US citizens have always enjoyed visa-free travel to the UK for visits that don’t surpass six months for the purpose of tourism or business. However, this is about to change in 2025 and every US citizen needs to be made aware.
The United States will remain a non-visa national to the UK but there will be an added requirement for travel called the UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). From January 8, 2025, you will require a UK ETA to travel from the US. Applications for this authorization scheme open from November 27, 2024, so you have enough time to secure your ETA.
Find out below what is an ETA and why you need to apply for one.
UK ETA
What is a UK ETA for US Citizens?
The UK ETA is a newly introduced digital immigration protocol that helps to screen visitors into the UK. It falls under UK entry requirements for U.S. citizens from 2025. The authorization is digitally linked to your passport after thorough security checks are carried out. The ETA applies to visitors from visa-free nationalities and was initially launched on the 25th of October 2023. It is currently applicable to visitors from the Gulf nations.
Travel authorization is not a new concept in the United States, although it may be to the citizens. There is an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) used by visitors to travel to the USA, the UK ETA is a flip of this. The ETA UK for US citizens and other non-Europeans is open for application from 27 November 2024 and will be a requirement for travel from January 8, 2025.
This means that US citizens who previously traveled visa-free to the US will now require a UK ETA. This includes all visitors of the UK staying for;
- up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business, or short-term studentship
- up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
- permitted paid engagement
- a transition through the UK – with or without going through UK border control
The new ETA will help prevent abuse of the UK immigration system. It safeguards UK citizens and visitors as well as introduces a cost-effective and fast-tracked screening process to assist you on your trip to the UK. The application is easy to conduct and seamless.
Key Statistics
Key Statistics on US Visitors to the United Kingdom
The UK has always been a popular travel destination for North Americans. For 2 consecutive years, the US has provided the most frequent visitors to the UK.
This proves that the UK is the top holiday destination for US citizens and North Americans in general with the number of visitors in 2023 now surpassing the pre-coronavirus levels. This makes the ETA UK for US citizens very important because without it US citizens won’t be able to travel to the United Kingdom.
Eligible
UK ETA: Are You Eligible as a US Citizen?
As a country that enjoyed visa-less travel into the UK, US citizens are eligible to apply for the UK ETA. In addition to your US citizenship, here are other important eligibility criteria.
Age
All travelers of any age will require a UK ETA and it must be applied for individually.
Passport Validity
Applicants from the US must have a valid passport. However, we advise that you have a passport that is valid for at least two years which the ETA will be valid for
Payment
You will be required to pay a UK ETA fee in order to obtain the ETA. More details on the fee can be found below.
Restrictions
Here are 5 reasons why your ETA can be denied;
- Applicant is not seeking entry as a visitor or Creative Worker
- Document submitted is not eligible for an ETA
- Applicant is not an eligible national for an ETA
- Applicant has been convicted of a criminal offense in the UK or overseas and has received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more
- Applicant has been convicted of a criminal offense in the UK or overseas and haven’t surpassed 12 months since the conviction
Required
What Documents Are Required for a UK ETA Application?
Before you commence the application process for the UK ETA, you have to prepare the following documents;
Passport
Applicants will need to take a photo of their valid passport for identification to be linked to your ETA.
Digital Photo
Applicants will be required to take a photo of themselves.
Email Address
Applicants will be required to provide the email address where they would like to receive their ETA decision.
UK ETA
How to Apply for a UK ETA
If you were wondering how to apply for a UK ETA from USA, here are three simple steps you can follow;
Ensure that you fill out the application form on our website with the correct details and documents.
After completing the application process, you must immediately pay the UK ETA fees online.
Within a few days, you will receive your ETA decision in the provided email address.
Processing Time
UK ETA Costs and Processing Time for US Applicants
Applicants can use our services to process their UK ETA. The UK ETA fee is £75 ($95.02) and this covers the standard government fees and all services rendered.
After payment, you will receive your UK ETA within 3 working days. However, it might take longer in a few instances where a decision maker is alerted to make additional checks and verification. This only happens in cases where the document or eligibility is called into question.
Validity
Validity and Duration of Stay
Your UK ETA is valid for two years or when your passport expires, whichever happens first. The UK ETA grants you multi-travel authorization for two years, so far you do not stay longer than 6 months at a time.
Applicants can apply for a new ETA after it expires but you are not allowed to extend your stay beyond 6 months at a time, unless in special situations.
Application
What To Do If Your UK ETA Application Is Denied
A UK electronic travel authorization application can be denied in the case of a mistake, fake information, ineligibility, or restrictions all discussed above. Here are steps to follow to handle a UK ETA denial;
- Find out the reason for the denial. If this is not included in the decision mail, you can request it.
- Address the reason for the denial. This can be in the form of correcting mistakes or sending the appropriate document.
- Reapply for the ETA
- If you are unable to solve the reason for denial or you are ineligible for a UK ETA, you can apply for a UK visa from the US.
Requirements
Entry Requirements After Obtaining a UK ETA
Upon obtaining a UK ETA and having it linked to your passport, US citizens are allowed to travel to the UK for the purpose of visiting, creative work, or transitioning.
Your UK ETA will be verified before your departure and this will be done at the boarding checkpoint depending on your mode of travel.
At the UK border, the border force officers will screen visitors to decide upon entry. Although a valid ETA will be among the requirements, they will assess all things that would be considered for entry into the UK. These other things would include your identity document and documents that verify your reason for your visit and destination.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The UK ETA application can be done online, so you can apply from anywhere. However, you need to apply for the UK ETA days before your travel, so that it can be ready before you travel.
No, the UK Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) is not applicable to US citizens. It is applicable for the Gulf countries but has now been replaced by the UK ETA for those countries.
No, anyone with a British passport, Irish passport, or other passport containing a certificate of entitlement does not require a UK ETA to travel to the UK.
Americans who intend to visit the UK for less than six months do not require a visa, all they need is to apply for a UK ETA. For other reasons asides visit or stay beyond 6 months, you will need to apply for a visa.
The UK ETA only screens and authorizes you to travel to the UK, it does not guarantee your entry. Entry is granted by UK border control.
We will assist you in every step
Contact us and speak to our independent advisors who can assist you with all questions regarding UK Electronic Travel Authorisation.