Informational only, not legal advice. Verify with official sources before relying on this.

Know Abroad

United Kingdom

Last verified August 7, 2026

Written for U.S. passport holders

Common Entry Types

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
As a U.S. citizen, since 25 February 2026 you need an ETA before you travel to the UK — for tourism, visiting family, business meetings, or short-term study of 6 months or less. Apply via the UK ETA app or gov.uk before you go; most applications are approved within minutes. It costs about £16–£20 and covers multiple trips of up to 6 months each, valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

Overstay Consequences

  • Staying past your permitted 6 months can trigger an automatic re-entry ban once the overstay reaches 90 days — the ban can run from 1 to 10 years depending on circumstances.
  • Leaving voluntarily within 30 days of your permitted stay expiring can avoid an immediate ban, but you must still declare the overstay on any future UK application.
  • Overstaying without a reasonable excuse can lead to a fine or up to 6 months' imprisonment; deliberately overstaying to deceive immigration authorities can carry up to 4 years.

Renewal Path

  1. 1An ETA itself doesn't extend anything — it's pre-travel authorization, not a visa, and it doesn't grant leave to remain beyond your permitted 6-month stay.
  2. 2If you need more than 6 months, you must apply for and be granted the relevant UK visa before your permitted stay runs out — there's no in-country renewal for a standard ETA-based visit.
  3. 3Any prior overstay has to be declared on every future ETA or visa application, both in and outside the UK.

The Gotcha

Until February 2026, U.S. citizens could show up to the UK with nothing but a passport. That's over — you now need an ETA before you fly, even for a two-day trip, and airlines can and do deny boarding to travelers without one. It's fast and cheap to get, but it's no longer optional.

Sources

This page was drafted from the primary sources below. Rules change — check the linked page directly before relying on any of this.