United Kingdom Entry Requirements for US Citizens

Entry requirements for US citizens

Visa Free — UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) required from January 2025 applies to US passport holders visiting United Kingdom. Your passport valid for the entire duration of intended stay. The maximum permitted stay is 6 months.

Safety overview

United Kingdom has a safety score of 83 out of 100 in the DheeVoy safety database. This is a moderate safety rating — standard travel precautions apply.

Safest areas in United Kingdom

• South Bank London
• Covent Garden London
• Edinburgh New Town
• Bath city centre
• Cotswolds villages

Tourist scams to avoid in United Kingdom

• Fake ticket sellers for popular London attractions near major sites — buy only from official box offices
• Unofficial black cab drivers outside central London stations
• Three-card monte and shell game operators in tourist areas
• Overpriced currency exchange at Heathrow and Gatwick airports — use bank ATMs for better rates

Best months to visit United Kingdom

The best months to visit are April, May, June, September, October.

Before you travel

Always verify entry requirements with the official US government travel advisory and the United Kingdom embassy or consulate before booking. Visa rules and electronic travel authorisation requirements (such as ETIAS, ESTA, K-ETA and UK ETA) change frequently. US passport holders can visit the UK visa-free for up to 6 months but from January 2025 must obtain a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before travel. The UK ETA costs GBP 10, is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, and allows multiple visits each of up to 6 months. Apply through the official UK ETA app or at gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta. Approval is usually within minutes. Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your intended stay in the UK.