Passmere is a private company, not a government agency. This guide is free information, not legal advice. Each fact links to the official source and shows the date we checked it.

Entry requirements

United Kingdom entry requirements for U.S. citizens

Q: Does my baby need an ETA?

Yes. (under review — check the official source)

Q: How long is an ETA good for?

(under review — check the official source)

Q: How fast will I get an answer?

(under review — check the official source)

Q: I will get a new passport. What happens to my ETA?

The ETA is linked to the passport you used to apply. (under review — check the official source) Before you travel with a new passport, check the official site, (under review — check the official source).

What U.S. tourists need to visit the UK: the ETA, how to apply, the government fee, how long you can stay and the passport rule, with the official source for each.

Updated October 2, 20263 min read

What you need to enter the United Kingdom

For a tourist visit, the answer is: under review — see the official source ¹. You must have the approval before you travel.

under review — see the official source ⁵ under review — see the official source ⁶

You apply on the official UK government page, under review — see the official source ⁴, which also links to the UK ETA app. If your situation is unusual, the official site decides which document you need: check it, or ask an immigration attorney.

Entry rules change often, and the UK government decides who may enter. Check the official site before you travel.

How long you can stay

Each tourist visit can last up to under review — see the official source ³. Plan your return date inside that limit.

Passport rules

under review — see the official source ⁷

Your ETA is linked to the passport you used to apply. If your passport needs renewing, renew it first and then apply for the ETA with the new one. See Renew your U.S. passport by mail.

Short on time? under review — see the official source ⁸ Read Urgent travel: getting a passport fast.

Travel advisory

The U.S. Department of State rates the United Kingdom at under review — see the official source ⁹. Advisories can change at any time, so read the current one before you book and again before you leave.

Step by step

Check that your U.S. passport will be valid for your whole stay.
Go to the official UK government page, under review — see the official source ⁴, and apply online or in the UK ETA app.
Fill in a separate application for every traveler, including babies and children.
Pay the government fee in the application.
Wait for the email that confirms your ETA. Do not travel before you have it.
Travel with the same passport you used to apply.

Checklist

Before you fly to the United Kingdom

U.S. passport valid for your whole stay
ETA approved by email for every traveler, children included
ETA requested with the passport you will travel with
Return date within the allowed stay
Current travel advisory read

Do and don't

Do

Apply only through the official UK government site or the UK ETA app.
Apply early. under review — see the official source ¹⁰
Keep the approval email until you are back home.

Don't

Don't treat approval as certain: wait for the confirmation email before you fly.
Don't pay a website that offers to apply for you. You can apply yourself on the official site.
Don't use this guide for a work or study trip; check the official site for those.

Fees

This is a government fee. It is paid to the UK government, not to Passmere. Passmere does not process visas or travel authorizations.

What	Paid to	Fee
ETA application, per traveler	UK government	under review — see the official source ²

The fee is not refunded. The official site shows the current fee before you pay.

Frequently asked questions

Does my baby need an ETA?

Yes. under review — see the official source ⁵

How long is an ETA good for?

under review — see the official source ⁶

How fast will I get an answer?

under review — see the official source ¹⁰

I will get a new passport. What happens to my ETA?

The ETA is linked to the passport you used to apply. under review — see the official source ⁶ Before you travel with a new passport, check the official site, under review — see the official source ⁴.

Can Passmere apply for my ETA?

No. Passmere is a private company and does not process visas or travel authorizations. You apply yourself on the official site, under review — see the official source ⁴.

Sources and verification

Entry document for tourism — UK Visas and Immigration, Home Office (GOV.UK): Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK. under review — see the official source
Government ETA fee — UK Visas and Immigration, Home Office (GOV.UK): Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK. under review — see the official source
Maximum stay per visit — UK Visas and Immigration, Home Office (GOV.UK): Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK. under review — see the official source
Official ETA information and application — U.S. Department of State: United Kingdom International Travel Information. under review — see the official source
ETA needed for every traveler — UK Visas and Immigration, Home Office (GOV.UK): Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK. under review — see the official source
How long an ETA lasts — UK Visas and Immigration, Home Office (GOV.UK): Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK. under review — see the official source
Passport validity rule — U.S. Department of State: United Kingdom International Travel Information. under review — see the official source
Urgent travel: passport agency appointment — U.S. Department of State: Get Your Passport Fast. under review — see the official source
U.S. Travel Advisory level — U.S. Department of State: United Kingdom Travel Advisory. under review — see the official source
ETA decision time — UK Visas and Immigration, Home Office (GOV.UK): Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK. under review — see the official source