United Kingdom ETA
Required for passport holders from United States of America
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About the United Kingdom ETA
The United Kingdom ETA is an official electronic travel authorization that allows eligible travelers to enter the country without a visa for short stays.
The travel authorization allows visiting the UK for tourism, meeting family and friends, business or short-term study, certain types of work (e.g., Creative Worker visa concession), or transit.
United Kingdom ETA details
Processing time
Most decisions arrive in about 19 hours.
Validity
Valid for 2 years. Each stay up to 6 months.
Entries
Multiple entry — you can enter United Kingdom as often as you like while the document is valid.
How to apply
Fully online — complete your application from any device before you travel to United Kingdom.
On arrival
Your document is linked to your passport. Travel on the same passport you applied with.
What you’ll need
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the planned entry date
- Applicant's face photograph
Available document types
-
Multiple entry – tourism (2 years)
Valid for 2 years · stay up to 6 months
-
Multiple entry – business (2 years)
Valid for 2 years · stay up to 6 months
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Multiple entry – transit (2 years)
Tribal Immigration is a private company, not a government agency. We prepare, check and submit your application — you can also apply directly with the government.
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United Kingdom ETA
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19 hours
Processing time
99%
Approval rate
6 months
Max stay
24/7
Customer support
How it works
From application to approval in 3 steps
Step 1
Gather your information
Have your passport and travel details at hand before you start your application.
Step 2
Apply online
Complete our guided form in minutes — for you and your travel companions — with checks that catch errors before you submit.
Step 3
Get approved and travel
Once approved, your document lands straight in your inbox, ready for your trip.
Eligible countries
Search your country to check whether you can apply for the United Kingdom ETA
Customer reviews
Travellers rate Tribal Immigration 4.2 out of 5 across 2,727 reviews on Trustpilot.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a UK ETA?
You can easily access this information by selecting your nationality in our eligibility checker available at the top of the website.
Do I need a UK ETA if I hold British citizenship (dual citizenship)?
According to the information available on the official government website, individuals with dual British or Irish citizenship do not need an ETA. If you hold a valid British or Irish passport, you may enter the UK. If your passport has expired, please contact the nearest embassy or consulate to renew it.
Can I work in the United Kingdom with an ETA?
No, unless you are doing a permitted paid engagement in the United Kingdom or event/work on the Creative Worker visa concession.
What documents are required for the UK ETA?
To proceed with a UK ETA, you will be asked to provide a colour copy of the passport page with your photo and personal details – the copy must be clear and well-lit. We also require a recent photo of the applicant (it can be taken with a phone). Make sure all passport details are clearly visible – blurry or overexposed images may be rejected by the immigration office.
How long does it take to process a UK ETA?
The general processing time is 19 hours. However, UK ETA applications submitted on our website also undergo checks by our specialists, which may take some additional time.
How can I check the status of my application?
To check the status of your application, you need a Passporta account. Please use this link to log in to your existing profile or create a new one.
How can I check the status of my ETA on the government website?
You may verify the validity of your ETA using the “Check your ETA” tool on the UK government website. Simply enter your nationality, passport number, passport expiry date, and date of birth. If your application has been successfully finalized, you will see the exact validity date of your UK ETA.
My application status shows "Finished" – where is my ETA?
Once your application status shows "Finished", the ETA will be sent to your email address as a PDF attachment. Please check your inbox. Remember to check your SPAM or junk folder as well.
How will I receive my United Kingdom ETA after approval?
The result of the ETA to the United Kingdom will be delivered to the applicant's inbox. The document comes as a PDF file.
I accidentally applied for a visa, but I only need a UK ETA – what should I do?
If you applied with Passporta and hold citizenship of one of the countries listed above, then you have applied for the correct document. It is not a traditional visa but an electronic authorization required for travel. The UK ETA is issued as a multiple-entry authorisation and remains valid for 2 years from approval or until your passport expires (whichever comes first).
What should I do if my ETA has been rejected?
Unfortunately, the Immigration Office has determined that you do not meet the requirements for the UK ETA. In this case, you should contact the nearest British embassy or consulate to apply for a traditional visa.