The United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorization: What US Citizens Need to Know

In Pittsburgh, we are lucky enough to have a non-stop flight to London Heathrow (LHR) on British Airways. This flight is an amazing connection to the rest of the world - British Airways flies to nearly any imaginable location from their hub in London.

But new rules for US travelers might disrupt your travel plans if you aren't prepared. Luckily, Voyage Geeks is well versed on these new rules and is informing any clients with travel to or through the UK about the need to obtain this new United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).

What is the United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?

The UK ETA is a new digital travel permit designed to strengthen border security by pre-screening travelers before they arrive in the UK. Anyone entering the UK for tourism, business, short-term study, or transit purposes must now apply for and receive ETA approval before their trip. Applications can be submitted online or via the official UK ETA app. Most are processed within three working days, but travelers are advised to apply well in advance of departure.

How long does the ETA last?

Once approved, the ETA is valid for two years or until the passport used in the application expires—whichever comes first. During this validity period, travelers can enter the UK multiple times without needing to reapply, as long as each visit falls within the permitted duration (up to six months per stay for tourism, business, or short-term study, or up to three months for certain work-related visits). It’s important to ensure that your ETA remains valid for the entirety of your travel period and that your passport does not expire before or during your trip.

Who needs one?

Anyone who is planning upcoming travel to the United Kingdom—whether your final destination is the UK or you’re simply connecting through a UK airport—must now comply with new entry requirements. The ETA requirement applies to travelers from numerous countries who previously did not require a visa or any type of arrival validation. This change is important to factor into your travel planning, as it affects not just vacations or business trips, but also layovers and transits through UK airports.

How much does it cost?

Currently, the cost of an ETA is £10, but that fee is set to increase to £16 starting April 9, 2025. The authorization is valid for two years—or until your passport expires, whichever comes first—and allows multiple entries into the UK during that time. Each traveler, including minors, must have their own approved ETA before boarding any UK-bound transportation. Failure to obtain one could result in denied boarding or entry.

How can I apply?

You can visit the UK ETA site to view all the options to apply.

However, the easiest way is to download the UK ETA mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play store. You will need to associate your passport to the application. Modern passports have an RFID tag within them, so using the mobile app allows you to utilize your mobile phone to scan that embedded RFID tag to associate it to your application and to take the necessary selfie - smile! Doing this all from a laptop can be more cumbersome.

How can Voyage Geeks help?

Voyage Geeks is closely monitoring these changes to ensure that all our clients are informed and prepared. This is one of the greatest benefits of using a trusted travel advisor to plan and book your trips - we monitor all of this an coordinate it so you don't have to. And we can help you with the application process - if you are using your mobile phone it's fairly straightforward, but you might have a few hiccups with the tech. If that happens, let us walk you through it.

If you have questions about how the ETA might affect your specific itinerary, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help make your journey as smooth as possible.