As of January 8, 2025, US citizens—as well as visitors from Australia and Canada—are required to apply for permission to enter the UK through a new scheme known as Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
US citizens visiting the United Kingdom will need an ETA whether they are traveling for tourism or business, the US Embassy to the UK announced in a worldwide travel alert. “This requirement applies to all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland and British Overseas Territories,” the alert states. “The ETA is similar to the US ESTA system and acts as a pre-clearance for travel. This change is part of the UK’s move towards a digital border system.”
This means you will need an ETA if you are traveling to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or any of the 14 UK Overseas Territories including Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, the Cayman Islands, and more.
US travelers with trips planned to the above destinations can now apply via the UK ETA mobile app or website. While most applications are approved the same day, it can take take up to 72 hours—so don’t risk leaving it to the last minute.
The UK government is in the process of fully digitizing its borders by the end of 2025, which it says will help bolster national security. Soon, all visitors to the UK who aren’t UK or Irish citizens will be required to receive advanced approval through an ETA or an eVisa. Travelers with layovers in the UK who do not pass through border control will be temporarily exempt from the requirements, the UK Home Office announced in January, citing feedback from the aviation industry.
The UK ETA system is similar to how the US’s own ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) system works. “An ETA costs £10, permits multiple journeys, and lasts for two years or until the holder’s passport expires—whichever is sooner,” the UK government explained in a news release. “Once granted, ETAs are digitally linked to a traveler’s passport and allow for stays of up to six months at a time—including both short trips and more extended stays. An ETA is not a visa, it is a digital permission to travel.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the new UK ETA requirements.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publication date.
Will I need a visa to enter the UK?
This isn’t technically a visa—the ETA system will grant travelers permission to enter the country. You will need to apply for an ETA prior to arrival. If you haven’t received permission to travel before arrival, you may be fined or denied boarding.
Do I need an ETA if my layover is in the UK?
The UK previously said it would require fliers transiting through UK airports to apply for an ETA. However, the Home Office has now changed its course, per a January 2025 press release: “Following feedback from the aviation industry, the government has agreed a temporary exemption for passengers who transit airside, and therefore do not pass through UK border control, from needing an ETA.” The decision will remain under review and is subject to change in the future.
