Most UK eTA applications are processed quickly, but delays can occasionally occur.
You must have an approved UK eTA before you can board your transport or travel to the UK, as a pending or submitted application is not valid for travel.
What You Need to Know
UK eTA processing typically takes a few hours, but decisions can take up to 3 working days if the government requires additional checks. Airlines and other transport carriers are required by law to verify your digital travel permission before departure, and they will refuse boarding if your eTA is still pending or has been rejected. If your application is delayed or rejected due to passport errors, sherpa° offers Re-apply Protection to help you quickly correct and resubmit your details to the government.
Our Recommendation
Check your email inbox and spam folder regularly for status updates from sherpa°. Please review your confirmation email to ensure that the email address and passport details you provided are entirely free of typos. If your application has been processing for more than 3 working days and you have not received a final decision, please reach out to our support team by creating a ticket here.
A Quick Tip
Apply for your UK eTA at least one week before your trip to account for potential government backlogs, weekends, or public holidays. When you submit your application early, sherpa° will automatically queue and manage the submission timing to ensure your digital permission is ready well ahead of your travel date.
