UK ETA for US Citizens: Full Guide to Electronic Travel Authorization

What is the UK ETA for US Citizens?

A UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for United States (US) citizens is a travel permission that is required for American citizens to travel to the UK. The UK ETA for US citizens is similar to the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). A UK ETA permits the holder to travel to the UK as a visitor or pass through in transit.

The UK ETA was initially launched on October 25, 2023 for Qatari nationals. In February 2024, it was extended to nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. On November 27, 2024, the new ETA process will open up to include 49 non-visa nationals, including US citizens. On March 5, 2025, it will be available for European nationals from 34 countries.

US citizens were previously able to travel to the UK visa-free. Starting January 8, 2025, all US citizens will be required to obtain a UK ETA in advance of traveling to the UK. Applications open on November 27, 2024, for those planning to travel on or after January 8.

The UK ETA allows for short stays for several purposes including:

Traveling to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business, or short-term study.
Traveling to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession.
Traveling to the UK for a permitted paid engagement.
Transiting through the UK – including when the individual is not passing through UK border control.

Statistics on US Visitors to the United Kingdom

Each year millions of US citizens visit the UK for tourism, to see friends and family, attend events, or engage in business. In 2022 and 2023, US citizens were the most frequent visitors to the UK ahead of France and Germany. In 2023, 5.1 million US citizens chose to travel to the UK.

Advantages of the UK ETA

Introducing the UK ETA for US citizens has many advantages for all parties involved. Here are some of the top benefits of the UK ETA:

Quick and easy application process

The UK ETA application can be obtained by completing a simple online application. Applicants only need to upload a few documents, answer some short questions, and pay the application fee.

Multi-entry validity

The UK ETA is flexible, multiple-entry travel permission that is valid for two years or until the holder’s passport expires. It allows US citizens to make multiple trips to the UK without the need to renew or redo any paperwork.

Quick turnaround time

While the stated processing time for a UK ETA is 3 working days, most applicants receive a decision within a few hours.

Increased safety

The UK ETA is designed to increase safety for all those living in and visiting the UK, at and within its borders. This makes it an even more appealing and secure destination for US citizens.

UK ETA Eligibility Criteria for US Citizens

Not everyone living in or traveling from the US can obtain a UK ETA. The following are some of the eligibility criteria for US citizens to obtain a UK ETA:

Citizenship The applicant must be a citizen of the US and hold a US passport.
Duration of travel Applicants must be planning to stay in the UK for no more than 6 months. Anyone looking to travel to the UK for more than 6 months should consider a different type of UK visa from the USA.
Clean criminal record In most cases, it is best if applicants can present a clean criminal record. An application can be refused if the applicant has either:
- been found guilty of a crime in the UK or abroad and received a prison sentence of 12 months or more.
- been found guilty of a crime in the UK or abroad within the previous 12 months.

UK ETA Application Process

The UK ETA application process for US citizens is very straightforward and can be completed easily online. The following is a step-by-step guide for US citizens applying for a UK ETA:

Complete the application form

Applicants must complete the UK ETA application form online with all required biographic and contact details. It’s important to fill in the required information accurately and correctly.

Applicants will be required to upload a copy of their passport, and a photo of themselves, and answer some questions.

Pay the required fees

Applicants must pay the required fees. The UK ETA fee can be paid using a valid credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Receive your UK ETA

Once the application form is completed and the fee is paid, applicants will submit their application and wait for their ETA decision. The official processing time for the UK ETA is 3 working days. However, most applicants receive their UK ETA within a few hours.

Requirements for the UK ETA Application

In order to complete the UK ETA application, applicants from the US must have some required documents. Below is a list of the necessary documents US citizens need to complete the UK ETA application:

Passport

Applicants must provide a valid passport that will be used to travel to the UK. For US citizens, this would be a US passport.

Personal photo

Applicants must upload a photo of themselves to the online application system. The photo should adhere to the size and format guidelines mentioned on the application page. Photos should be at least 600 x 750 pixels and between 50 KB and 10 MB. They must be clear and unedited.

Payment method

The visa application fee can be paid online using a valid credit/debit card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.

Email address

Applicants must have a working email address that they check regularly. Information regarding the application may be sent to this address, along with the final UK ETA decision.

UK ETA Fees and Processing Time

The UK ETA fee is £78 for US citizens. As service providers, we offer this comprehensive price which includes both the government fees and our professional service fees.

The UK ETA can be obtained within 3 working days. However, many applicants receive a decision within a few hours.

UK ETA Validity and Duration of Stay

The UK ETA for US citizens is valid for 2 years. US citizens who hold a UK ETA can travel for short stays of up to 6 months for tourism, business, or to visit family and friends.

The UK ETA permits multiple entries to the UK over this period of two years, or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

UK ETA Refusals: Common Reasons and Solutions

In some cases, a US citizen might be denied a UK ETA. This might be due to several factors such as:

Reason

The presence of a criminal record.
An application can be refused if the applicant was sentenced to 12 months or more in prison for a crime in the UK or abroad OR was found guilty of a crime in the UK or abroad, unless it happened over a year ago.

Solution

Those with criminal convictions in the last 12 months who were sentenced to less than 12 months can wait to apply for their UK ETA until a year has passed since their conviction. Those with convictions greater than 12 months should consult an immigration lawyer on their options for travel.

Reason

Failure to complete the application correctly.
Completing the application details with old or incorrect information is one of the most common reasons an application could be rejected.

Solution

Applicants can avoid any errors in their applications by carefully completing them with the most up-to-date information and double-checking their details before submitting them. The instructions for the application are very straightforward, but applicants are advised to read all details before completing the steps in all cases.

UK ETA: Renewal and Extension Options

It is not possible to renew the UK ETA. Once the two-year validity period has passed, US citizens must apply for a new UK ETA. This also applies to US citizens whose passports expire before the two-year period has ended.

Traveling with a UK ETA: Important Details

A UK ETA is digitally attached to the holder’s passport so it’s imperative that the holder travels with the same passport they used to apply for the ETA. For those with multiple passports, it’s very important to use the passport connected to the ETA to travel to the UK.
US citizens holding a UK ETA can travel to the UK in compliance with UK entry requirements for US citizens. When they arrive, the border authorities will check their passport that has the UK ETA digitally attached. The border officers have the final say on entry into the UK.
After passing through border control, it’s important to keep one’s passport secure on their person. US citizens must keep the passport with the UK ETA attached accessible throughout their trip to the UK, whether they are visiting London, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

FAQ

Only nationals of eligible countries will need an ETA to enter the UK. Starting November 5, 2024, this will include US citizens and citizens of 48 other countries. It’s important to check the list of eligible nationalities if you are thinking of traveling to the UK this year.

Americans do not need a visa to travel to the UK. However, as of November 5, 2024, they will be required to apply for a UK ETA. This is a travel permission that is digitally attached to their passport and valid for up to two years or until their passport expires, whichever comes first.

No, US citizens must apply for their UK ETA in advance of traveling to the UK. The ETA must be digitally linked to the holder’s passport before they arrive in the country and cannot be applied for at the airport.

All UK ETAs can be obtained online by filling out the application and receiving the UK ETA by email. The processing time can take up to 3 working days, but usually only takes a few hours.

To apply for a UK ETA, US citizens need a valid passport, a working email address, a valid payment method, and a clean criminal record. They should also be able to provide a photo and a copy of their passport during the application process.