{"id":340,"date":"2025-08-19T13:32:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T13:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/can-i-travel-to-the-uk-with-an-esta\/"},"modified":"2025-09-13T10:12:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T10:12:46","slug":"can-i-travel-to-the-uk-with-an-esta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/can-i-travel-to-the-uk-with-an-esta\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I travel to the UK with an ESTA?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Many travelers confuse<strong>ESTA<\/strong> (Electronic Travel Authorization for the USA) with similar systems in Europe. A common question is: <em>is it possible to enter the UK with an ESTA?<\/em><br \/>\nThe answer is <strong>no<\/strong>. The UK is not part of the USA or the ESTA program. The UK is not part of the USA or the ESTA program. Here&#8217;s everything you need to know before planning your trip to London, Manchester or anywhere else in the UK.   <\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_ESTA\"><\/span>What is ESTA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Summary :<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a79a05673878\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a79a05673878\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/can-i-travel-to-the-uk-with-an-esta\/#What_is_ESTA\" >What is ESTA?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/can-i-travel-to-the-uk-with-an-esta\/#Travelling_to_the_UK_what_are_the_conditions\" >Travelling to the UK: what are the conditions?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/can-i-travel-to-the-uk-with-an-esta\/#Etias_and_the_United_Kingdom_possible_confusion\" >Etias and the United Kingdom: possible confusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/can-i-travel-to-the-uk-with-an-esta\/#ETA_Electronic_Travel_Authorisation\" >ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/can-i-travel-to-the-uk-with-an-esta\/#FAQ_%E2%80%93_Can_I_travel_to_the_UK_with_an_ESTA\" >FAQ &#8211; Can I travel to the UK with an ESTA?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Meaning: Electronic System for Travel Authorization<\/li>\n<li>Zone concerned: United States only<\/li>\n<li>Function: Electronic travel authorization for citizens of countries exempt from US visa requirements (Visa Waiver Program).<\/li>\n<li>Purpose: Allows travel to the U.S. for tourism, business or transit, for up to 90 days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>An ESTA does not give you the right to enter any other country, including the UK.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Travelling_to_the_UK_what_are_the_conditions\"><\/span>Travelling to the UK: what are the conditions?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Since the <strong>Brexit<\/strong>, the UK is no longer part of the European Union or the Schengen area. It therefore applies its own immigration rules. <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>For stays of <strong>less than 6 months<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Citizens of the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries require eTA UK travel authorization for tourism or short business trips.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A valid passport<\/strong> is required (European identity cards are no longer accepted).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>For a stay of <strong>more than 6 months<\/strong>, to work or study :\n<ul>\n<li>You need to apply for a suitable <strong>British visa<\/strong> (student visa, work visa, etc.).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Etias_and_the_United_Kingdom_possible_confusion\"><\/span>Etias and the United Kingdom: possible confusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Many also believe that<strong>ETIAS<\/strong> will be valid for the UK.<br \/>\nFalse: the UK is not part of the EU or the Schengen area. The ETIAS will therefore not be recognized. <\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ETA_Electronic_Travel_Authorisation\"><\/span>ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Since 2025, the United Kingdom has been implementing its own system similar to ESTA:<strong>ETA UK (Electronic Travel Authorisation)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mandatory for visa-exempt travelers.<\/li>\n<li>Apply online before departure.<\/li>\n<li>Estimated cost: around <strong>\u00a316<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Validity: 2 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This will be the UK equivalent of ESTA or <a href=\"https:\/\/etias-eu.net\/en\/\">ETIAS<\/a> authorization, but is <strong>specific to the UK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ_%E2%80%93_Can_I_travel_to_the_UK_with_an_ESTA\"><\/span>FAQ &#8211; Can I travel to the UK with an ESTA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Is the ESTA valid in the UK? No, the ESTA is only recognized by the United States. <\/li>\n<li>Which authorization replaces ESTA in the UK? The United Kingdom has introduced the <strong>ETA UK<\/strong> authorization. <\/li>\n<li>Can the ETIAS be used to travel to the UK? No, the ETIAS will only be valid for the Schengen area. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The ESTA is therefore not valid for travel to the UK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Since 2025, you have had to apply for a <a href=\"https:\/\/uk-gb.net\/fr\/visa-royaume-uni\/\">UK ETA<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Neither ESTA (USA) nor ETIAS (EU) are recognized in the UK.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Remember: <strong>ESTA = USA | ETIAS = EU Schengen | ETA = UK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-auto kksr-align-right kksr-valign-bottom\"\n    data-payload='{&quot;align&quot;:&quot;right&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;340&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;valign&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;ignore&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;reference&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;class&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;count&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;legendonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;readonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;score&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;starsonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;best&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;gap&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;greet&quot;:&quot;Rate this post&quot;,&quot;legend&quot;:&quot;0\\\/5 - (0 votes)&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;22&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Can I travel to the UK with an ESTA?&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;_legend&quot;:&quot;{score}\\\/{best} - ({count} {votes})&quot;,&quot;font_factor&quot;:&quot;1.25&quot;}'>\n            \n<div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 22px; height: 22px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 22px; height: 22px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 22px; height: 22px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 22px; height: 22px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 22px; height: 22px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 0px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 22px; height: 22px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 22px; height: 22px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 22px; height: 22px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 22px; height: 22px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 22px; height: 22px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                \n\n<div class=\"kksr-legend\" style=\"font-size: 17.6px;\">\n            <span class=\"kksr-muted\">Rate this post<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many travelers confuseESTA (Electronic Travel Authorization for the USA) with similar systems in Europe. A common question is: is it possible to enter the UK with an ESTA? The answer is no. The UK is not part of the USA or the ESTA program. The UK is not part of&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":332,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-340","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-formalities"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=340"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":364,"href":"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340\/revisions\/364"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=340"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=340"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cgmna.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=340"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}