UK eTA Validity

A UK eTA is an electronic authorisation for eligible visitors travelling to the United Kingdom for short stays. A UK eTA remains valid for up to 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. During this period, UK eTA holder can visit UK multiple times.

The passport used for travel and the passport used for the application must be the same.

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Length of Stay Allowed

Traveller can stay in the UK for up to 6 months per visit for eligible travel purposes. Traveller must leave the country before the permitted stay ends.

Can I extend my stay in the UK with an eTA?
No. You must leave the UK before your permitted stay ends. An eTA does not allow you to extend your visit.

Is there a limit to how many times I can enter the UK on one eTA?
There is no fixed limit on the number of entries, but each stay must not exceed 6 months and you must not use the eTA to effectively live in the UK

UK eTA Allowed Purposes

What you CAN do with a UK eTA

Tourism & Visits: Visit family or friends.
Business: Attend permitted meetings, events, and training.
Short-Term Study: Take eligible short courses.
Creative Work: Work for up to 3 months under the Creative Worker concession, if eligible.
Paid Engagements: Attend approved paid professional engagements.
Transit: Transit through the UK under permitted conditions.

What you can’t do with a UK eTA

Work: Take regular employment or work as self-employed.
Claim Public Funds: Access UK public benefits.
Live in the UK: Use repeated visits to live in the UK.
Get Married: Marry or form a civil partnership.

Does the 2-year validity start from the approval date or the first entry?
It starts from the date the eTA is approved, not from your first entry into the UK.

What Happens When the UK eTA Expires?

If the UK eTA expires, traveller cannot use it to travel to the UK. They will need to apply for a new eTA before travelling.

Content Disclaimer: Although this information was last updated in , we recommend confirming the latest requirements with the relevant government authorities, embassies, and airlines before finalizing your travel plans.