This guide was prepared with insights from travel documentation advisors and visa consultants experienced in UK entry requirements and electronic travel authorisation compliance.
Last updated: May 2026
As of 25 February 2026, the UK’s electronic travel authorisation scheme entered full enforcement, meaning travellers from 85 nationalities — including the United States, Canada, Australia, and all EU member states — are now legally required to hold an approved UK ETA before boarding any transport to the UK (GOV.UK, February 2026). The scheme, which has been rolling out since October 2023, is no longer advisory: travellers without an ETA will be denied boarding.
Understanding how long a UK ETA lasts — and precisely how long it allows you to stay per visit — is where many travellers make avoidable errors. Validity and length of stay are not the same thing. Confusing the two can lead to overstaying or, in some cases, refused entry.
This guide explains the UK ETA validity period, the stay limits that apply per visit, how to check your ETA status, and what travellers must understand before booking their trip.
What the UK ETA Is — and What It Is Not
The UK electronic travel authorisation is a digital travel permission, linked directly to the passport used during the application. It is not a visa. The distinction matters, because the rules governing each are different, and the two terms are not interchangeable.
The ETA was designed for travellers who previously did not require a visa for short stays in the UK — European nationals, US citizens, Canadians, Australians, and others. Where a visa exemption previously allowed those travellers to arrive without advance permission, the ETA now fills that role as a mandatory pre-travel check.
Crucially, the ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. It grants permission to travel — to board a plane, ferry, or train — but border officers retain full authority to assess each traveller on arrival. These are separate decisions. For a full comparison of how the ETA differs from a visa in both function and application, see our guide on UK ETA vs visa: what’s the difference.
UK ETA Validity: How Long Does It Last?
The UK ETA is valid for two years from the date it is granted, or until the passport it is linked to expires — whichever comes first (GOV.UK Immigration Rules, Appendix ETA 4.1).
This is a hard rule with no flexibility. If your passport expires 14 months after your ETA is approved, your ETA is valid for only 14 months — not two years. The ETA is digitally tied to the specific passport used in the application.
Key points on validity:
- Two-year maximum — counted from the grant date, not the application date
- Passport-linked — the ETA becomes void when the travel passport expires
- Non-transferable — a new passport requires a new ETA application
- Multiple journeys permitted — there is no cap on the number of trips taken during the validity period
- Covers UK, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man — the ETA is accepted across all Crown territories (GOV.UK ETA overview)
What Happens When You Get a New Passport?
This catches many travellers off guard. If you renew your passport while your ETA is still within its two-year window, the ETA linked to your old passport is no longer valid. You must apply for a new ETA using your new passport before travelling. There is no transfer mechanism; the application must be completed afresh.
Travellers who hold dual nationality and travel on a non-UK passport should note that the ETA is linked solely to the passport presented during the application — not to nationality in the abstract.
UK ETA Stay Limits: How Long Can You Stay Per Visit?
The UK ETA permits stays of up to six months per visit (GOV.UK ETA Apply page). This is the maximum permitted duration for any single trip. The six-month limit resets on each new entry, not across the cumulative two-year validity period.
This means a traveller with a valid two-year ETA could, in principle, enter the UK multiple times — each time staying up to six months — throughout the validity window. However, repeated long visits will attract scrutiny from border officers, who are entitled to assess whether the pattern of travel is consistent with visitor status.
Common misunderstanding:
- “Two years validity means I can stay for two years” → Not true
- “I can combine several short trips to accumulate more than six months at once” → Not how border rules work
- “My six-month stay automatically renews when I re-enter” → Not automatically; each entry is assessed
The six-month limit is a ceiling per visit, not a guaranteed entitlement. Border officers may grant a shorter leave on arrival if they judge that circumstances warrant it.
What the UK ETA Allows — and Does Not Allow
With an approved UK ETA, travellers may visit for:
- Tourism and leisure
- Visiting family or friends
- Short business meetings and conferences
- Certain permitted paid engagements
- Transit through the UK (where passport control is involved)
The UK ETA does not permit:
- Working in the UK
- Studying on a long-term course
- Accessing public funds
- Settling or residing in the UK
- Medical treatment without specific clearance
These distinctions are the same as those applied under visitor visa conditions. The ETA grants visitor-level access — nothing more. If your purpose requires permission beyond visitor status, a visa is the appropriate route. Our guide on UK ETA children and family rules covers family-travel scenarios in detail, including applications for minors.
UK ETA Cost and Processing Time in 2026
The current UK ETA fee is £20, as confirmed by the Home Office April 2026 factsheet (homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk). This is the official government fee. Third-party websites may charge significantly more; only the official UK ETA app and GOV.UK portal charge the government rate.
Processing time is typically within one working day, though GOV.UK advises allowing up to three working days (Monday to Friday). The decision is delivered by email and includes a 16-digit ETA reference number. Travellers must wait for the confirmation email before travelling — an application submitted is not the same as an ETA granted.
Application requirements:
- Valid passport (the same passport used for travel)
- Facial biometric photograph — taken via the UK ETA app or uploaded online
- Email address for correspondence
- Payment method — credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay
Applications can be made through the official UK ETA app or at gov.uk/eta/apply. Do not use sites that imitate the government service.
How to Check Your ETA Status and Reference Number
Once an ETA has been granted, travellers can verify its status online via GOV.UK. The check eta status function allows you to confirm:
- Whether an ETA exists for your passport
- When the ETA expires
- The current status of the authorisation
The ETA reference number — a 16-digit code included in the UKVI decision email — is the key identifier for your authorisation. If you need to locate or verify this number, our dedicated guide on how to use an ETA check status tool explains the process step by step.
Travellers do not need to present a printed ETA or carry documentation proving their authorisation. The ETA is linked digitally to the passport, and airlines and border officers verify it electronically. Showing your passport is sufficient.
Common Mistakes Around UK ETA Validity and Stay Limits
Based on real travel cases, travellers frequently encounter problems due to the following errors:
- Assuming two-year validity equals two years of continuous stay — it does not; each visit is capped at six months
- Applying for an ETA and then renewing their passport — the ETA becomes void; a new application is required
- Entering the UK on an expired ETA — airlines will flag this at check-in; boarding will be denied
- Booking long-term accommodation before ETA approval — approval is not guaranteed; wait for the confirmation email
- Using a third-party website charging inflated fees — the official fee is £20; no legitimate service charges multiples of this for the application itself
- Overstaying the six-month limit — this will affect future ETA applications and may result in refused entry on subsequent trips
- Travelling on a different passport than the one used for the ETA application — the ETA is not transferable between passports
Overstaying is treated seriously. Unlike some jurisdictions where short overstays attract minimal consequence, UK border records are maintained and consulted on future applications. A previous overstay is a material consideration in any subsequent ETA or visa decision.
After Approval: Practical Guidance Before You Travel
Once your ETA is confirmed, keep the following in mind:
- Travel with the same passport — the ETA is void if you present a different document at the border
- Check the expiry date carefully — if your passport expires before the two-year window closes, your ETA expires with it
- Do not book non-refundable travel before the ETA is approved — processing is usually fast, but approval is not guaranteed
- Keep the confirmation email — the 16-digit ETA reference number may be requested during airline check-in or on arrival
- Children require their own ETA — each traveller, including infants, must hold individual authorisation
For travellers planning to visit multiple times during the two-year window, note that each re-entry is assessed independently. Carry evidence of your intended itinerary, accommodation arrangements, and sufficient funds for the visit. Border officers may ask for these on arrival.
If you’re finalising travel insurance for this trip, covers the categories most relevant to short authorisation-based visits to the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How long is the UK ETA valid for?
The UK ETA is valid for two years from the date it is granted, or until the passport it is linked to expires — whichever comes first. Once the passport expires, the ETA is no longer usable, even if the two-year period has not elapsed.
Q: How long can I stay in the UK per visit with an ETA?
Each visit to the UK with an ETA permits a stay of up to six months. This limit applies per entry, not across the entire two-year validity period.
Q: Can I travel to the UK multiple times on one ETA?
Yes. The UK ETA permits multiple journeys during its validity period. There is no restriction on the number of trips, provided each stay does not exceed six months and the ETA remains valid.
Q: How do I check my ETA reference number or status?
You can check your ETA status and ETA reference number online via the official GOV.UK ETA checker at gov.uk/eta. The 16-digit reference number is also included in the confirmation email sent by UK Visas and Immigration after your application is decided.
Q: What happens if my passport expires before my ETA does?
Your ETA becomes invalid when your passport expires. You must apply for a new ETA using your new passport before travelling to the UK.
Q: Does the UK ETA guarantee entry to the UK?
No. An approved ETA permits you to travel to the UK, but entry is always subject to assessment by border officers on arrival. Approval of an ETA does not override that assessment.
Conclusion
The UK ETA validity period of two years and the six-month per-visit stay limit are fixed rules — not guidelines open to interpretation. Understanding the difference between how long your ETA lasts and how long any single visit is permitted is essential for every traveller subject to the scheme.
Since full enforcement began in February 2026, the consequences of travelling without an approved ETA, or misunderstanding its conditions, are immediate: denied boarding and no travel. Apply early using the official UK ETA app, verify your status before departure, and ensure the passport you travel with is the same one used in your application. For a broader overview of how the UK’s electronic travel authorisation scheme operates — including who is exempt and which nationalities are covered — see our complete guide on the UK ETA December 2025 update.
Written by contributors experienced in UK immigration documentation, electronic travel authorisation compliance, and UK border entry requirements.
Source: GOV.UK — Get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK | Home Office ETA Factsheet, April 2026