Traveling to the UK just got simpler. The United Kingdom has introduced a new digital travel permit, called Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). For U.S. citizens, this is now mandatory for travel to the UK.
Think of it like the ESTA program for visiting the United States. It's a quick, online pre-screening that links directly to your passport, helping to streamline your arrival at the UK border.
The United Kingdom is the most-visited overseas destination for Americans. U.S. government data indicates that American travelers made approximately 6 million visits to the UK in 2024.
If the UK is your destination, this guide eliminates the hassle and provides you with the facts you need to obtain your UK ETA quickly and accurately.
Apply for your UK ETA quickly and securely with iVisa. Save your application and continue anytime, enjoy expert review, 24/7 multilingual support, flexible payment options, and coverage for hundreds of destinations worldwide.
On This Page
- What is a UK ETA?
- Do I Need a UK ETA?
- Applying for Your ETA: Direct vs. Assisted
- The Official UK ETA Process: A 3-Step Guide
- Beyond the ETA: Other UK Entry Requirements
- UK ETA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Passport Problems That Can Affect Your UK ETA
What is a UK ETA?
A UK ETA is a digital permit to travel to the United Kingdom. It is not a visa. It confirms you are eligible to travel to the UK for short stays, such as tourism, business, or visiting family. Once approved, it is electronically attached to your U.S. passport.
Do I Need a UK ETA?
As a U.S. citizen, yes, you will need a UK ETA for short visits to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
You must get a UK ETA if you are:
- Traveling for tourism, family visits, business meetings, or short-term study for up to 6 months.
- Transiting through a UK airport, where you need to pass through border control.
Note: You do not need a UK ETA if you already have a valid UK visa or hold a British or Irish passport. Every traveler who is subject to the ETA requirement needs an individual authorization, including babies and children.
Applying for Your ETA: Direct vs. Assisted
When it comes to getting your UK ETA, you have a choice in how you apply. It's important to know that the official processing time set by the UK government is the same for all applications and cannot be expedited. The difference lies in the application experience itself.
- Applying Directly (DIY): For travelers comfortable navigating government websites and forms, applying directly through the official UK portal is the most cost-effective method.
- Using an Assisted Service (iVisa): Travelers who want additional guidance can use a third-party service such as iVisa. The service provides a user-friendly application process, reviews the information submitted for common errors or missing details, and offers customer support throughout the process. Additional features may include multilingual assistance, flexible payment options, and tools for managing travel documents for multiple destinations. Assisted services charge a separate service fee in addition to the £20 government fee and cannot guarantee approval or expedite the UK government's decision.
The Official UK ETA Process: A 3-Step Guide
If you choose to apply directly on your own, the official UK government process is designed to be fast and user-friendly. The easiest way to apply is through the official UK ETA app on your smartphone.
| Official Gov. Fee: | £20 GBP (approx. $27 USD, non-refundable) |
| Validity: | 2 Years (or until your passport expires) |
| Use: | Multiple entries are permitted during its validity. |
Step 1: Get Your Information Ready
- Your valid U.S. passport
- An active email address
- A credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay for the fee
Step 2: Complete the Online Application
- Download the UK ETA app (from the Apple App Store or Google Play) or use the GOV.UK website.
- Scan your U.S. passport using your phone's camera.
- Scan the chip in your passport using your phone's NFC (contactless) capability.
- Take a photo of yourself (a selfie).
- Answer a few straightforward questions about your travel history and background.
Step 3: Submit and Receive Your UK ETA
- Pay the non-refundable £20 fee ($27 USD).
- Double-check all your information for accuracy. You cannot make any changes to your application once submitted.
- Submit your application.
- Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email.
- Keep in mind that decisions are typically made within 3 business days, though many applicants receive a response in just a few hours.
- Your approved UK ETA is digitally linked to your passport. There is no need to print or carry anything.
Beyond the ETA: Other UK Entry Requirements
Your approved UK ETA permits you to travel to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but you still need to meet the standard entry requirements at the border. Be prepared to show:
- Valid Passport: Your U.S. passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay.
- Proof of Funds: Evidence that you can financially support yourself during your trip (e.g., bank statements).
- Onward Travel/Return Home: Proof that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit (e.g., a return flight confirmation).
UK ETA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No. An ETA is not a visa because it only gives permission to travel to a country, not to enter or stay there. It's a quick online pre-screening for short visits, while a visa is an official entry document granted after a formal application and review.
If the application is "rejected," the applicant is given a reason and may apply again. If it is "refused," there is no ETA appeal; the traveler would generally need to apply for a visa to seek permission to travel.
Only if you need to pass through UK border control ("landside"). If you are staying "airside" and not officially entering the country, you do not need an ETA. To be safe, check with your airline if you are unsure.
No. Once submitted, your application cannot be edited. You will need to submit a new application and pay the fee again. This is why it's crucial to double-check all information for accuracy before submitting.
For travel to the UK, your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. The UK does not generally require U.S. visitors to have six months of passport validity beyond their departure date.
If you plan to visit a country in the Schengen Area after leaving the UK, different requirements apply. Your passport must generally be valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the Schengen Area and must have been issued within the previous 10 years.
Because passport requirements vary by destination and itinerary, check the entry requirements for every country you plan to visit before traveling.
Apply for your UK ETA quickly and securely with iVisa. Save your application and continue anytime, enjoy expert review, 24/7 multilingual support, flexible payment options, and coverage for hundreds of destinations worldwide.
Passport Problems That Can Affect Your UK ETA
Your UK ETA is digitally linked to the passport used in your application. Renewing, replacing, losing, or changing that passport can affect whether you are permitted to travel with your existing ETA.
If you renew your passport, you must apply for a new UK ETA using your new passport. Your existing ETA cannot be transferred because it is digitally linked to the passport used in the original application.
This applies even if your original ETA has not reached the end of its two-year validity period. You must travel with the same passport used to obtain the ETA.
Report the passport as lost or stolen and apply for a replacement through the U.S. Department of State. Once you receive a replacement passport, you will need to submit a new UK ETA application using the new passport information.
Do not attempt to travel using an ETA linked to a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. The replacement passport will have a different passport number, and the previous ETA will not transfer to it.
Your passport, UK ETA, and airline reservation should contain matching personal information. If your name changes and you obtain a new passport in your new name, you must apply for a new ETA using that passport.
Before traveling, make sure the name on your airline ticket matches the name shown on the passport you will use for the trip. An ETA application cannot be amended after it has been submitted.
First, remove any covers from your passport and phone and slowly move the top of your phone across the passport. For a U.S. passport, the UK government recommends placing the phone on the inside of the back cover if scanning the front does not work.
If the chip still cannot be scanned, the app can use the information taken from the photograph of your passport. Review the information carefully to make sure it matches your passport exactly. Incorrect information could delay the application or cause it to be rejected.
You can also apply through the official online application if you cannot download or use the UK ETA app. The online process requires a clear photograph of the passport information page and a photograph of the applicant.
A UK ETA is valid for up to two years or until the passport linked to it expires, whichever comes first. If your passport expires before the end of the two-year period, the ETA linked to it also stops being valid.
After receiving your new passport, you must apply and pay for a new ETA before traveling to the UK.
An emergency passport is a replacement travel document issued for urgent travel, but its acceptance and the permission required for travel can depend on the type of document, its validity, and the traveler's circumstances.
If you receive an emergency passport after obtaining an ETA with a different passport, the original ETA will not transfer to the emergency passport. You may need to obtain a new ETA or another form of permission linked to the emergency document before traveling.
Because emergency passports can have special limitations, confirm that the document will be accepted with UK Visas and Immigration and your airline before departure. Also check the entry and transit requirements of any other country included in your itinerary.
Remember: Your ETA Is Linked to One Passport
When traveling, use the same passport you used in your UK ETA application. If that passport expires, is replaced, or changes, you will generally need to apply and pay for a new ETA.
