Americans traveling to the UK as tourists or business visitors are generally exempt from visas. From January 8, 2025, visa-exempt Americans traveling to the UK will be required to use the new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme before traveling. Americans will be able to apply for an ETA starting November 27, 2024.
Similar to ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) in the United States, ETA is digitally linked to a traveler’s passport, allowing for a smoother and more secure entry process.
It costs £10 to apply for an ETA. An ETA expires two years after issuance or when the individual’s passport expires, whichever comes first. If an individual obtains a new passport, he or she must apply for a new ETA.
With ETA you can:
Multiple entry stays of less than 6 months
ETA is being rolled out in stages. It is already in force for citizens of Gulf countries. Approximately 50 other countries, including the United States, will be added to the list on January 8, 2025. ETA will roll out to European countries on April 2, 2025.
Applications are made online through the UK ETA app. All travelers must complete a separate ETA application. Applications are typically processed within 3 business days, but we encourage you to apply early.
A similar ETIAS program for travel to the European Union has been postponed but is expected to come into force sometime in 2025.
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