Jazmin Li
The UK has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which requires travellers to obtain an ETA before entering the country. This scheme is part of the UK's transition to a digital border system. Nationals of certain countries can obtain an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) instead of a visa, but they must use it in accordance with the rules. Those who are transiting through the UK without passing through border control may not need a visa, but this depends on their nationality and whether they meet certain conditions. Travellers should check the latest visa requirements before their journey to ensure compliance with the evolving transit regulations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who needs a visa? | Nationals of countries that ordinarily require a visa to visit the UK. |
| Who doesn't need a visa? | Non-visa nationals may not require a visa but must meet certain conditions to transit without prior permission. |
| Who needs an ETA? | Previously visa-free non-visa nationals who are eligible under the ETA rules. From 8 January 2025, this includes U.S. citizens travelling to the UK for short visits, tourism, or business. |
| Who doesn't need an ETA? | Those with a UK or Irish visa or legal residency in the UK or Republic of Ireland. |
| Types of transit | Airside: passengers remain within the airport's international transit area without going through border control. Landside: passengers must pass through immigration before continuing their journey. |
| Types of visas | Direct Airside Transit Visa, Visitor in Transit Visa, Standard Visitor Visa |
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What You'll Learn
- US citizens travelling to the UK for short visits, tourism or business need an ETA
- Nationals of Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia can obtain an EVW
- Non-visa nationals may not require a transit visa but must meet certain conditions
- If you're staying in the UK for more than 48 hours, you need a Standard Visitor visa
- If you're not going through UK border control, check if you need a Direct Airside Transit visa
US citizens travelling to the UK for short visits, tourism or business need an ETA
As of January 8, 2025, US citizens travelling to the UK for short visits, tourism, or business will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) if they do not have a UK visa or residency in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. This applies to all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland and British Overseas Territories. The ETA is similar to the US ESTA system and acts as pre-clearance for travel. This change is part of the UK's transition to a digital border system.
The ETA costs £10 ($12.75) and is valid for two years or the remaining validity of your passport, whichever is shorter. It does not require travel details and takes up to three working days to process. One does not need an ETA if they already have a visa, an exempt vignette, or hold a British or Irish passport.
US citizens can apply for an ETA beginning on November 27, 2024, and the application can be found on the UK Government website. The ETA allows US citizens to visit the UK for up to six months without needing a visa. It is important to note that the rules for entering the UK may differ if you are travelling from Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.
If you are transiting through the UK to another country, you may need a different type of visa, such as a Direct Airside Transit visa or a Visitor in Transit visa. A Direct Airside Transit visa is required if you will be changing flights in the UK and will not be going through UK border control. A Visitor in Transit visa is required if you will be going through UK border control and costs £70.
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Nationals of Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia can obtain an EVW
It is no longer possible to apply for an electronic visa waiver (EVW) to enter the UK. Instead, eligible travellers should apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). An ETA is similar to the US ESTA system and acts as pre-clearance for travel. Nationals of Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia can obtain an ETA, which is valid for two years or the remaining validity of their passport, whichever is shorter. The ETA allows for stays of up to six months and can be obtained within a few days. Applicants will need a valid passport, with at least six months of validity from their planned departure date from the UK, and may also be asked to provide proof of accommodation or their travel itinerary.
If travellers are passing through the UK in transit, they may not need to apply for a visa. However, this depends on their nationality and whether they will be going through UK border control. If they will be changing flights in the UK and will not be going through border control, they should apply for a Direct Airside Transit Visa. If they are staying in the UK for more than 48 hours, they will need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa.
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Non-visa nationals may not require a transit visa but must meet certain conditions
The UK's visa requirements depend on whether you are a visa national or a non-visa national. Non-visa nationals may not need a transit visa to enter the UK, but they must meet certain conditions. These conditions vary depending on the traveller's nationality and travel plans.
Non-visa nationals who will not be going through UK border control and will only be changing flights in the UK may require a Direct Airside Transit visa. This visa allows travellers to remain in the airport's international transit area without passing through border control. However, some nationalities may still require a transit visa even if they remain airside.
If non-visa nationals need to go through UK border control but will be leaving the UK within 48 hours, they must apply for a Visitor in Transit visa. This visa costs £70 and allows travellers to stay in the UK for up to 48 hours. To stay in the UK for longer than 48 hours, travellers must apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
In addition, non-visa nationals transiting landside in the UK may be granted permission to enter as a transit visitor without a visa if they meet specific eligibility requirements and hold an exemption document. These requirements include arriving and departing by air, genuinely transiting to another country, and not accessing public funds or seeking medical treatment, work, or study in the UK.
It is important to note that failure to meet the transit requirements can result in denied boarding or refusal of entry at the UK border. Travellers should ensure they carry the correct documents, including confirmed onward travel and any required visas for their final destination. The UK government website provides an online tool to check if a transit visa is required based on nationality and travel circumstances.
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If you're staying in the UK for more than 48 hours, you need a Standard Visitor visa
If you're planning to stay in the UK for more than 48 hours, you will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa. This type of visa is required if you're transiting through the UK on your way to another country and will be passing through UK border control. It is important to note that if you do not go through UK border control, you may need a Direct Airside Transit visa instead.
The Standard Visitor visa allows you to visit the UK for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months), and other permitted activities. You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months with this visa, and you can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if you visit the UK regularly. This long-term visa can last for 2, 5, or 10 years, and you can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit.
To apply for a Standard Visitor visa, you must do so online before travelling to the UK and attend an appointment at a visa application centre. It is recommended to apply at least 3 months before your trip. Each applicant must have their own application and pay the fee, which is £127 for up to 6 months. You will need a passport or travel document that is valid for the duration of your stay in the UK, and there must be a blank page in your passport for the visa.
In addition to the passport requirement, you may need to provide additional documents, such as a certificate proving you have had a tuberculosis (TB) test if you are visiting for more than 6 months. Certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh must also be provided. It is important to note that your visa may be cancelled if your travel history shows that you are repeatedly living in the UK for extended periods.
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If you're not going through UK border control, check if you need a Direct Airside Transit visa
If you're not going through UK border control, you may need to apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa. This depends on your nationality and whether you need to enter the UK. Your airline can tell you if you'll go through border control.
You must apply for this type of visa if you're travelling to or from Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. A Direct Airside Transit visa costs £39, though this may vary slightly depending on which country you're in.
You'll need to apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa if you're changing flights in the UK and will not be going through UK border control. If you will be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours, you should apply for a Visitor in Transit visa. A Visitor in Transit visa costs £70 and may also vary depending on your country.
If you're staying in the UK for more than 48 hours, you'll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa. You might need to apply for a visitor visa to travel through the UK to get to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or Ireland. You'll usually need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa unless you're exempt. For example, you don't need a transit visa if you have a valid Irish biometric visa (marked 'BC' or 'BC BIVS' in the 'Remarks' section).
Additionally, starting January 8, 2025, U.S. citizens travelling to the United Kingdom for short visits, tourism, or business, including those just passing through UK airports, will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) if they don't have a UK visa or legal residency in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you may need a visa to transit through the UK. The type of visa depends on whether you will be going through UK border control. If you will not be going through UK border control, you may need a Direct Airside Transit visa. If you will be going through UK border control, you may need a Visitor in Transit visa.
A Direct Airside Transit visa is for travellers who are catching an onward flight from the same UK airport at which they arrived. Airside transit passengers do not pass through UK border control.
A Visitor in Transit visa is for travellers who pass through UK border control. If you are staying in the UK for more than 48 hours, you will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
Starting January 8, 2025, U.S. citizens travelling to the United Kingdom for short visits, tourism, or business will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) if they do not have a UK visa or legal residency in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.
To apply for an ETA, you need to apply online at GOV.UK or use the UK ETA app. The cost to apply for an ETA is £10, and you should receive a decision within 3 working days.
