The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital permission you get before you travel. It is linked to your passport and typically returns a decision in minutes, but if it takes more than 3 days, it is a cause for concern. The Home Office advises allowing up to 3 working days in case your application needs manual checks. If you have already applied and are waiting for your decision, then it’s better to check the UK ETA status. Here we will help you track your ETA status.

How to check your UK ETA status?

There isn’t a public “live tracker” page. Instead, you can use the methods mentioned to check the status:

1. Decision email from UKVI: You have to check your inbox and spam. This confirms if your ETA is granted, pending review, or refused, and includes your reference number. If you applied to multiple people, decisions can arrive at different times.

2. UK ETA app: If you applied in-app, you can open the app to see your application details/record.

Tip: If you haven’t heard back after 3 working days, use the Webchat to confirm. The Home Office says you can verify that your ETA is valid or that your application was received using the official ETA Webchat.

How long does the UK ETA take?

Most applicants get an automatic decision within minutes, especially via the UK ETA app. The official says allow 3 working days for a decision, to cover cases that need manual review.

What do ETA decision emails look like?

• Granted: Your ETA is digital and linked to the passport you applied with. There’s nothing to print; just travel with the same passport.

• Pending: A small number are routed to manual review (identity can’t be confirmed automatically, or there’s information that needs checking). Expect up to 3 working days.

• Refused: You’ll be told why. There is no right to administrative review or appeal of an ETA decision; if you still need to travel, you must apply for the appropriate UK visa.

Common reasons for delays 

• Identity can’t be verified automatically (passport scan/photo mismatch). These cases are diverted to a decision maker.

• Potentially adverse information is flagged, for example-self-declared criminality or Home Office records.

• Data entry errors like wrong passport number/expiry, or changed passports. The ETA is tied to the exact passport used to apply; a new passport means a new ETA.

What to do if your ETA is refused?

There is no appeal or administrative review for ETA refusals. If refused, you can apply again after correcting identity issues, or you must apply for the relevant UK visa if you still intend to travel. The caseworker guidance lists the statutory refusal grounds, such as serious criminality, exclusion orders, and previous immigration breaches.

What happens next after your ETA is approved?

Before boarding, carriers are expected to confirm you have permission to travel. The UK uses interactive Advance Passenger Information (API) to tell carriers whether a passenger has valid permission (ETA, visa or status). Airlines can be liable for penalties if they carry someone without appropriate permission. Practically, this is why you’ll be stopped from boarding if your passport isn’t showing a valid ETA. 

Still waiting on your ETA? Start with your UKVI decision email and the UK ETA app. If it’s been 3 working days with no update, use the official ETA Webchat to confirm receipt and validity. Apply with the same passport you’ll travel on, double-check your details, and you’ll breeze through check-in when your ETA is granted.