United Kingdom visa for American citizens
eTA (travel authorization)
🇺🇸 American passport → 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: no visa, but an eta (online authorisation) is required.
How it works
Register online before you fly (minutes, small fee). It links to your passport electronically — airlines check it at check-in, so don't leave it to the airport.
Heads-up: United Kingdom commonly asks for proof of onward travel (airline check-in and border).
Before the airport: run the "Will I board?" checklist for this route →
Beyond United Kingdom: the United States passport
The 🇺🇸 United States passport ranks #32 of 199 worldwide, entering 159 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (see the world ranking).
Also visa-free on the United States passport: 🇩🇪 Germany (90 days), 🇪🇸 Spain (90 days), 🇫🇷 France (90 days) — all 159 open destinations.
Going the other way? British citizens visiting the United States need no visa, but an eTA (online authorisation) is required.
Never get caught out
Visa rules change with little notice. Get one email when United Kingdom changes its entry rules for American passports.
Capital London · Currency British pound (£) · Dialling +44
Before you travel
Sorting your United Kingdom trip on the United States passport:
See the whole picture
Every destination for the United States passport, and everyone who can enter United Kingdom.
American passport: all destinations Who can enter United Kingdom Plan the trip