS does not cover visitors
Return travel itinerary
Demonstrates intent to leave within 6 months
Old passport (if ETA on previous)
Carry both if you applied on an older passport
Visa (if applicable)
Standard Visitor visa needed if ETA refused or for stays >6 months
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
UK ETA£20Increased from £16 on 8 April 2026
Standard Visitor visa£1276-month visit; alternative if ETA refused
Long-term Standard Visitor£475 (2y) / £848 (5y) / £1,059 (10y)Multiple-entry, each stay up to 6 months
Priority service+£5005 working days
Super-priority service+£1,000Next working day
Total estimate£20 — £2,000+incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

ETA decision
Minutes to 3 working days
Most are automatic; apply 72 hours before flying to be safe.
Standard Visitor visa
About 3 weeks
From biometric appointment at a VFS or USCS centre.
Priority Visitor visa
5 working days
Optional, +£500.
Super-priority Visitor visa
Next working day
Optional, +£1,000.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
ETA refused
Past UK immigration breaches, criminal history, or false answers can trigger ETA refusal. You'll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead.
Low
/02
Wrong purpose at the border
ETA covers tourism, business meetings, short study (under 6 months), or family visits — not paid work, settlement, or longer study.
Medium
/03
Insufficient funds or plans
Border Force can refuse entry if your trip plans, funds, or accommodation look weak or inconsistent.
Low
/04
Previous overstays anywhere
Past UK or other major-country overstays make ETA approval and entry harder.
Medium
/05
Travelling on a different passport
ETA is linked to a specific passport number. If you renew before travel, you must reapply.
Medium
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-27
United States to United Kingdom route verified
Confirmed ETA mandatory since 8 January 2025 and £20 fee in effect from 8 April 2026.
2026-04-08 · major
ETA fee raised to £20
UK Home Office increased the ETA fee from £16 to £20. Applications on or before 7 April 2026 were charged at the £16 rate.
2025-01-08 · major
ETA became mandatory for US citizens
From 8 January 2025, all US passport holders need an ETA before flying to the UK.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do I need an ETA for a layover in London?—
Yes, in most cases. Even if you don't pass through UK border control, you need an ETA unless you're using the airside transit at a UK airport without crossing immigration — and that exemption is narrow.
How long does an ETA last?+
What if my ETA is refused?+
Can children get an ETA?+
Do I need an ETA for the Channel Islands or Isle of Man?+
What about dual US/Irish citizenship?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United States passport

🇺🇸⇄
Compare the United States passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇺🇸◐
United States visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇺🇸▤
United States passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
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