The short version
- U.S. citizens need an approved ETA before traveling to the UK, including for business meetings and conferences.
- The fee rose from £16 to £20 on April 8, 2026. Each traveler, including children, needs their own.
- An ETA lasts two years or until the passport expires. A new passport means a new ETA.
The UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been required for U.S. citizens since January 8, 2025. It's now a normal part of any UK trip, and it catches people out mostly in two ways: they forget it entirely, or they renew their passport and don't realize the ETA didn't come with them.
The essentials
- Who needs one: nearly all U.S. passport holders visiting the UK for up to six months, whether for tourism, family, or business activities like meetings and conferences. Children need their own.
- Cost: £20 per person since April 8, 2026, up from £16.
- How long it lasts: two years, or until the passport it's linked to expires, whichever comes first. It covers multiple trips.
- Where to apply: the official UK ETA page on gov.uk or the UK ETA app. Many decisions come back quickly, but the UK government advises allowing at least three working days.
- What it covers: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Where business travelers get tripped up
The passport link
An ETA is tied to one passport. When a traveler renews, the old ETA doesn't transfer. If your organization has frequent UK travelers, note ETA expiration dates alongside passport expiration dates in their profiles.
What counts as a visit
An ETA covers visitor activities. Meetings, conferences, negotiations and site visits generally fit. Paid work in the UK or longer project assignments may need a different visa. If a trip is more than a straightforward visit, check the UK government's guidance before booking.
Europe isn't the UK
The UK isn't in the Schengen area, so a trip that combines London with Paris or Brussels involves two separate sets of rules. Our EES and ETIAS update covers the European side.
How we handle it
For clients who book international travel through us, we check entry requirements for each traveler and each leg before tickets are issued, and we remind travelers about authorizations they'll need to complete themselves. See international travel support for what's included, or bookmark our resources page for the official links.
Have a question about how this affects your travelers? Ask us, or learn more about our Athens corporate travel agency.