ETA required
Americans need a UK ETA
ETA required for travel from 8 January 2025
Until 2025, US citizens walked up to a UK border with a passport and no pre-authorisation. That ended when the US joined the worldwide ETA list. If you are flying JFK–Heathrow, taking the Queen Mary, or connecting landside at a UK airport, carriers now check for an approved ETA before you board. The government fee is £20 on GOV.UK or the UK ETA app. It is valid for two years or until that passport expires, with visits of up to six months. An ETA is not a visa and not a work permit. Dual US–British citizens should travel on the British passport and skip the ETA entirely. Apply at least three working days before departure; most app decisions arrive in minutes, but a few are reviewed.
American travel facts
| Passport | United States |
|---|---|
| Roll-out | ETA required for travel from 8 January 2025 |
| What you need | UK ETA (£20) |
| Stay | Usually up to 6 months as a visitor |
| Work | Not allowed on visit permission |
| Landside transit | ETA required if you pass UK border control |
Mistakes americans make
- Paying a lookalike site $50–$80. The only official fee is £20.
- Applying with a passport you will not fly on. The ETA is tied to that document.
- Assuming a US Global Entry or ESTA covers the UK. It does not.
- Skipping the ETA because you are only changing planes — landside transit (passing UK border control, collecting bags, changing terminals outside airside) needs one.
London notes for American arrivals
From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line is usually the cheapest ride into Zone 1; Heathrow Express is faster and dearer. Pay with a US contactless card on TfL — you do not need Oyster. If you pick up a hire car, Congestion Charge (central zone, daytime) and ULEZ (almost all Greater London, 24/7) are separate from the ETA.
FAQs
- Do US citizens need a UK ETA in 2026?
- Yes, unless you are travelling on a British or Irish passport, or you already have UK permission to live, work or study.
- Does a US ESTA replace a UK ETA?
- No. ESTA is for travel to the United States. The UK system is separate.
- What if I have a green card, not a US passport?
- The ETA follows the passport you travel on, not US residence. Check GOV.UK for that nationality.
- Can I work remotely from a London hotel on an ETA?
- Visit permission is not a work visa. Do not treat an ETA as authorisation to work for a UK employer.
Other passports
Bodhixt is not affiliated with UKVI. Confirm on GOV.UK before you book. Apply via https://www.gov.uk/eta only.