How long does a UK ETA take?

Typical decision times

Most people hear back quickly. Even so, GOV.UK advises allowing three working days for a decision, and that's the figure to plan around.

The decision is emailed to the address given in the application. Once your ETA is granted you can travel: it's linked to your passport electronically, and the airline, ferry or rail operator checks it when you board.

Count working days, not calendar days. Three working days from a Friday afternoon takes you to the middle of the following week, and a bank holiday pushes it back further.

What "further checks" means

Some applications are held for further checks, which means they take longer than usual. Being held doesn't, by itself, mean the answer will be no.

If your application is held:

• there's usually nothing to do but wait for the decision email
• check your inbox and spam folder, because the Home Office may contact you if it needs more information
• don't send a second application for the same passport to try to speed things up, as it costs another £20 and is unlikely to help
• if your travel date is close, look at your booking's change terms before the day, not on it

There's no official fast-track for ETA decisions. The delays you can control are the ones caused by mistakes, so the best approach is to send a complete, accurate application the first time.

When to apply

Apply as soon as a trip to the UK is likely. An ETA lasts two years (or until your passport expires) and covers repeat visits, so applying early costs nothing extra. It isn't tied to a particular trip, so there's no need to wait until you've booked.

Two checks before you apply:

• Your passport's expiry date. If it runs out before or soon after your trip, renew first. The ETA ends when the passport does, and a new passport needs a new ETA.
• Everyone who's travelling. Each person needs their own ETA, including babies. A family trip can stall because one child's application was forgotten.

Applying for several travellers

Each traveller's application is decided separately, so a family or group can get decisions at different times. One person being held for further checks doesn't hold up the others, but it can leave you with one missing ETA close to departure. Apply for everyone at the same time, as early as you can, and keep a note of who has received a decision.

A simple timeline

Travelling at short notice

If you're travelling in the next day or two, apply immediately in the app or at GOV.UK, for £20. Many people do get a decision in time, but nobody can promise it.

Without a granted ETA or another valid permission, the airline, ferry or rail operator can refuse to let you board. An application that's still being processed isn't permission to travel.

1. Have everything ready before you start (our documents checklist lists it).
2. Check the passport number and email address carefully before you pay.
3. Read your booking's change and cancellation terms in case the decision doesn't arrive in time.

After the decision

If your ETA is granted, keep the email for reference. If it's refused, you'll be told why. There's no right of appeal, but you can apply for a visa instead. Our guide to ETA refusals explains the options.