# AI tells a US/UK citizen that leaving the UK for a day trip to France resets their 6-month ETA stay limit

- **ID:** `visa/uk-eta-multiple-entry-reset`
- **Domain:** visa
- **Category:** config_error
- **Error Code:** `UK-ETA-RESET-001`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 82%

## Root Cause

The UK ETA grants a maximum stay of 6 months per visit, but the rolling 180-day clock does not reset on a short trip outside the UK; the cumulative stay within any 180-day window is capped at 6 months, and re-entry does not reset the count.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme 2025 | active | — | — |
| UK Immigration Rules Appendix V | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Plan your UK stay so that total days in the UK within any 180-day window do not exceed 180 days. Use a calendar tool to track your entries and exits.** (90% success)
   ```
   Plan your UK stay so that total days in the UK within any 180-day window do not exceed 180 days. Use a calendar tool to track your entries and exits.
   ```
2. **If you need a longer stay, apply for a UK Standard Visitor visa (valid up to 6 months per visit, but also subject to 180-day rule) or a long-term visit visa (2, 5, or 10 years) with a maximum stay of 6 months per visit.** (85% success)
   ```
   If you need a longer stay, apply for a UK Standard Visitor visa (valid up to 6 months per visit, but also subject to 180-day rule) or a long-term visit visa (2, 5, or 10 years) with a maximum stay of 6 months per visit.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Taking a day trip to Calais, France, then returning to the UK the same day, assuming the stay clock resets** — The 6-month limit is calculated over a rolling 180-day window; a brief exit does not reset the window—border officers will count all days present in the UK in the preceding 180 days. (90% fail)
- **Applying for a new ETA after a short exit, believing it grants a fresh 6-month stay** — A new ETA does not override the rolling 180-day rule; the immigration officer enforces the cumulative limit regardless of how many ETAs you hold. (80% fail)