United Kingdom Visa
UK ETA for US Citizens — 2 Years, Multiple Entries, Apply Online Before You Fly
London's world-class museums, the Scottish Highlands, the cliffs of Moher visible from Northern Ireland, Stonehenge at dawn, the Oxford and Cambridge colleges, the Lake District — the United Kingdom packs centuries of history and jaw-dropping landscapes into a single destination. U.S. citizens now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding a flight or train to Britain. The ETA is a quick online authorisation linked to your passport — no consulate visit, no visa sticker, no appointment. It's valid for 2 years with unlimited entries and up to 6 months per stay, so one application covers multiple trips.
How it works
- 1Fill in our short intake form with your passport details and travel dates, and upload a recent passport-style photo. The whole process takes about 5–10 minutes.
- 2Our team reviews your documents for errors — mismatched names, blurry passport scans, and non-compliant photos are the most common rejection triggers — then prepares your application for the UK Home Office via gov.uk/eta.
- 3The Home Office typically decides within hours to 3 working days. You receive a confirmation email — the ETA is electronically linked to your passport, so no printout is required. Present your passport at the UK border as usual.
FAQs
What is the UK ETA and do U.S. citizens really need one?
Yes — as of 8 January 2025, U.S. passport holders must have a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). The ETA is a pre-travel permission linked electronically to your passport. It is not a visa and does not require a consulate visit. You simply apply online, upload a photo and your passport details, pay the £20 government fee, and the Home Office adds the authorisation to your passport record. Border officers can see it when they scan your passport on arrival.
How much does the UK ETA cost, and is it refundable?
The UK government charges £20 per person for each ETA application. This fee was raised from £16 on 8 April 2026. The fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome — whether the ETA is approved, refused, or you decide not to travel. Children also require their own ETA at the same cost. In U.S. dollars, £20 is approximately $25–26 depending on the current exchange rate; eGovRush collects the government fee plus our service fee at checkout.
How long is the UK ETA valid, and how many times can I enter?
The UK ETA is valid for 2 years from the date it is granted, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. During that 2-year window, you can enter the UK as many times as you like. Each individual stay is limited to 6 months (180 days). There is no minimum gap required between visits, but if you plan to spend most of the year in the UK, you may trigger scrutiny from immigration officers who could question whether you are attempting to live there rather than visit.
What happens if I renew my U.S. passport while my UK ETA is still valid?
Your UK ETA is tied to your specific passport number. If you get a new passport — whether through renewal, replacement after loss, or a name change — your old ETA is no longer valid for the new passport. You must apply for a new ETA for the new passport before travelling. The application process and fee (£20) are the same as the original. This is also why it is important to apply for your ETA using the exact passport you intend to travel with.
Can I work or study in the UK with an ETA?
The UK ETA does not permit paid employment for a UK employer or client. You can attend business meetings, negotiate deals, pitch to investors, or participate in conferences, but you cannot take a job or provide contracted services to UK businesses. Short-term study of up to 6 months is allowed — for example, attending a language course or a short professional program. Longer academic study requires a Student visa. Digital nomads working remotely for non-UK employers are technically in a grey area; for clarity, consult a UK immigration lawyer before a long stay.
Why does the UK ETA require a photo when the Australian ETA does not?
The UK and Australian systems use different identity-verification approaches. Australia's ETA app reads the NFC chip or MRZ barcode in your passport to confirm identity — no separate photo upload is needed. The UK Home Office uses a photo-based facial recognition check as part of its ETA process: the photo you upload is compared against your passport photo and UK border records. This is why eGovRush requires your photo as a genuine document for UK ETA applications — not just for internal records, but because we upload it as part of the government submission.