Skip to content

US passport · United Kingdom

Do US citizens need a visa for the UK?

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 6 Nov 2026

In brief

No visa, but an online authorisation: US passport holders need an online travel authorisation before they travel to the UK (up to 6 months per visit).

UK ETA fee for US citizens: The ETA costs £20, whether you apply online or in the UK ETA app, and the fee is not refunded. ≈ USD 27 at the ECB rate of . Official fee. Source: UK Home Office, checked .

UK ETA processing time for US citizens: You usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days; do not travel before the approval email arrives. Source: UK Home Office, checked .

ETANL 1.1. Nationalities of the following locations (including countries and associated territories) are subject to the requirement to obtain an ETA for travel to the UK, pursuant to Appendix Electronic Travel AuthorisationUK Home Office (Immigration Rules)

Checked 6 Nov 2026Source: UK Home Office (Immigration Rules)Apply only at apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.ukReport a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. At a glance
  3. Do US citizens need a visa?
  4. Visa types
  5. How to apply
  6. Fee
  7. Processing time
  8. Documents
  9. What changed
  10. FAQ
  11. Sources

At a glance

AccessETA · up to 6 months per visit
StayUp to 6 months per visit
Validity and entriesAn ETA lasts 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, and covers any number of trips.2
Official feeThe ETA costs £20, whether you apply online or in the UK ETA app, and the fee is not refunded.2
Official processingYou usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days; do not travel before the approval email arrives.2
Where to applyApply in the UK ETA app or online on GOV.UK with the passport you will travel on, an email address and a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay; you also need a photo of your face.2Official site: apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk

Do US citizens need a visa for the UK?

The UK Home Office (Immigration Rules) lists the US among the countries whose nationals need an online travel authorisation before they travel. Stay: up to 6 months per visit.

“ETANL 1.1. Nationalities of the following locations (including countries and associated territories) are subject to the requirement to obtain an ETA for travel to the UK, pursuant to Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation”

UK Home Office (Immigration Rules) · checked

Conditions and exceptions

  • Every traveller needs their own ETA, babies and children included, and you also need one to pass through UK border control when changing planes landside.

    Each person travelling needs an ETA, including babies and children. ... You need an ETA if you’re passing through border control at a UK airport before continuing your onward journey.UK Home Office · checked

  • Your passport must be valid for your whole stay, and as a visitor you must be able to show you will leave at the end of the visit and can support yourself.

    You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay. You must be able to show that: you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit you’re able to support yourself and your dependants during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)UK Home Office · checked

UK visa types for US citizens

  • An ETA lasts 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, and covers any number of trips.

    UK Home Office · checked

  • Each visit on an ETA can last up to 6 months, in the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.

    UK Home Office · checked

How to apply

  1. Apply in the UK ETA app or online on GOV.UK with the passport you will travel on, an email address and a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay; you also need a photo of your face.

    UK Home Office · checked

Fee

  • The ETA costs £20, whether you apply online or in the UK ETA app, and the fee is not refunded.

    UK Home Office · checked

These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.

Processing time

  • You usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days; do not travel before the approval email arrives.

    UK Home Office · checked

Documents and entry checks

What changed

  1. US citizens have needed an ETA to travel to the UK since 8 January 2025. UK Home Office · checked
  2. Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.

FAQ

Is the UK visa-free for US citizens now?

There is no visa, but US citizens need an online travel authorisation before they travel (up to 6 months per visit).

How much does a UK visa cost for US citizens?

The ETA costs £20, whether you apply online or in the UK ETA app, and the fee is not refunded.

Can I get a UK visa in 7 days?

You usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days; do not travel before the approval email arrives.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. UK Home Office (Immigration Rules): entry rule and changesgov.uk · checked
  2. UK Home Office (GOV.UK): fees, visa types, processing time and how to applygov.uk · checked
  3. UK Home Office (GOV.UK): visa types and entry conditionsgov.uk · checked
  4. UK Home Office (GOV.UK): entry conditionsgov.uk · checked
Was this page helpful?Report a change

Visa Almanac is an independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.