The ETA fee Americans pay to visit the United Kingdom jumped from £16 to £20 on 8 April 2026. The 25 percent rise hits every new application and renewal. The Home Office announced no grace period. In this guide you will learn exactly how much Americans now pay, why the fee rose, how to budget for a family trip, and the simplest way to apply at the new price.
The travel permit is now a fixed part of every transatlantic holiday plan. So US travelers flying into London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast all pay this new fee before boarding. Therefore, knowing the timing, eligibility rules and payment methods will save you money and stress in 2026.
Why the UK ETA Fee Rose From £16 to £20
The Explanatory Memorandum to the fee regulations (SI 2026/311) gives a broad reason: the government wants people who use the migration and borders system, rather than taxpayers, to cover more of its cost. Consequently, Americans now contribute 25 percent more per authorization than they did before 8 April 2026.
In addition, the previous £16 rate had been in place since April 9, 2025 (the original fee was £10). Parliament signed off on the new rate under secondary legislation, and the change took effect on 8 April 2026. You can read the official ETA guidance at gov.uk.
Full Price Comparison: Old ETA Fee vs New ETA Fee
To put the new ETA fee Americans face in perspective, the table below compares exact costs before and after the increase.
| Travelers | Old fee (until 7 Apr 2026) | New fee (from 8 Apr 2026) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 solo American | £16 | £20 | +£4 |
| Couple | £32 | £40 | +£8 |
| Family of 3 | £48 | £60 | +£12 |
| Family of 4 | £64 | £80 | +£16 |
| Family of 5 | £80 | £100 | +£20 |
| Group of 10 | £160 | £200 | +£40 |
Therefore, the new ETA fee Americans pay is an extra £4 per person. However, it quickly stacks up for multi-generational trips and school groups.
How the £20 ETA Compares to the US ESTA
Americans often compare the UK ETA to the US ESTA. Indeed, both authorizations serve as pre-travel screening for visa-waived visitors. However, the ESTA now costs USD 40 (roughly £30) and lasts two years, while the £20 UK ETA works out to about $26–27 (ECB rate, September 25, 2026).
Even after the increase, the UK ETA still costs less than the ESTA and lasts up to the same two years. Either way, the fee is small next to the price of a transatlantic ticket.
Who Must Pay the New £20 ETA Fee
Every American passport holder visiting the UK for up to six months as a tourist, business visitor, short-course student, or transit passenger who leaves the airport must pay £20. That list includes children, infants, dual citizens traveling on their US passport, and green-card holders using their American one.
However, holders of a UK visa, British and Irish citizens (even with a US passport), and flight crew are exempt. So most Americans planning a standard vacation still pay the fee in full.
How to Apply at the New £20 Fee: Step by Step
The process stayed the same, only the cost rose. To apply, follow these steps in order.
- Gather your US passport, a clear digital photo, a credit card and travel dates.
- Visit the official UK ETA portal at gov.uk, not a third-party site.
- Complete the identity, contact and travel history sections. Indeed, every field is mandatory.
- Upload the biometric-quality photo.
- Pay the £20 fee using Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Apple Pay.
- Monitor your email for the approval, usually within 1 working day (GOV.UK allows up to 3 working days).
Apply at least a week before departure to absorb any document checks. Last-minute applications have grown far more stressful since the price hike.
Budgeting the £20 Fee Into Your 2026 Trip
For Americans comparing UK trip costs against Europe, £20 is still modest. However, treat it as a mandatory line item alongside flights, hotels and insurance. Therefore, most families now add £80 to £100 to their planning spreadsheet for the authorization alone.
The authorization is valid for two years, or until your passport expires if that comes first, so repeat visitors spread the cost across several trips. That works out to about £10 per year if you get the full two years. Pair it with our UK travel budget guide to stretch your pound further.
How Americans Overpay for the ETA
Copycat sites and fee-padding middlemen remain a real risk for American applicants. These unofficial portals now charge Americans anywhere from £45 to £95, pocketing the difference as a “service fee”. Therefore, always check the address bar for “gov.uk” before entering card details.
In addition, avoid three common traps: copycat websites using the Union Jack logo, travel agents who bundle the ETA into inflated packages, and Facebook ads that promise “fast-track” service. Consequently, the only way to pay exactly £20 is to apply directly on the UK government site.
Payment Card Tips to Save on the £20 Fee
Americans should use a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees. However, savings are small, about £0.50 per transaction. Still, over a family of four that equates to £2 back, which covers a coffee at Heathrow.
Apple Pay and Google Pay both work on the official portal and add extra fraud protection. Therefore, choose a travel-friendly Visa or Mastercard, enable device-level authentication, and keep a second card ready in case the first is declined.
What Happens to ETAs Bought at the Old £16 Price
Americans who applied on or before 7 April 2026 paid £16 and keep their ETA for two years from the date it was granted, or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first. Nothing changes about your current ETA. Your existing approval still covers unlimited entries for stays of up to six months.
However, once the two-year window closes, renewal costs £20. Therefore, travelers who anticipated a quick £16 top-up are now paying the new rate for the next cycle. Consequently, it is worth checking your ETA expiry date and planning future trips accordingly.
How the £20 Fee Affects American School Groups
School groups visiting London, Oxford and Edinburgh face higher costs. For example, a 40-student choir trip paid £640 before and now pays £800. As a result, some US tour operators have added a “document fee” line to pass the cost to parents transparently.
Chaperones and teachers pay £20 each, too. Budgeting early and collecting funds weeks ahead helps group leaders avoid last-minute fundraising. For the wider itinerary, see our UK trip planning guide.
What Americans Should Do Before Flying to the UK
First, check your passport expiry. The permit links directly to your passport number, so renewing mid-trip complicates matters. Therefore, make sure your US passport is valid for your entire stay. The UK does not require extra months of validity, but your ETA ends when that passport expires.
Second, apply at least one week before departure. Schedule your payment on a business day, in case the Home Office asks for clarifying documents. Consequently, you minimize the risk of denied boarding at US airports.
Third, print your approval. Indeed, although the ETA is digitally linked to your passport, a printed copy speeds up secondary screening.
Useful Next Steps for American Travelers
For more context on fees, passport rules and travel logistics, review these resources.
- UK ETA 2026 requirements and cost
- UK ETA US citizens complete guide
- UK exchange rate travel money tips
- UK ETA mistakes to avoid
- UK ETA vs tourist visa 2026
- How to pay safely for UK ETA
- UK ETA price increase April 2026
- UK ETA photo requirements 2026
- UK travel budget 2026 guide
- First-time visit UK US guide
- UK border control customs guide
- UK ETA processing time US citizens
If the Home Office changes the fee again, you will find updates on the official Home Office page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the UK ETA cost American travelers in 2026?
As of 8 April 2026, the UK ETA costs £20 per American traveler, up from the earlier £16 fee. Every US citizen, including babies and children, pays individually, with no family or group discount.
Is the £20 ETA fee refundable if my application is rejected?
No. The £20 ETA fee for Americans is non-refundable once you submit the application, even if the UK Home Office denies your authorization. Therefore, review your passport data carefully before hitting submit.
Do American children pay the same £20 ETA fee as adults?
Yes. Children of all ages, including infants, must have their own UK ETA, and each authorization costs £20. As a result, a family of four now pays £80 just for travel permission.
How long is the £20 ETA valid for American passport holders?
The permit stays valid for two years, or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first. During that window you can enter the country as often as you like, for stays of up to six months each.
Can I still enter the UK with an ETA bought before 8 April 2026 at £16?
Yes. ETAs issued at the £16 price remain valid for two years from the date they were granted, or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first. However, any renewal or new application filed on or after 8 April 2026 is charged at the £20 rate.
What payment methods does the UK ETA accept from Americans?
Americans can pay the £20 fee with Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Apple Pay. In addition, most prepaid travel cards work, provided they support international transactions.
How quickly is the UK ETA processed for American applicants after the price hike?
Processing speed has not changed. Most applicants get a decision within one working day, but it can take up to three working days, so apply at least three working days before you travel.