Quick answer
Use the official ETA check to confirm that you have an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) and when it expires. You need the passport you used when you applied. The check cannot be used if you recently applied and have not yet received an ETA. It does not replace your passport, and it does not decide whether you will be admitted when you arrive.
What the check is for
The check is for travellers who need an ETA to visit the UK. It shows whether you have an ETA and when that ETA expires. It is the quickest way to confirm the status of an ETA you already hold.
Not everyone needs an ETA. The official guidance lists several groups who do not need one, including people with a UK visa and people with permission to live, work or study in the UK, such as settled or pre-settled status. If that describes you, the check is not the step you need. Start with the requirements guide instead.
What you need before you start
The official check asks for the passport you used when you applied for your ETA. Have that passport with you, and make sure it is the document you will travel on.
The official privacy notice says the details entered into the check service, such as your passport number and date of birth, are kept for up to 30 minutes from your last activity. Our guide to how the UK ETA uses your personal information explains the wider retention periods.
What the check can confirm
For an ETA that has been granted, the check can confirm two things:
- whether you have an ETA; and
- when that ETA expires, so you can see whether it will still be valid for your journey.
The Immigration Rules set the length of an ETA. An ETA is valid for two years from the date it is granted, or until the passport used in the application expires, whichever is sooner. A long-looking expiry date can still end earlier if the passport ends first.
Why the passport matters
The Immigration Rules say an ETA permits travel only where the holder travels on the passport named in the application. That is why the official check asks for the passport you used.
If your passport has expired or changed, the official guidance says you will need to apply for a new ETA. A check against the old passport does not tell you about a new one. For a fuller explanation, read our guide to ETA validity and new passports.
Why a recent application may not appear
A common surprise is a check that finds nothing for an application made only days ago. The official guidance says you cannot use the service if you recently applied for an ETA and have not received one yet. Until a decision is made and an ETA is granted, there is nothing for the check to confirm.
If you have not had a decision after three working days, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). A pending application is not a granted ETA, so do not treat it as permission to travel. Our guide to ETA processing times covers what to expect while you wait.
When the ETA has expired
If your ETA has expired, the official guidance says you can apply for a new ETA. Plan the new application before your travel date rather than close to it.
What to do if the details differ
If the check does not match what you expected, work through these points:
- Confirm that you are using the passport you applied with. A check against a different passport will not show your ETA.
- If you applied recently and have not received a decision, check the timing points above before you worry.
- If you have had no decision after three working days, contact UKVI.
- If your passport has changed or expired, plan a new application on the passport you will travel with.
Practical checks before you travel
- Use the passport you will travel on, and confirm it is the one named in your ETA application.
- Run the check and note the expiry date. Make sure the ETA will still be valid on your travel date.
- If you applied recently, do not rely on the pending application. Wait for a granted ETA before you book.
- Keep the passport with you at the airport, because the ETA permits travel only on that document.
- Remember that the holder will need to obtain permission to enter on arrival in the UK. The ETA does not replace that step.
Common misunderstandings
“The check is my permission to enter”
It is not. The check confirms the ETA. The Immigration Rules say the holder still needs to obtain permission to enter on arrival.
“A pending application counts as an ETA”
It does not. The check cannot confirm a pending application, so it is not a granted ETA.
“My old passport’s ETA covers my new passport”
The ETA is linked to the passport named in the application. A new passport needs its own ETA where one is required.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the check if I have settled status?
The official guidance says you do not need an ETA if you have permission to live, work or study in the UK, including settled or pre-settled status. Confirm your position before you travel.
Can I use the check before my application has been decided?
Not if you recently applied and have not received an ETA. The official guidance says the service cannot be used in that situation.
What if the passport I applied with has been replaced?
The check needs the passport you used when you applied. If that passport has expired or changed, the official guidance says you will need to apply for a new ETA.
Next steps
If you have an ETA, run the check before you book and again before you travel. If you need an ETA and do not have one yet, you can start the application now.