ETA & Passports
Your ETA and passport, sorted
Everyone travelling from outside the UK needs a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and a valid passport. Most of you already have a passport, so we'll start with the ETA.
Step one · required for everyone travelling from outside the UK
Get your UK ETA before you fly
The UK now requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from every visitor who isn't a British or Irish citizen. Airlines and train operators check it before you board, and they will turn you away without one. This applies to every guest coming from the US.
Who needs one
- Everyone on a US passport, or any passport other than British or Irish
- Children and babies, each with their own ETA
- Guests connecting through Dublin, Reykjavik or anywhere else
- Not needed: British and Irish citizens, including our London guests
Travelling on another country's passport? Check the UK visa checker on gov.uk, because a few nationalities need a full visa.
How to apply
- Use the official UK ETA app or gov.uk/eta. Avoid look-alike sites that charge extra.
- You'll need your passport, a photo of your face, and a card to pay.
- It costs £20 per person (about $27).
- Most decisions arrive within 3 working days.
- It lasts 2 years, or until your passport expires.
When to apply: August or September 2027
The ETA is tied to your passport number, so sort out your passport first. If you renew after getting an ETA, you'll need a new one.
Step two · check your passport
Need a new passport? Apply or renew by 1 April 2027
Most of you already have one, so just check the expiry date below. If you do need a new passport, this deadline leaves time for routine processing, mail delays, and a spare month in case anything goes wrong.
Check your passport in 30 seconds
Getting a passport for the first time
- Gather documentsA certified birth certificate (or naturalization certificate), a photo ID, and a photocopy of both.
- Get a photo2×2 inches, white background, no glasses. Most pharmacies do these.
- Apply in personFill in form DS-11 (don't sign it yet) and book an appointment at a post office or county clerk.
- Wait, then trackRoutine service takes about 4–6 weeks; expedited about 2–3. Track it on travel.state.gov.
Renewing
You can usually renew by mail (form DS-82), or online for many adults, if your current passport:
- was issued when you were 16 or older,
- was issued in the last 15 years,
- is undamaged and in your possession, and
- is in your current name, or you can document the change.
If any of these aren't true, apply in person with form DS-11 as if it were your first passport.
What it costs
| Adult passport book | Fee |
|---|---|
| First passport (DS-11) | $130 + $35 facility fee |
| Renewal (DS-82 or online) | $130 |
| Child under 16 (DS-11) | $100 + $35 |
| Expedited service | + $60 |
| 1–2 day return delivery | + ~$22–27 |
State Department fees, October 2026. Check travel.state.gov before you apply.
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