Passing through UK airports on your way to home country? You must need ETA

We all know people on various visas in US like H1B, L1, H4 etc. must have visa stamping on their passport to travel or transiting through United Kingdom airports for all these years. Now, there is a new requirement even for US citizens which came into effect beginning January 8, 2025.

US citizens, irrespective of age, traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism or business, including those just passing through UK airports, 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.

This requirement applies to all parts of the UK including Northern Ireland. The ETA is similar to the US ESTA system and acts as a pre-clearance for travel. With ETA, you can also come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study.

This ETA may take up to three working days to process and once issued, it is valid for two years or the remaining period of validity on your passport, whichever is shorter. You do not need to provide travel details and it just costs 10 pounds. For more details or to apply for ETA, visit www.gov.uk/ETA.