UK ETA Application Status Check 2026 — How to Track Your Decision

There is no live tracker for a pending UK ETA application in 2026: the Home Office emails you the decision, and most applicants get one within one working day, though it can take up to three working days. Once you have a decision, GOV.UK’s ‘Check your ETA’ service shows whether you hold a valid ETA and when it expires.

Specifically, this guide explains how your decision arrives, the possible outcomes, typical wait times, and what to do if you have not heard back after three working days.

How to check UK ETA application status in 2026

Your decision arrives by email with your 16-digit ETA reference number, and GOV.UK’s ‘Check your ETA’ service confirms whether you have an ETA and when it expires. The UK ETA app does not keep your data after you submit your application, and UKVI can’t help with ETA enquiries over the phone.

Related reading: Windsor Castle Day Trip 2026.

UK ETA decision outcomes — what each one means

Outcome	What it means	What to do next
ETA granted	Your ETA is linked digitally to the passport you applied with; the email contains your 16-digit ETA reference number	Travel on that same passport
Application rejected	Rejected for formal reasons, such as an unsuitable photo or incorrect details; you are told why	Correct the problem and apply again
ETA refused	Refused on suitability grounds, such as a criminal record or a previous refusal; you cannot appeal	Apply for a Standard Visitor visa

GOV.UK does not publish named application statuses: you receive your decision by email, usually within one working day and at most within three working days.

How long does UK ETA application take?

Most applicants get a decision within one working day, but it can take up to three working days; filling in the application takes about 10 minutes. A caseworker only reviews an application if your identity cannot be verified automatically, adverse information is found or you declare a criminal record. Therefore, plan to apply at least 7 working days before travel.

Related reading: London to Edinburgh Train Guide.

No UK ETA decision after three working days — what to do

If you have had no decision after three working days, use the UKVI webchat, which you can reach from GOV.UK’s ‘Contact UK Visas and Immigration’ page (choose ‘Outside the UK’, then ‘Electronic travel authorisation’). Have your 16-digit ETA reference number from your confirmation email ready. UKVI can’t help with ETA enquiries over the phone, and you cannot get a faster decision by applying through another website or app.

E-mail notifications — what the Home Office sends

Your ETA decision will arrive by email from UK Visas and Immigration and will contain your 16-digit ETA reference number. If you cannot find it, check your spam folder or use the ‘Check your ETA’ service on GOV.UK.

Related reading: UK ETA 2026 Rules and Cost.

Status check via gov.uk — step-by-step

1) Go to the ‘Check your ETA’ service on GOV.UK. 2) Enter the details of the passport you applied with: your nationality, passport number and date of birth. 3) See whether you have an ETA and when it expires. You do not need a reference number, but the service cannot show the status of an application that is still pending. Specifically, the gov.uk page works on any browser and does not require app installation.

Can you check UK ETA status in the app?

The UK ETA app is for applying, not tracking: it does not keep any of your data after you submit your application. Your decision arrives by email, and your ETA is linked digitally to your passport, so use GOV.UK’s ‘Check your ETA’ service if you want to confirm it.

Related reading: Airbnb vs Hotel London 2026.

What if my UK ETA is refused?

Your decision arrives by email. If your application is rejected for formal reasons, such as an unsuitable photo or incorrect details, you are told why and can apply again. If your ETA is refused, you cannot appeal and need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead. The Home Office does not publish how often a visa is granted after an ETA refusal.

UK ETA status check from another country

You can check whether you have an ETA and when it expires using the ‘Check your ETA’ service on GOV.UK, from anywhere with an internet connection. For help, use the UKVI webchat, as UKVI can’t help with ETA enquiries over the phone. Travellers in transit can therefore verify their result mid-journey if they need to.

Related reading: UK ETA Requirements 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check my UK ETA application status?

Your decision arrives by email; there is no live tracker for a pending application. Once you have a decision, GOV.UK’s ‘Check your ETA’ service shows whether you have an ETA and when it expires.

How long does UK ETA take to decide?

Most applicants get a decision within one working day, but it can take up to three working days.

What if my UK ETA is stuck in ‘Under review’?

If you have had no decision after three working days, use the UKVI webchat via GOV.UK’s ‘Contact UK Visas and Immigration’ page and have your 16-digit ETA reference number ready. UKVI can’t help with ETA enquiries over the phone.

Will I get an e-mail when UK ETA is approved?

Yes — your decision arrives by email from UK Visas and Immigration and contains your 16-digit ETA reference number. If you cannot find it, check your spam folder.

Can I check UK ETA status without the app?

Yes — GOV.UK’s ‘Check your ETA’ service works in any browser. You need the passport you applied with (your nationality, passport number and date of birth), not a reference number.

What does ‘Under review’ mean for UK ETA?

GOV.UK does not use an ‘Under review’ status. Applications are processed automatically as far as possible, and a caseworker only reviews one if your identity cannot be verified automatically, adverse information is found or you declare a criminal record. A decision can take up to three working days.

Can I track UK ETA status from outside the UK?

Yes — GOV.UK’s ‘Check your ETA’ service works from anywhere with an internet connection, including while in transit. UKVI can’t help with ETA enquiries over the phone.

How do I check if my UK ETA is still valid?

Use GOV.UK’s ‘Check your ETA’ service with the passport you applied with. It shows whether you have an ETA and when it expires; your ETA ends when that passport expires.

Final thoughts

To wrap up, ETA status checks in 2026 are simple, fast and rarely needed because your decision arrives by email. Most applicants get a decision within one working day, but it can take up to three working days. Apply about a week ahead of travel and trust the system unless something is genuinely off.

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Last updated: 19 October 2026

Additional travel preparation essentials

Before you travel, double-check three practical points that often catch first-time UK ETA applicants by surprise. First, confirm your passport’s validity: UK border officials verify that your passport will remain valid for the duration of your intended stay, and your ETA ends when your passport expires. Second, prepare your accommodation address: even though the ETA application does not require a hotel reservation, border officers may ask where you’ll be staying, so have a confirmation email or address ready on your phone. Third, carry proof of onward or return travel: a printed flight itinerary or train ticket showing you’ll leave the UK within the permitted 6-month window helps avoid unnecessary questioning at passport control.

Frequently asked questions

How long does ETA approval usually take?

Most applicants get a decision within one working day, but it can take up to 3 working days. Apply at least 4-7 days before your flight to leave buffer for edge cases — additional security checks, biometric verification re-runs, technical delays. Last-minute applications may be approved in time, but if there’s any delay you risk being denied boarding, so don’t leave it to the final 24 hours unless there’s genuinely no other option.

What documents should I keep accessible during my trip?

Always carry your passport (in original, not photocopy), the ETA approval email printed or saved offline on your phone, proof of accommodation for your first night, return travel confirmation, and a backup payment method. While the ETA is digitally linked to your passport (no separate document needed), having the approval email accessible can resolve disputes quickly if border systems are temporarily slow or offline.

Where can I check the latest UK ETA policy updates?

The official UK government ETA portal is the only authoritative source for fees, eligible nationalities, and procedural changes. Other websites may charge more than the official £20 fee and may show outdated information, so avoid sites that imitate government services.