How Long Does an Eta Last Uk

A UK ETA usually lasts two years. It ends sooner if the passport linked to it expires. During that time, it can cover multiple journeys to the UK, but it does not let you stay in the UK continuously for two years. Each stay can be for up to six months at a time, according to the April 2026 ETA factsheet.

That difference matters. Think of the ETA as permission to travel to the UK more than once during its validity period. It is not a two-year stay permit.

How long a UK ETA lasts

The basic rule is:

• Validity period: two years
• Earlier end date: the expiry date of the linked passport
• Number of journeys: multiple journeys during that period
• Length of each stay: up to six months at a time

So, if your passport has more than two years left when your ETA is issued, the ETA will normally last for two years.

If your passport expires in eight months, the ETA will only last for those eight months. The passport date cuts the ETA short, even though the standard validity period is two years.

The authorisation is tied to your passport details. It isn't a separate travel document that stays usable on its own.

The passport expiry rule: which date comes first

The date that comes first controls how long your ETA remains valid.

For example:

• Your ETA is approved on 1 June 2026.
• Your passport expires on 30 September 2027.
• Two years from approval would be 1 June 2028.
• Your ETA ends on 30 September 2027 because the passport expires first.

If your passport expires after the two-year point, the ETA ends when the two years are up instead.

This is the part many travellers miss. Checking only the ETA approval date isn't enough. You also need to look at the passport used in the application.

How many times you can travel with one ETA

A valid UK ETA allows multiple journeys to the UK while it remains active. You don't normally need a separate ETA for every trip within that period.

For instance, one valid ETA may cover a visit in July, another trip in November, and a further journey the following spring — as long as:

1. The ETA has not reached its two-year end date.
2. The linked passport has not expired.
3. You travel with that same passport.
4. You meet the other current requirements for your visit.

The multiple-entry feature doesn't guarantee admission at the border. It also doesn't decide whether you qualify for an ETA in the first place. Those are separate questions.

ETA validity versus the length of each UK stay

This is the key distinction:

The ETA can last for two years, but one stay in the UK can last up to six months at a time.

Those are two different clocks.

The two-year period tells you how long you can use the ETA for repeat journeys. The six-month limit relates to each individual stay. Leaving and returning may mean you are making another journey under the same ETA, but it does not turn the ETA into permission for one continuous two-year visit.

A simple example:

• Your ETA is valid from June 2026 until June 2028.
• You visit the UK in August 2026 and stay for three months.
• You return in March 2027 for another visit.
• You may make further journeys while the ETA and linked passport remain valid.
• No single visit should be treated as lasting for the whole two-year ETA period.

The six-month detail comes from the supplied April 2026 factsheet. The ETA validity rule alone does not answer every question about visit permission, immigration status, or the terms that may apply to a particular traveller.

What happens if your passport expires or changes

If the passport linked to your UK ETA expires, the ETA ends at the same time. It doesn't continue for the rest of the original two-year period.

A new passport can also cause a problem even if the old ETA's two-year period has not finished. Since the ETA is linked to the passport used in the application, it does not simply move across to a replacement passport.

Before travelling with a new passport, check the UK government's current guidance and confirm what you need to do. In practice, you should expect to need a new ETA for the new passport rather than relying on an authorisation attached to the old one.

The same caution applies if your passport details change. Don't assume that an ETA approved for one document will be recognised against another.

How to check whether your UK ETA is still valid

Use the UK government's official ETA checking service to check your status. Have the passport you plan to use for travel available, because the ETA is connected to that document.

Check these details before a trip:

• The ETA's current status
• The passport number or details linked to it
• The passport expiry date
• Whether you are travelling with that same passport
• Whether the ETA still covers your planned travel date

The checker is especially useful if you applied a long time ago, renewed your passport, or are unsure when the two-year period ends.

Search for the official Gov UK ETA checking service rather than relying on an old email, a saved screenshot, or a third-party website. An approval message may show that an ETA was granted, but your current passport details still need to match.

Do you need a new ETA for a future trip?

You may not need one if your existing ETA is still valid, your passport has not changed, and the planned journey falls within the rules for your visit.

You will generally need to look at getting a new ETA if:

• The two-year validity period has ended.
• Your passport expired.
• You received a new passport.
• The ETA is linked to a different travel document.
• The government checker does not show a valid authorisation for the passport you will use.

The two-year rule does not tell you who must have an ETA. Eligibility can depend on a traveller's nationality and circumstances. For example, the supplied information does not confirm the specific requirements for US citizens. Check the current UK government eligibility guidance before you travel.

The same applies to questions about UK visit-visa rules in 2026. The available information confirms the ETA's duration, repeat-journey feature, and six-month-at-a-time stay detail. It does not set out every 2026 visa rule or explain every type of visit.

Paying for and applying for an ETA

The April 2026 ETA factsheet states that a UK ETA currently costs £20.

An application is made for a specific traveller and passport. Make sure the passport details are entered correctly and that you plan to travel with that document. A small mistake can create trouble later if the approved ETA does not match the passport shown for travel.

The application cost and two-year validity do not replace the need to check your personal travel position. You may still need to confirm:

• Whether your nationality requires an ETA
• Whether a visa or another form of permission applies instead
• How long you can stay for the type of visit you plan
• Whether your passport will remain valid for the journey
• Whether a new passport means a new ETA is needed

Before booking or boarding, check your ETA status and passport details through the official UK government service. That final check helps confirm that the authorisation is still valid for the document you will actually use.