# The United Kingdom visa requirements for US passport holders > Americans need an electronic travel authorisation before flying for up to 180 days. Stay length verified against official evidence checked 2026-08-21. Source: https://doastretch.com/visa/us-passport/united-kingdom/ US passport · United Kingdom · 2026 180 days Travel authorisation · maximum stay Access verified against an official source Stay length verified against an official source · checked 2026-08-21 Americans need an electronic travel authorisation before flying for up to 180 days. Next step **How we know** Access verified against an official source Stretch's rules pipeline checked the entry category against the destination's official publication and a reviewer signed it off. Stay length verified against an official source The stay length was checked against official evidence. Sources are listed further down the page. ## How the count works for Americans in the United Kingdom You may stay up to 180 days. The recorded maximum applies to the current stay. Stretch does not assume that leaving creates a fresh allowance; check the evidence, entry stamp and any re-entry conditions. Stretch sets your must-exit date the day you log the entry and reminds you at 14, 7, 3 and 1 days out. ## Before you fly Stretch publishes no independently sourced arrival card or application checklist for this route. Use the official check labelled in the sources section before travelling. ## Notes from the rulebook Per the official source (www.gov.uk): An electronic travel authorisation ( ETA ) lets you travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to 6 months. ## Sources - **Evidence for the rule:** Official: www.gov.uk — checked 2026-08-21 - **Official check:** [gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta), retrieved 2026-08-21 ## Questions Americans ask about the United Kingdom **Can Americans enter the United Kingdom without a visa?** No visa, but an electronic travel authorisation is required before you fly. Access verified against an official source. **How long can Americans stay in the United Kingdom?** Up to 180 days — stay length verified against an official source. A fresh allowance on re-entry is not assumed; check the official evidence and current entry conditions. **Do Americans need to fill anything in before flying to the United Kingdom?** Stretch publishes no independently sourced pre-travel paperwork for this route. Use the official check labelled in the sources section before travelling. **Is this United Kingdom rule verified?** Access verified against an official source. Stay length verified against an official source. Both public claims have cleared the publication bar. Last checked 21 August 2026. **How does Stretch keep count of a stay in the United Kingdom?** Log the day you arrive and Stretch shows the days you have left and the date you must be out — reminders at 14, 7, 3 and 1 days, and on the day. The must-exit date is set the moment you log the entry. More for the US passport - [Thailand](https://doastretch.com/visa/us-passport/thailand/) Visa-free - [Indonesia](https://doastretch.com/visa/us-passport/indonesia/) Visa on arrival - [Vietnam](https://doastretch.com/visa/us-passport/vietnam/) e-Visa - [Japan](https://doastretch.com/visa/us-passport/japan/) Visa-free - [South Korea](https://doastretch.com/visa/us-passport/south-korea/) Visa-free - [Taiwan](https://doastretch.com/visa/us-passport/taiwan/) Visa-free - [Hong Kong](https://doastretch.com/visa/us-passport/hong-kong/) Visa-free - [The Philippines](https://doastretch.com/visa/us-passport/philippines/) Visa-free - [Cambodia](https://doastretch.com/visa/us-passport/cambodia/) Visa on arrival - [Laos](https://doastretch.com/visa/us-passport/laos/) Visa on arrival - [All verified destinations for US passport holders →](https://doastretch.com/visa/us-passport/) The United Kingdom for other passports - [Australian passport](https://doastretch.com/visa/australian-passport/united-kingdom/) Travel authorisation - [Canadian passport](https://doastretch.com/visa/canadian-passport/united-kingdom/) Travel authorisation - [Irish passport](https://doastretch.com/visa/irish-passport/united-kingdom/) Free movement - [German passport](https://doastretch.com/visa/german-passport/united-kingdom/) Travel authorisation - [French passport](https://doastretch.com/visa/french-passport/united-kingdom/) Travel authorisation - [Dutch passport](https://doastretch.com/visa/dutch-passport/united-kingdom/) Travel authorisation - [Spanish passport](https://doastretch.com/visa/spanish-passport/united-kingdom/) Travel authorisation - [Italian passport](https://doastretch.com/visa/italian-passport/united-kingdom/) Travel authorisation - [Portuguese passport](https://doastretch.com/visa/portuguese-passport/united-kingdom/) Travel authorisation - [Swedish passport](https://doastretch.com/visa/swedish-passport/united-kingdom/) Travel authorisation - [The United Kingdom verified entry rules by passport →](https://doastretch.com/visa/to/united-kingdom/) Also about The United Kingdom - [Do arrival and departure days count?](https://doastretch.com/guides/do-entry-and-exit-days-count/) guide - [Tax residency in The United Kingdom](https://doastretch.com/tax-days/united-kingdom/) 183d Stretch is a tracker, not legal advice. Rules change; the destination's officials decide at the border. This entry rule includes an official-check link alongside its evidence and last-checked date; use that official check before you travel. Rulebook build 2026-08-30; this page is regenerated from it automatically.