April 15, 2026, 12:39 p.m. ET
Have flight plans to the United Kingdom this year? You’ll need more than a passport to get you into the U.K.
As of late February, the British government started requiring an electronic travel authorization (ETA) or visa for most foreign tourists.
Starting April 23, an ETA will also be required to visit the Channel islands of Jersey and Guernsey off the coast of France and the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea.
“Visitors without an ETA will not be able to board their transport and cannot travel to the UK, unless exempt,” the U.K.’s Home Office, or interior department, posted on its official blog.
Here’s what Rhode Island travelers should know if they want to visit the U.K. out.
Do you need an ETA or visa?
“You usually need an ETA rather than a visa if you’re from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries,” according to the British government.
The ETA can be used for up to six months of visa-free tourism, family visits and other select activities outlined on GOV.UK.
Each traveler needs their own ETA, even babies.
How to get an ETA
The fastest way to get an ETA is though the official UK ETA app, but applications may also be submitted through the Home Office’s website for anyone who can’t use the app.
Either way, applicants will need to upload a photo of their passport and a photo of themselves, answer a series of questions and pay the application fee. Applicants age 10 and over will also need to scan their face.
The whole application process should take about 10 minutes.
How much does a UK ETA cost?
An ETA costs £20 through the UK ETA app or GOV.UK.
That’s equivalent to nearly $28, according to Western Union’s exchange rate as of April 14.
The British government notes third-party sites may charge more for applications and warns, “avoid websites that imitate government services.”
How long does it take to get an ETA?
The Home Office says most applicants get an automatic decision within minutes of applying through the app.
What happens if you’re denied?
If an application is rejected, applicants will be told why and allowed to reapply, according to the Home Office.
However if an application is refused, “they cannot appeal and instead need to apply for a visa if they still wish to seek permission to come to the UK.”
The British government also notes people with criminal records may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
How long is an ETA valid for?
An ETA is valid two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first, according to the British government.
The same ETA can be used for multiple visits, but each must be shorter than six months.
Who does not need an ETA?
British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA. However dual citizens will need to present a valid British or Irish passport or a certificate of entitlement for entry.
Others who do not need an ETA include, but are not limited to, travelers with:
- a U.K. visa
- permission to live, work or study in the U.K.
- a British overseas territories citizen passport
- a British national (overseas) passport
A full list of exemptions is available on the British government’s website.
Do US citizens need an ETA for Europe?
No, the European Union has different requirements.
Starting in late 2026, U.S. citizens will need a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) travel authorization to enter 30 European countries, including Italy, France and Germany.
While the U.K. is part of Europe, it is notably not part of the EU.
