How Long Is the Eta Valid For

For the UK, an ETA is valid for two years or until the passport linked to it expires, whichever happens first. It can cover more than one journey during that period.

That answer applies to the UK system only. Canada uses an eTA, and Europe uses ETIAS. Their validity periods are different, so checking the right country before you travel matters.

How long is the UK ETA valid for?

A UK ETA lasts for:

• Two years, or
• Until the linked passport expires

The earlier date ends the authorization. For example, if your UK ETA was approved in March 2026 but your passport expires in November 2026, the ETA ends when the passport expires. It does not continue for the full two years.

The ETA is connected to one specific passport. It isn't a general travel permit that you can move between documents.

For families, this means each traveler needs to check their own passport and authorization. A parent’s ETA does not cover a child, and one family member’s passport change does not automatically affect the others.

A UK ETA can be used for multiple journeys to the UK while it remains valid. Each stay can last for up to six months at a time, subject to the rules that apply to the traveler’s trip.

So, if your passport stays the same and the two-year period has not ended, you normally do not need a new UK ETA for every visit.

A new passport means a new UK ETA

A UK ETA stays tied to the passport used in the application. If that passport expires or is replaced, the existing ETA cannot simply be carried over to the new document.

You need a new UK ETA for the new passport.

This can catch travelers out when they renew a passport before a planned holiday. Even if the old UK ETA still appears to have time left on it, it was issued against the old passport details.

Before you travel, compare:

1. The passport you plan to use at the border
2. The passport connected to your UK ETA
3. The ETA’s expiry date

If the passport numbers do not match, treat that as a sign that you need to apply again. The same check applies to children who have received new passports since a family application was made.

A passport change is different from a simple change to travel plans. You may be able to use the same valid UK ETA for another journey if you are still using the linked passport. A new passport is the key reason to start a new application.

How many UK trips can you make during the ETA validity period?

A UK ETA is designed to allow multiple journeys during its valid period. It is not limited to one entry or one holiday.

For example, a traveler might use the same valid ETA for:

• A family holiday
• A later visit to relatives
• Another trip before the authorization expires

Each visit can be for up to six months at a time. The two-year validity period does not mean you can stay in the UK continuously for two years. It covers the period in which the authorization may be used for separate journeys.

Check the expiry date before each trip, especially if you travel near the end of the two-year period. An ETA that was valid for an earlier visit may no longer be valid for a later one.

UK ETA, Canada eTA and ETIAS: the validity periods are different

Search results often place these travel authorizations side by side. That can make the names and time limits seem interchangeable. They are separate systems.

UK ETA

A UK ETA is valid for two years or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first.

It can cover multiple UK journeys. Stays can be up to six months at a time.

Canadian eTA

A Canadian eTA is valid for up to five years or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first.

That is longer than the UK period, but the passport rule is similar: the authorization is connected to the passport used with the application. If that passport expires, the eTA ends sooner.

ETIAS for Europe

ETIAS is a different travel authorization for travel to Europe. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

It should not be treated as a UK ETA or a Canadian eTA. If your trip includes more than one country, check each country’s requirement separately.

The simple comparison is:

The word “ETA” in a search does not tell you which country’s rules apply. Start with the destination, then check the authorization linked to that destination.

How to tell if your eTA is still valid

First, identify which authorization you have:

• UK ETA for the UK
• Canadian eTA for Canada
• ETIAS for eligible European travel

Then check the passport details connected to it. The passport you carry must be the same passport used for the authorization. A valid date alone is not enough if the passport has since expired or changed.

For a UK ETA, the basic check is:

• Was it issued less than two years ago?
• Has the linked passport expired?
• Are you traveling with that same passport?

If the answer to the second question is yes, or the answer to the third is no, you should not assume the old ETA will work.

Travelers often search for “Check eTA status with passport number” or “Check ETA UK.” Those searches may lead to different systems, so avoid using a Canada check for a UK trip or treating a European authorization as a UK one. Use the status-check or application service for the country you are visiting, and enter the passport details connected to that authorization.

If you are unsure whether your document is a UK ETA, a Canadian eTA or ETIAS, go back to the approval information you received and check the destination named there. The spelling also matters: ETA commonly refers to the UK authorization, while eTA is used for Canada. The names look close, but the rules are not the same.

When to apply for a new ETA

You need to look at a new application when:

• Your passport has expired
• You have been issued a new passport
• Your existing UK ETA has reached the end of its two-year period
• Your Canadian eTA has reached its five-year limit
• Your ETIAS has reached its three-year limit

For the UK, a new passport requires a new ETA even if the old authorization has not reached its listed expiry date.

If you are asking “UK ETA how long does it take?”, do not rely on a general number unless it is shown in the current UK application guidance. The available information here establishes the validity period, not a guaranteed processing time. Check the relevant country’s current application requirements before making plans.

It is also sensible to check the passport first. Applying for an ETA with an old passport, then receiving a new one, can leave you with an authorization connected to a document you will no longer use.

Can you apply for an ETA more than once?

A new application may be needed when the passport changes or when the current authorization expires. That is different from submitting duplicate applications for the same passport without a clear reason.

The available rules confirm that a UK traveler needs a new ETA after a passport expires or changes. They do not establish a general rule for making repeated or duplicate applications while an existing ETA is still valid.

If you think something went wrong with an application, check the current instructions for that country rather than submitting several applications automatically. Keep the passport details consistent and make sure you are using the correct system:

• UK travel: UK ETA
• Canada travel: Canadian eTA
• European travel covered by the scheme: ETIAS

For a family, check each person separately. A parent may need a new authorization after a passport renewal even if the children’s documents and authorizations are unchanged.

Quick validity checklist before you travel

Use this short check before booking or leaving:

• Name the destination: Is this a UK, Canada or European trip?
• Name the authorization: Is it a UK ETA, Canadian eTA or ETIAS?
• Check the expiry rule: Two years for the UK, up to five years for Canada, or up to three years for ETIAS.
• Check the passport date: Has the linked passport expired?
• Check the passport number: Are you traveling with the same passport used in the application?
• Check every traveler: Include children and other family members.
• Check the current status: Use the relevant country’s status or application service.
• Apply again if needed: A new passport means a new UK ETA.

Before you book or travel, look at the passport linked to your authorization and confirm the correct ETA or eTA status for the country you are visiting.