United Kingdom Visa Requirements for US Citizens
eTA REQUIRED — Apply online before you fly
US citizens need a £20 UK ETA for stays up to 6 months
US citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), not a full visa, to enter the United Kingdom for tourism or business stays up to 6 months. Apply online before you fly; the ETA costs £20 (about $26) and is valid for 2 years.
US citizens don't need a traditional UK visa, but since 2025 they must hold a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding a flight. The ETA costs £20 (about $26), is valid for 2 years, and allows stays of up to 6 months per visit for tourism, business, or short courses. Apply on the official UK ETA app or at gov.uk; most are approved within minutes, though the government says to allow up to 3 working days. Your US passport must be valid for your entire stay — the UK has no six-month rule. Use the ePassport eGates on arrival; Global Entry and TSA PreCheck don't help here. Flights from the US run nonstop from hubs like JFK on Delta, United, and American. Buy travel insurance, since Medicare won't cover you abroad, and verify current rules at the US State Department (travel.state.gov) before booking.
US citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the United Kingdom — a requirement that began for Americans in 2025. The ETA replaced visa-free entry for short trips. It costs £20, roughly $26, and you apply online through the official UK ETA app or gov.uk. Most approvals arrive within minutes, but allow up to 3 working days. An ETA is valid for 2 years and permits stays of up to 6 months per visit for tourism, business, or short study. Your US passport must stay valid for your whole trip; the UK has no six-month rule. On arrival, use the ePassport eGates — Global Entry offers no advantage. Buy travel insurance, since Medicare won't cover you abroad.
Entry requirements for United Kingdom
- Visa
- ETA required (not a visa) for stays up to 6 months
- Max stay
- 6 months per visit
- Passport
- Valid for your entire stay, one blank page (no 6-month rule)
- Vaccines
- None required
- Entry fee
- UK ETA £20 (about $26)
- Registration
- UK ETA — apply online before you fly
- Return ticket
- Recommended; may be requested at the border
- Proof of funds
- May be asked to show funds for your stay
- Travel insurance
- Not required, but recommended — Medicare won't cover you abroad
Step by step: getting into United Kingdom
Before you fly
- 1Apply for your UK ETA online — Use the official UK ETA app or gov.uk. It costs £20 (about $26) and most are approved within minutes — allow up to 3 working days to be safe.
- 2Check your passport covers your stay — Your US passport must be valid for the entire length of your trip and have at least one blank page. The UK has no six-month validity rule.
- 3Link the ETA to your travel passport — The ETA is tied electronically to one passport number. Traveling on a different passport means it won't be valid.
At immigration
- 1Use the ePassport eGates — US citizens age 10 and up can use the automated eGates at most UK airports. Global Entry and TSA PreCheck give no advantage here.
- 2Be ready to state your trip purpose — Officers may ask your reason for visiting, where you're staying, and your departure date. Have your return or onward ticket handy.
After you arrive
- 1Keep your passport with the linked ETA — There is no paper stamp or landing card. Your entry is recorded electronically against your passport.
- 2Track your 6-month limit — Count from your entry date. Overstaying can jeopardize future ETAs and visas.
Common mistakes to avoid
1.I visited the UK last year without an ETA — do I still need one now?
→ Yes. Since 2025, US citizens must hold a UK ETA before flying. The old no-paperwork entry for Americans no longer applies.
2.My passport expires in 4 months — is that a problem for the UK?
→ No. The UK only requires your passport to be valid for your stay, unlike most of Asia's six-month rule. Renew anyway if it's close to expiry.
3.Does Global Entry or TSA PreCheck speed up UK arrival?
→ No. Those are US programs. In the UK, use the ePassport eGates instead — they're free and open to US citizens age 10 and up.
4.Can I work or study long-term on a UK ETA?
→ No. The ETA covers tourism, business meetings, and short courses up to 6 months. Work or long study needs a separate UK visa.
If you need a visa
- Type
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
- Cost
- £20 (about $26)
- Processing time
- Usually minutes; allow up to 3 working days
- Apply at
- official site →
Documents you'll need
- Valid US passport
- A digital photo of yourself
- A credit or debit card for the £20 fee
- An email address
You'll want a local SIM or eSIM on arrival:
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa for the UK?
Not a visa, but yes — a UK ETA. Since 2025, US passport holders must get an Electronic Travel Authorisation online before traveling for tourism or business stays up to 6 months.
How much does the UK ETA cost?
£20, about $26. You pay by credit or debit card when you apply on the official UK ETA app or at gov.uk. A travel rewards card like the Chase Sapphire earns points on the fee.
How long is the UK ETA valid?
Two years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. Within that period you can make multiple trips, each up to 6 months.
How long does UK ETA approval take?
Most are approved within minutes, but the UK advises allowing up to 3 working days. Apply before you book non-refundable travel.
How long can US citizens stay in the UK?
Up to 6 months per visit on an ETA. There's no fixed annual cap, but back-to-back long stays can prompt extra questions at the border.
Does Global Entry speed up UK immigration?
No. Global Entry only speeds your return to the US. In the UK, use the ePassport eGates, which are open to US citizens age 10 and older.
How bad is jet lag flying to the UK?
London runs 5 hours ahead of US Eastern time (ET), and JFK to Heathrow is about 3,460 miles and 7 hours nonstop. Eastbound jet lag hits harder, so arrive a day early and get morning sunlight.
Visa sorted? Book your flight:
Ready to plan your United Kingdom trip?
Visa rules for nearby countries
Verified against official government sources · June 2026
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/UnitedKingdom.html
- https://www.gov.uk/eta
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
Visa rules change. Always confirm with the official government source above before you book.
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