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Americans must pay to visit the UK from today — how to apply now

also contributed to this story
Jan. 08, 2025
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3 min read
UK Travelers Ahead of Christmas Weekend
Americans must pay to visit the UK from today — how to apply now
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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

From today the United Kingdom will require travelers to obtain a new electronic travel authorization to enter the country.

This requirement applies to all visitors (regardless of age) who can travel there visa-free, including Americans. The requirement was launched earlier in 2024 for visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council states.

The latest phase of the authorization program’s rollout sees it applied to travelers from the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and others — the requirement will expand to the rest of the EU in April, with those applications opening from March.

ETA applications for Americans and other nationalities opened Nov. 27, 2024, for travel beginning Jan. 8, 2025. The application cost is 10 pounds ($13) and will be valid for multiple visits up to a maximum duration of six months over two years.

Travelers must apply for an ETA online before they travel and will be required to upload a photo. Per U.K. officials, it will take up to three business days to obtain clearance. If you are planning to take a trip over the pond in the new year, it would be wise to submit your application now — which you can do here on the U.K. government website.

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Alternatively, you can also apply using the U.K. government app, available on iOS and Android.

Along with paying for the application, you’ll be required to take or upload a photo of the passport you will use to travel to the U.K. and scan your face with your device if it has a camera — children ages 9 and under do not need to scan their face. You’ll also need to take or upload a photo of yourself and answer some personal questions.

“ETAs will be a requirement worldwide for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays, including those visiting from Europe,” the Home Office said in a statement to TPG earlier this year. “Visitors from Europe and other nations such as America and Australia do not currently need to make any form of application to visit the U.K. However, this will be changing with the introduction of ETAs.”

Because the ETA is not a visa, Europeans and other visa-free travelers, including those from the U.S., will maintain their visa-free status but will still need an ETA to cross the U.K. border upon implementation. The program is similar to the ESTA application required for non-U.S. citizens to visit the United States.

Bottom line

TPG has reported on the progress of the British electronic travel authorization throughout the last year. The program goes live today Jan. 8, 2025, and travelers can apply online on the U.K. government website or via the U.K. government app, available on iOS and Android.

Related reading:

Featured image by HOLLIE ADAMS/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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