Visiting the U.K. Soon? Entry Requirements Are Changing for U.S. Travelers

Heading across the pond? This year, important changes to entry requirements come into effect, which may impact inbound tourists to the United Kingdom from countries such as the U.S. and Canada. Find out why you’ll now need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to visit the U.K. 

What Is the ETA?

The ETA is a digital application that allows you to travel to the U.K. Travelers who would not previously have required a tourist visa to enter the country will now need to apply online for an ETA before they intend to travel. While it is not a visa, the ETA is a necessary step for travelers who in most cases wouldn’t previously have needed to complete any paperwork at all. 

To apply, you will need to go online and submit some personal information, including your name, address, date of birth, and nationality, as well as a photograph. In addition, you’ll be asked to supply some basic information about your job and any criminal convictions you may have. A decision on your application will typically be issued within three days. A separate ETA is required for each traveler; parents will have to apply on behalf of their children.

The U.K.’s ETA works in a similar way as the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) does for eligible travelers wishing to enter the U.S. As of early 2025, the fee is £10 (approximately $12.50 USD). The U.K. government says it is introducing the system to streamline and digitize its border control process and to enhance border security.

Useful Information

Once your ETA has been approved, it lasts for two years or for the life of your passport, whichever is shorter. During that period, holders can make multiple trips and also transit the country en route to other destinations. However, it is only valid for certain purposes and not, for instance, if you intend to live in the U.K. 

The types of trips that are permitted include visits to family or friends, periods of short-term study, or tourism stays of not more than six months’ duration. Some work-related reasons are also acceptable — for example, if you’ve been asked to speak at a conference or perform at a music concert. Further guidance can be found on the U.K. government website. 

If your application for an ETA is refused, you may still be able to travel. In such circumstances, you will need to apply for a tourist visa via the usual channels. Applying for a Standard Visitor visa costs £115 ($145 USD). If issued, it is valid for six months. A Direct Airside Transit visa — which you may require if you’re changing flights in the U.K. to go through another country but not passing through border control — typically costs £35 ($44). 

When the ETA Goes Into Effect

The U.K.’s ETA requirements were originally launched in 2023 for a small number of nationalities, covering tourists from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The online authorization will now be extended to cover passport holders from a number of other countries and territories — including the U.S. and Canada. 

The ETA will also be available to passport holders from many Latin American and Caribbean nations, as well as those from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Singapore. A full list of countries eligible and the dates that these policy changes come into effect can be found on the U.K. government’s website.

Eligible U.S. passport holders will need an ETA to enter the U.K. beginning on January 8, 2025. Without the ETA, it is possible you could be refused boarding, although some sources suggest there may be a grace period. 

Citizens of many European countries — including members of the European Union and others such as Iceland, Switzerland, and Norway — will remain exempt from the ETA until spring 2025. And finally, travelers who hold dual nationality with British or Irish citizenship will not need an ETA at all.