My UK ETA is Approved! What Can I Do Now? (Rules & Limits)

First of all: congratulations! If you are reading this, your Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has likely been approved. The hard part is over.

However, having the document doesn't mean you can do everything in the UK. The ETA is strictly for visitors.

To ensure you have a smooth entry and a worry-free trip, we have compiled the official rules on what you can do, how long you can stay, and the crucial details about your passport.

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1. The Golden Rule: Your Passport

Before you pack, check this one last time: You must travel with the exact same passport you used for your application.

The ETA is digitally linked to your passport number. If you obtained a new passport after your ETA was approved (due to loss, theft, or expiry), your ETA is no longer valid. You cannot transfer it; you must apply for a new one.

2. How long can I stay?

The standard rule for visitors on an ETA is:

• Up to 6 months per visit.
• Multiple entries: You can visit the UK as many times as you like within the validity period of your ETA (2 years or until your passport expires).

Warning: While there is no strict limit on the number of visits, you cannot use the ETA to "live" in the UK through frequent, successive visits. If a border officer suspects you are trying to make the UK your main home, you may be refused entry.

3. What YOU CAN DO (Permitted Activities)

The ETA covers a wide range of activities suitable for most travellers. You are allowed to:

• Tourism: Visit landmarks, holidays, and leisure.
• Family & Friends: Visit relatives or friends living in the UK.
• Business: Attend meetings, conferences, seminars, or trade fairs. You can also negotiate and sign contracts.
• Short-term Study: Study for up to 6 months at an accredited institution (entry requirements may vary slightly, so check with your school).
• Transit: Pass through the UK on your way to another destination.
• Creative Worker Concession: Entertainers and artists can stay for up to 3 months under specific conditions.
• Permitted Paid Engagement: Certain professionals (like experts invited to give a lecture) can do paid work for up to 1 month, provided they have a formal invitation.

4. What YOU CANNOT DO (Prohibited Activities)

This is just as important. The ETA is not a work visa. Unless you fall under the very specific concessions mentioned above, you cannot:

• Do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person.
• Claim public funds (benefits).
• Marry or register a civil partnership (you need a Marriage Visitor visa for this).
• Stay longer than 6 months on a single trip.

Summary

If you are coming for a holiday, a business meeting, or to visit your cousins for a few weeks, you are perfectly fine. Keep a digital and printed copy of your approval just in case, and have a safe flight!