New year, new travel plans, new travel requirements. As of January 2025, US citizens traveling to the UK, or even just traveling through the country’s airports, will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). The ETA is the UK’s latest effort to move toward a digital border system. While it won’t drastically change your travel experience, it’s important to know what it is and how it will affect your future travel plans. So, what does it all entail? You’ve got questions; we’ve got answers. Here’s your guide to the new UK ETA for US citizens.
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Table of Contents
- What Is the New UK ETA?
- ETA Q&A: Everything You Need to Know to Travel to the UK in 2025 and Beyond
- TL;DR: What You Need to Know About the UK ETA for US Citizens
- Ready to Run away to the UK? Find Your Flight with Next Vacay
What Is the New UK ETA?
The UK ETA program was first introduced in 2023 as a way to improve border control and enhance security. While first only available to a handful of countries, the list has since expanded to include citizens from dozens more and is required for the vast majority of people planning short-term visits to the UK. But it’s important to note that the UK ETA is not a visa. Instead, consider it a digital permission slip confirming you can travel to the UK. Once you get preapproval to travel to the UK, you’ll still have to pass through passport control, and Border Force will have the final say on whether you can enter the country.
ETA Q&A: Everything You Need to Know to Travel to the UK in 2025 and Beyond
Have questions about the new UK ETA? Next Vacay has the answers. We’ve assembled the most frequently asked questions about the ETA, from how it works to how to apply, to make your next visit to the UK a breeze.
Do US Citizens Need an ETA to Travel to the UK?
If the question running through your mind is, “Do I need an Electronic Travel Authorization to visit the UK,” the answer is yes. As of January 8, 2025, all US citizens traveling to the UK need an ETA. Well, what if you’re just passing through on your way to another destination? You still need to apply for an ETA. This requirement applies to all parts of the UK, so whether you’re traveling to England, Northern Ireland, or British Overseas Territories, you’ll need to apply for an ETA before your trip.
It’s best to apply well in advance so if there are any issues, you can plan accordingly. Of course, emergencies do happen, so if you need to travel to the UK urgently, you can apply for preapproval and travel to the UK while your application is still processing.
Do ETA Applications Get Rejected?
Yes, ETA applications do get rejected. Why? There are a number of reasons this might happen:
- Criminal history
- Prior violations of immigration law
- Providing false information
- Having a previous visitor visa application refused (without subsequent approval)
- Having a prior ETA canceled due to misuse (without new permissions granted)
- Blurry/unclear photos
- Incorrect/incomplete passport details
There is no right to a review or appeal process for a rejected ETA application. So, what does this mean if your application is rejected? Can you still travel to the UK? The good news is, yes, you can! Denials don’t equal a permanent ban to the UK. If your preapproval is denied, you can still apply for a Standard Visitor visa to travel to the UK or a Transit visa to pass through.
Who Doesn’t Need an ETA?
Most US citizens traveling to the UK will need an ETA. However, there are a few exceptions. If you already have a visa, permission to live, work, or study in the UK, or a British or Irish passport, you do not need to apply for an ETA to visit or pass through the country.
What Can You Do with the ETA?
An ETA allows you to visit the UK for a set period of time, depending on the purpose of your visit. For the vast majority of travelers—those visiting for tourism, family and friends, business, or short-term study—the ETA will cover a visit of up to six months. The ETA also covers the following situations:
- Visiting the UK on the Creative Worker visa concession (up to three months)
- Visiting the UK for a permitted paid engagement (up to six months)
- Transiting through the UK
How Much Does the UK ETA Cost?
The ETA costs £10 ($12.30) per application. For families, everyone traveling must have an ETA, including children and babies. The fee is taken during the application process and can be paid with a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
How Long Does the ETA Last?
The ETA covers visits of up to six months and lasts for two years or until your passport expires. This means you can visit the UK multiple times per approval, and you won’t need to pay the ETA fee again until your application or passport expires, whichever occurs first.
How Can US Citizens Apply for the UK ETA?
Travelers can apply to the UK ETA via the mobile app (IOS | Android) or online. To apply, you’ll need:
- Your passport
- Access to your email
- A form of payment (debit card, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- A device that takes photos
Each traveler must apply separately. The application has no save feature and only takes a few minutes, so it’s best to complete it in one sitting.
Applying Through the Mobile App
The mobile app is the recommended way of applying, and according to the UK government, it’s the fastest way to apply. The app can be used to apply for yourself and anyone with you, though each application and fee has to be submitted separately. The application only takes a few minutes and can be completed in six simple steps:
- Take a photo of your passport
- Scan your passport
- Scan your face (only applies to travelers ages 10+)
- Take a photo of yourself
- Answer questions about yourself (doesn’t include travel info)
- Pay the application fee
Applying Online
Though the app is quicker and the preferred method for application submissions, there is one good reason to apply online: the person you’re applying for isn’t present. If that’s the case, then it’s recommended to apply for their ETA through the online application. The process for applying online is fairly similar to applying through the app:
- Take or upload a photo of the traveler’s passport
- Take a face scan* (only applies to travelers ages 10+)
- Take or upload a photo
- Answer questions about the traveler (doesn’t include travel info)
- Pay the application fee
It’s best to finish the application quickly, as the service will time out after 20 minutes of inactivity. You also cannot save your progress, so if the service times out, your information will be deleted, and you’ll have to start over.
*Applicable if your device has a camera.
How Long Does It Take to Get Approved?
The approval process can take a few minutes to a few days. Many who have applied through the app have received approval within minutes of submitting their application. However, the review process can take longer. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a preapproval notification for a few days. Just remember to keep an eye out for updates in your email.
TL;DR: What You Need to Know about the UK ETA for US Citizens
While an ETA does not guarantee entry into the UK, all US citizens traveling to the UK or passing through will need to present an ETA approval alongside their passport for entry starting in 2025. The cost of an individual application is £10 ($12.30) and lasts for two years. Applications can be submitted through the mobile app or online and take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days to be approved. No group option exists, so families will have to submit each application individually.
Ready to Run Away to the UK? Find Your Flight with Next Vacay
And there you have it, the long and short of what the new ETA requirements mean for US citizens traveling to the UK. And while ever-changing regulations are nothing new in travel, trying to keep up can be exhausting. Between the new UK ETA for travelers to the United Kingdom and the ETIAS for travelers to Europe, it can be hard to find time to track down the perfect deal for your next European getaway.
Luckily, for those looking to save some time and put a stamp on their new year of travel, there’s Next Vacay. With a dedicated group of deal hunters tracking down the best deals and lightning-fast responses to all your support inquiries, the most important thing you’ll have to worry about is what to pack in your suitcase—and we’ve even got you covered there. Start traveling the easy way. Start traveling with Next Vacay.
