The UK Home Office announced on June 9 2026 that ETA validity will increase to five years from July 1. The extension covers all eligible nationalities and remains linked to passport validity. Current two-year ETAs will automatically convert to the longer period at no extra cost.
Travellers must still obtain an ETA before boarding flights or trains to the UK. The Β£10 fee stays unchanged and processing continues to take under three days. The policy aligns the UK with similar long-validity systems used by the United States and Canada.
The ETA was introduced in 2024 to strengthen border security while easing short-term travel. Over 25 million ETAs have been issued since launch. The extension responds to industry feedback about frequent business and leisure travellers.
Border Force systems have been updated to recognise the new validity automatically. Airlines received technical guidance in May 2026 to adjust check-in procedures. Tourism bodies welcomed the move as a competitiveness boost versus Schengen entry rules.
What this means for you
Apply for a new five-year ETA if your current authorisation expires before your next trip. Use the official UK ETA app or website to avoid inflated third-party fees. Keep a digital copy of the approval on your phone for quick airline verification.
Renew only when your passport expires rather than every two years. Families can coordinate applications to align expiry dates and reduce administrative burden. Confirm your airline has updated its systems before travel in July.
Further simplifications such as mobile-only applications are expected in 2027. Travellers should retain records of previous approvals for any future visa applications that request travel history.