UK ETA Validity: How Long Is the Authorisation Valid?

The rule in one table

This is the core of UK ETA validity: a fixed window of two years, shortened only when the passport ends sooner. The authorisation does not need to be used within a set number of days after approval, as long as the validity period has not ended.

How long does UK ETA last when the passport expires soon?

The passport date matters more than most travellers expect. If a passport expires in 14 months, the authorisation ends in 14 months, not in two years. A passport with 5 years left gives the full two years.

For that reason, anyone who plans to travel often should check the expiry date before applying. Renewing the passport first avoids paying for an authorisation that stops early. That is the practical answer to how long does UK ETA last: the shorter of the two dates.

How long is the UK ETA good for, trip by trip?

This is how long is the UK ETA good for in practice: an approved ETA can be used for as many visits as needed during its validity period. Each stay can last up to 6 months, and the permission covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A traveller who visits London in spring, Edinburgh in summer and Cardiff in winter needs only one authorisation.

The permission is for tourism, family visits, business activities of short duration and short courses. It does not allow working or settling in the country, and it never guarantees entry: the border officer takes the final decision on arrival. To see who must apply at all, read the guide on who needs an ETA for the UK.

What can end an ETA before two years?

• A new passport. The ETA is linked to one passport. After renewal, the authorisation connected to the old document no longer applies and a new application is needed.
• An expired passport. The authorisation stops on the day the passport expires, even if less than two years have passed.
• A change in the traveller's situation. For example, a stay of more than 6 months, or work, calls for a visa rather than an ETA. The government service Check if you need a UK visa shows which document fits.

Children are in the same position as adults: each child holds an individual authorisation tied to a personal passport, and children's passports often have a shorter life, which shortens the ETA accordingly.

When to apply again

How long is the UK ETA good for before a renewal? Until the validity period is over, or until a passport change, which is when a new application is needed.

Apply at least three working days before departure: most decisions arrive within a day, but some take up to 3 working days.

The UK government fee is £20 (it rose from £16 on 8 April 2026). With the assistance service, the price is €83 per traveller, including the fee, the check of the file, support during the validity period and a free duplicate. The cost of a renewal is detailed on the UK ETA cost page, and the status of an application can be followed as explained in check ETA status UK. A direct application remains possible on gov.uk/eta/apply.

Checklist before booking a trip

1. Look at the passport expiry date and compare it with the travel dates.
2. Confirm that the passport will be the one used at the airport, ferry port or station.
3. Check the authorisation status on the government service Check your ETA.
4. If the authorisation will have ended, start a new application early.

Airlines, ferry companies and rail operators verify the authorisation before boarding, so a lapsed ETA is discovered at check-in, not in London. More rules are listed on gov.uk/eta.