UK ETA Status Check: Track Your Application

After submitting your UK Electronic Travel Authorisation application, knowing how to verify your status is crucial for smooth travel planning. This comprehensive guide explains all the official methods to check whether your ETA has been approved, remains pending, or has been refused. Understanding your application status helps you avoid last-minute travel disruptions and ensures you can board your flight, ferry, or train to the United Kingdom without complications.

Official Methods to Check UK ETA Status

The UK government provides several legitimate channels for verifying your ETA application status. Unlike some countries that offer public tracking portals, the UK system relies primarily on direct communication and app-based verification. Understanding these methods ensures you access accurate information rather than falling victim to unofficial third-party websites that may provide incorrect status updates or charge unnecessary fees.

Method 1: UKVI Decision Email

The primary method for receiving your ETA decision is through email from UK Visas and Immigration. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation that your application was received. The decision notification typically arrives separately, containing either approval confirmation, a pending status for manual review, or a refusal with explanation. Check both your inbox and spam/junk folders, as government automated emails sometimes trigger spam filters depending on your email provider settings.

The decision email contains essential information including your unique ETA reference number, the passport number it is linked to, the approval date, and expiration date. Save this email for your records, although you technically never need to show it to anyone. If you applied for multiple family members, each person will receive separate decision emails, and approvals may arrive at different times if some applications require additional review.

Method 2: UK ETA Mobile App

If you submitted your application through the official UK ETA app (available for iOS and Android), you can check your status directly within the application at any time. Open the app and navigate to your application record to view the current status, linked passport details, and validity period. The app provides real-time information synchronized with Home Office systems, making it a reliable verification method.

The app is particularly useful for travelers who want quick confirmation before checking in for their flight or when asked about their travel authorization. While you never officially need to display the app to airline staff (as they verify your status electronically through API systems), having visual confirmation can provide peace of mind and resolve any confusion that might arise from airline employees unfamiliar with the ETA system.

Method 3: Official GOV.UK Check Service

The UK government provides an official online service at GOV.UK where you can verify your ETA status using your passport details. This service confirms whether you currently hold a valid ETA and displays the expiration date. To use this service, you will need the passport you used when applying for your ETA. The system searches Home Office records and displays your current authorization status.

This method is particularly useful if you no longer have access to the email account you used during application, lost the decision email, or need to verify your status independently. The official check service is free to use and provides definitive confirmation from government databases. Access it at www.gov.uk/check-eta.

Method 4: UKVI Webchat Support

For applicants who have not received a decision after three working days, or who encounter issues with other verification methods, the official ETA Webchat provides direct access to Home Office support. Through this service, you can confirm that your application was received, inquire about processing delays, verify that your ETA is valid, and get assistance with specific concerns about your status.

The webchat operates during UK business hours and may not be available outside these times or on UK public holidays. When contacting support, have your application reference number, passport details, and email address ready to help staff locate your records quickly. This is the recommended channel for resolving any status concerns before your departure date that cannot be addressed through the automated methods.

Understanding ETA Application Status Types

Your UK ETA application will fall into one of several status categories. Understanding what each means helps you know whether action is required or if you can proceed with travel planning confidently.

Status: Approved (Granted)

An approved ETA allows unlimited entries to the UK during the validity period, with each stay permitted for up to six months. There is nothing to print or carry. Simply ensure you travel with the same passport you used for your application. Airlines verify your authorization electronically before boarding through the Advance Passenger Information system.

Status: Pending (Under Review)

Applications may be routed for manual review for various reasons including identity verification issues (passport scan or photo quality), self-declared information requiring assessment, or routine security database checks returning information that needs human evaluation. Most pending applications are resolved within three working days. You can technically travel while pending if you applied before departure, though confirmation before travel is strongly recommended.

Status: Refused (Rejected)

Common refusal reasons include criminal history (convictions in any country that you declared or that were found in security checks), previous immigration violations in the UK or elsewhere, providing false information on your application, being subject to a UK deportation or exclusion order, or failing to meet other eligibility criteria. There is no right to appeal an ETA refusal. If you still wish to travel to the UK, you must apply for an appropriate visitor visa through the standard visa application process.

Processing Times and What to Expect

Understanding typical processing timelines helps set appropriate expectations and allows proper travel planning. The UK ETA system is designed for speed, but various factors can influence how quickly you receive a decision.

Application Method	Typical Processing Time	Maximum Processing Time
UK ETA App (automatic approval)	Minutes to hours	3 working days
Online at GOV.UK (automatic approval)	Minutes to hours	3 working days
Manual review required	1-3 working days	Occasionally longer
Complex security checks	3+ working days	Varies by case

The vast majority of applicants receive automatic approval within minutes, especially when using the UK ETA app which can verify biometric data from your passport chip. Applications submitted during UK business hours may process faster than those submitted overnight or on weekends, as manual reviews only occur during office hours. Peak travel seasons may see slightly longer processing times due to higher application volumes.

Troubleshooting Common Status Issues

No Decision After 3 Working Days

If you have not received any communication after three working days, first thoroughly check your email spam and junk folders. If nothing is found, use the official GOV.UK status check service with your passport details. If that shows no record, contact the UKVI webchat to confirm your application was received. In rare cases, technical issues may have prevented successful submission, requiring you to reapply.

Cannot Find Decision Email

Search your email for messages from domains ending in "gov.uk" or "homeoffice.gov.uk." Try searching for your name, passport number, or the phrase "ETA" and "travel authorisation." If still unfound, use the official GOV.UK status checker or ETA app to verify your status independently without needing the original email.

Status Shows Valid But Airline Won't Board

If you have a valid ETA but experience boarding issues, ensure you are traveling with the exact passport used in your application. Even minor discrepancies in passport numbers prevent verification. Show airline staff your confirmation email or app screen while they investigate. In persistent cases, ask them to re-run the Advance Passenger Information check, as system delays occasionally cause temporary verification failures.

Applied Through Unofficial Website

If you applied through a third-party website (not gov.uk or the official UK ETA app), use the official status verification methods to confirm whether a legitimate application was actually submitted on your behalf. Some third-party sites are scams that take payment without submitting applications. If no valid ETA exists, apply immediately through official channels. Report suspected scams through the GOV.UK internet scams reporting tool.

Tips for Smooth Status Verification

• Save your reference number: Record your ETA reference number immediately after applying. This unique identifier helps support staff locate your application quickly if issues arise.
• Screenshot your approval: While not officially required, having a screenshot of your approved status provides backup verification if email access becomes unavailable during travel.
• Check before booking travel: Verify your ETA is approved before finalizing flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements to avoid costly cancellation fees if issues arise.
• Verify passport match: Double-check that the passport number shown on your ETA matches the passport you plan to travel with. Any discrepancy requires a new application.
• Note expiration dates: Your ETA expires either after two years or when your passport expires, whichever comes first. Check both dates when planning future trips.
• Allow processing time: Apply at least one week before travel whenever possible, even though most decisions arrive within minutes. This buffer accounts for any unexpected delays.

What Happens at the Airport

Understanding how your ETA status is verified during travel helps reduce anxiety and ensures smooth boarding. When you check in for your flight (either online or at the airport counter), the airline captures your passport information and transmits it to UK Border Force through the interactive Advance Passenger Information (API) system. This system automatically checks whether you have valid permission to travel to the UK, including ETA status.

If your ETA is valid, the system returns approval within seconds, and your check-in proceeds normally. Your boarding pass may be issued without any visible ETA indicator, as the authorization is handled entirely behind the scenes. At the departure gate, staff scan your passport again primarily to verify your identity matches your boarding pass, not to recheck your ETA status which was already confirmed at check-in.

Airlines face substantial financial penalties for transporting passengers without valid travel authorization, which is why they verify status before boarding rather than leaving determination to UK border officials upon arrival. If you are denied boarding due to ETA issues, the airline will explain the reason and your options, which may include applying for an ETA at the airport (if time permits and the reason was simply not having applied) or rebooking for a later date.

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