Update (Feb 28, 2026): The UK ETA fee increased from £16 to £20 on February 25, 2026. This guide has been updated to reflect current pricing.
If you’re planning a trip to the United Kingdom this year, here’s what you need to know: the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee is now £20 (~$27) as of February 25, 2026.
The fee increased from £16 (~$22) — a 25% bump. While not huge, it adds up for families traveling together.
What Is the UK ETA?
Starting January 8, 2025, Americans need an Electronic Travel Authorisation to visit the UK — even for short tourist trips. Think of it like the US ESTA system for visitors coming to America.
Key details:
- Cost: £16 now → £20 after Feb 25
- Valid for: 2 years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first)
- Processing time: Usually approved within minutes, can take up to 3 business days
- Covers: Tourism, business meetings, transit, short-term study
Who Needs a UK ETA?
You need an ETA if you’re:
- A US citizen visiting the UK for tourism or business
- Transiting through a UK airport (even if not leaving the airport)
- Visiting for short-term study or events
You DON’T need an ETA if you have:
- A UK visa
- British/Irish citizenship
- Settled or pre-settled status in the UK
How to Apply
Via the UK ETA App (Recommended)
The fastest way to apply is through the official UK ETA mobile app. It uses your phone’s camera to scan your passport and verify your identity in minutes.
- Apply online at gov.uk/eta or download the UK ETA app from your device’s app store
- Have your passport ready — you’ll need to scan it
- Take a selfie for identity verification
- Pay the fee — £16 until Feb 25, then £20
- Wait for approval — usually instant, sometimes up to 72 hours
Alternative: Apply Online
If you prefer not to use the app, you can complete the entire process at gov.uk/eta. You’ll need to upload passport photos manually, which takes slightly longer but works just as well.
Why the Fee Increase?
The UK Home Office cited rising costs of maintaining the digital border system. The 25% hike from £16 to £20 was confirmed on February 8, 2026.
For context, the US ESTA costs $21 (and has been at that price since 2022), so the UK ETA is now slightly more expensive for Americans than what we charge UK visitors.
How the UK ETA Compares to Other Travel Authorizations
| Country | Authorization | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | ETA | £20 (~$27) | 2 years |
| USA | ESTA | $21 | 2 years |
| EU/Schengen | ETIAS | €7 (~$8) | 3 years |
| Australia | eVisitor | Free | 1 year |
| Canada | eTA | C$7 (~$5) | 5 years |
The UK’s ETA is now among the more expensive electronic travel authorizations, though still reasonable for multi-year validity.
The Bottom Line
If you have any UK travel planned in the next two years:
✅ The ETA is valid for 2 years — worth getting even for tentative plans ✅ Takes 5 minutes to apply, usually approved instantly ✅ The £20 fee is still reasonable for multi-year validity
Don’t wait until you’re about to travel — apply well in advance to avoid any last-minute delays. And while you’re planning UK travel, check out our guide on Credit Cards That Cover TSA PreCheck & Global Entry to streamline your return to the US.
Apply here: gov.uk/eta
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