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

Key Takeaways

UK ETA application status check 2026: how to verify your decision via email, the UK ETA app and the gov.uk portal — average wait times and what each status means.

To check your UK ETA application status in 2026, open the UK ETA app, log in with your reference number, and tap ‘My applications’ — alternatively, visit gov.uk/uk-eta and use the e-mail confirmation link sent at submission. Furthermore, the Home Office automatically e-mails three status updates: ‘Application received’ (within 5 minutes of payment), ‘Under review’ (if escalated), and ‘Decision made’ (typically within 3 working days). Therefore, status checks are rarely necessary because the Home Office push system delivers updates first.

Specifically, this guide explains the four UK ETA application statuses, what each means, average wait times, and what to do if your status is stuck in ‘Under review’ for more than 5 working days. Indeed, the UK Home Office processed 7.4 million ETA applications in 2025 with 96 % approved within 24 hours (UK Home Office, January 2026). Moreover, the average successful applicant never had to manually check status — they got an e-mail on day 1 or 2.

uk eta application status check 2026 UK ETA Application Status Check 2026

How to check UK ETA application status in 2026

Three official routes: 1) UK ETA mobile app ‘My applications’ tab; 2) gov.uk/uk-eta status-check link in your confirmation e-mail; 3) calling +44 (0) 300 790 6268 (£1.99/min). Furthermore, the app shows real-time status; the e-mail link refreshes once per hour. Therefore, the app is the fastest free method.

Related reading: Windsor Castle Day Trip 2026.

UK ETA status meanings — what each one tells you

Status	Meaning	Typical timing	Action needed
Application received	Submission complete, payment cleared	5 min after pay	Wait
Under automated review	System checking criminal/biometric data	0–48 h	Wait
Under manual review	Flagged — agent reviewing	2–5 working days	Wait, may receive doc request
Decision made	Approved or refused	Decision e-mail sent	Read e-mail
Approved	ETA granted, e-mail with PDF	Within 3 working days	Travel
Refused	Rejected with reason letter	Within 3 working days	Read refusal letter

Source: UK Home Office UK ETA process documentation, January 2026.

How long does UK ETA application take?

Average decision time was 22 hours in Q1 2026; 96 % decided within 24 hours, 99 % within 3 working days (UK Home Office, March 2026). However, manual reviews triggered by criminal-record disclosure or biometric flags can extend to 5 working days. Therefore, plan to apply at least 7 working days before travel.

Related reading: London to Edinburgh Train Guide.

‘Under review’ for too long — when to escalate

Contact UK Home Office if your application is in ‘Under review’ status for more than 5 working days — call +44 300 790 6268 or use gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-uk. Specifically, agents can flag time-critical applications for fast-track review. Indeed, escalation reduced average resolution from 8 days to 2 days for 89 % of escalated cases in 2025 (UK Home Office, March 2026). Furthermore, mention your flight date in the first message — fast-track is automatic if travel is within 48 hours.

E-mail notifications — what the Home Office sends

The Home Office sends up to four e-mails per ETA application: payment confirmation, application received, review escalation (if applicable), and decision. Furthermore, e-mails come from no-reply@homeoffice.gov.uk — whitelist this address before applying. Notably, around 12 % of decision e-mails get caught in spam filters in 2025 (UK Home Office user-experience report, January 2026).

Related reading: UK ETA 2026 Rules and Cost.

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

1) Open your application confirmation e-mail. 2) Click the ‘Check status’ link. 3) Enter your reference number, passport number and date of birth. 4) View status with timestamp. Specifically, the gov.uk page works on any browser and does not require app installation. Therefore, gov.uk is the fallback when the app malfunctions.

Status check via the UK ETA app — best practice

Open the app, tap ‘My Applications’, and tap your application — status updates instantly upon refresh. Furthermore, the app sends push notifications by default — turn them on to skip manual checks. Indeed, 78 % of UK ETA users in 2026 enable push notifications (UK Home Office app analytics, March 2026).

Related reading: Airbnb vs Hotel London 2026.

What if my UK ETA is refused?

Refusal e-mails arrive within 3 working days and include a reason letter. You can apply again immediately with corrected information, or formally appeal via gov.uk if the refusal seems erroneous. Specifically, around 4 % of UK ETA applications were refused in 2025; of those, 18 % were re-granted on appeal or re-application (UK Home Office, March 2026). Therefore, refusal is not the end of the road for most applicants.

UK ETA status check from another country

Both the UK ETA app and gov.uk status check work from anywhere in the world. Furthermore, the +44 (0) 300 790 6268 helpline accepts international calls, charged at international + £1.99/min. Therefore, travelers in transit can verify status mid-journey if needed.

Related reading: UK ETA Requirements 2026.

Expert tip — UK ETA helpdesk supervisor

“The single biggest reason status checks fail is mistyped reference numbers — copy them directly from the confirmation e-mail and double-check the digit-letter combos.” — Lucy Marshall, UK Home Office helpdesk team lead, BBC News interview, 28 February 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check my UK ETA application status?

Open the UK ETA app, log in, and tap ‘My applications’. Furthermore, the gov.uk status-check link in your confirmation e-mail also works.

How long does UK ETA take to decide?

Average 22 hours; 96 % within 24 hours, 99 % within 3 working days.

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

Contact +44 (0) 300 790 6268 or use gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-uk if status hasn’t changed in 5 working days.

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

Yes — from no-reply@homeoffice.gov.uk. Therefore, whitelist this address before applying.

Can I check UK ETA status without the app?

Yes — gov.uk/uk-eta status check works on any browser using your reference number, passport number and date of birth.

What does ‘Under review’ mean for UK ETA?

Either automated checks are still running (under 48 hours typical) or a manual review has been triggered. Specifically, manual review extends to 2-5 working days.

Can I track UK ETA status from outside the UK?

Yes — the app and gov.uk both work globally. Furthermore, the +44 helpline accepts international calls.

Final thoughts

To wrap up, UK ETA application status checks in 2026 are simple, fast and rarely needed because the Home Office’s e-mail and app push notifications keep applicants informed. Furthermore, status remains in ‘Under review’ for under 5 working days for 99 % of applications. Therefore, applicants should apply 7 working days before travel and trust the system unless something is genuinely off.

More UK travel guides

Last updated: 2026-05-09

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: while the ETA itself requires a biometric e-passport, UK border officials also verify that your passport will remain valid for the duration of your intended stay. 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 applications are approved within minutes to a few hours, though the UK Home Office advises allowing up to 3 working days for processing. 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 absolutely necessary.

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 biometrically 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. Avoid third-party sites that often charge inflated fees and may show outdated information. The Home Office typically announces major policy changes at least 30 days in advance, and travel-industry news sites (BBC Travel, Conde Nast, Skyscanner) often summarise the changes within hours.