UK ETA validity: Stay duration and entry limits explained

Your ETA is digitally linked to the passport you applied with. If that passport expires, the ETA becomes invalid, even if you still had validity left.

iVisa warns travelers about this common oversight and helps you reapply quickly once they receive a new passport.[collapse-start]

[collapse-start]Can I visit the UK multiple times with an ETA?

Yes. There’s no limit on how many times you enter, but spending too much time in the UK could raise questions at the border.

iVisa can advise travelers on their travel purpose and which visa they require, especially those who make frequent or extended trips. If you appear like a long-term resident without the proper visa your UK ETA may be canceled and a travel ban could be imposed.

Some remote work for an overseas employer is usually acceptable, as long as you’re not living in the United Kingdom and the main reason for your visit is tourism, business, or other allowed activities.

iVisa helps travelers evaluate their situation to ensure compliance with UK regulations.

The UK ETA is usually valid for 2 years from the date it’s granted, not from your travel date. If your passport expires sooner, the ETA automatically ends on that earlier date. iVisa helps you understand this timeline before you apply, so you can choose the best moment to submit your application and get the maximum usable validity out of your ETA.

[collapse-start]What happens if I don’t use my UK ETA straight away?

You don’t have to travel immediately after approval. Your ETA remains valid throughout its 2-year window, even if your first trip happens months later. However, that “clock” is still ticking. iVisa often advises travelers to apply close enough to their planned trip that they don’t waste too much of the validity period before they actually start using it.

[collapse-start]Can I hold a valid UK ETA and still be refused entry?

Yes. A valid ETA lets you travel to the UK, but border officers still make the final decision on entry. If they believe you’re staying too often, exceeding the spirit of the 6-month limit, or using the ETA like a residence permit, they can refuse entry.

Visa helps you understand the correct activities for the UK ETA, so you can decide if you need a visa instead.

The UK doesn’t publish a fixed “X days out, X days in” rule for ETA holders. However, spending most of your time in the UK with only short breaks abroad may suggest you’re effectively living there. iVisa often recommends balancing your stays and keeping documentation of strong ties to your home country (job, family) to support showing genuine visitor intent.

Your UK ETA validity (the 2-year period) is separate from rules in Ireland or the Schengen Area, but your overall travel pattern can still be considered by border officers. For example, constantly moving between the UK and nearby countries might look like de facto residence.

iVisa helps travelers think about their broader itinerary, not just individual trips, when planning under an ETA. The expert team can also help you apply for other travel documents, if required.

Generally, you don’t need to reapply until your ETA is close to expiring or your passport changes. Applying too early won’t “stack” extra validity.

iVisa helps you pick a sensible reapplication moment so you’re not shortening your overall usable time or paying earlier than necessary, especially if your passport renewal is coming up soon.

No, you cannot “renew” a UK ETA before it expires. Once your ETA is approaching its expiry, you must reapply for a new one rather than extend or renew the existing authorisation.

Remember:

• A UK ETA is valid for up to 2 years from the date it is issued, or until the passport it’s linked to expires (whichever happens first).
• The ETA cannot be extended or renewed like a visa. Instead, when it’s about to expire (or has already expired), you simply submit a new ETA application through the official government or via iVisa.
• Your ETA is digitally linked to the passport you used for the application. If you renew your passport before your ETA expires, you’ll also need to apply for a new ETA.

Always check your ETA’s expiry date well before travel plans (especially if your passport is also nearing expiry) so you can apply for a new ETA in plenty of time and avoid any issues boarding transport to the UK.

You can check the validity on the official UK government website with the passport number your first applied with.

If key details such as your name or gender marker change, or you receive a new passport, your existing ETA may no longer match your identity documents.

In practice, that means you should treat the old ETA as no longer usable. iVisa guides you through reapplying with your updated details quickly to avoid problems at check-in or at the UK border.

Using the full 6-month allowance isn’t automatically a problem, but repeatedly doing so with short gaps abroad may raise questions about whether you’re truly a visitor.

Visa helps frequent travelers assess whether their patterns might be seen as long-term residence, and when it might be wiser to explore a different visa route instead of relying solely on ETA validity.