ETA Question Not Been Asked Yet

This video from the official UK website explains the process for both using the app and the desktop version. It covers taking a photo of yourself and your passport photo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG1zaOMl63M If you have an electronic copy of your passport photo that might work, but it might not meet the criteria as the photo needs to include your shoulders.

The ETA is good for two years from approval date or when your passport expires, which ever is sooner. Since I believe your cruise is not until 2027, you should wait to apply until closer to your travel dates so you can maximize the amount of time covered by your ETA and in case of any changes in your travel plans.

Also be VERY careful to only use the official UK government website to apply. Google search will get you many providers that charge double. This is the direct link to the page to start a desktop based application, note the .gov.uk in the URL: https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/apply/electronic-travel-authorisation/how-to-apply

What CL said. Make sure you are on the UK.gov website. I was just looking at this, since we will be on a cruise that goes to Iceland/Norway/Great Britain this fall. We plan to apply this summer, so I have not actually done the application but the directions look fairly straightforward:

From the UK website:

*You’ll need:
the passport you’ll travel with
an email address
a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
When you apply, you’ll need to upload or take photos of the face of the person applying.

Apply online
You’ll need a photo of:
the passport
the face of the person applying*

I think a photo of your passport taken with your phone should be fine (this has worked for me when uploading it to airline websites, etc) and yes, it is the page with your photo and information. No need to take a photo of the cover. Also, a selfie or if you have someone who can take a photo of you with your phone camera, or your iPad - this should work for the photo.

Also, I think you will need the EES for EU/Schengen countries (Iceland, Norway), but that is something you take care of at the first EU airport you transit, if you haven't already. Good for 3 years. Depending on when you are traveling, the ETIAS (next step for traveling into the EU) may be active, but that seems to be a moving target at the moment...all explained here.

Bostonphil, can you go to your local library and see if they can help you? If so, be sure to bring your passport and credit or debit card to pay the fee for the ETA.

Wait a minute. I thought this trip wasn't until September 2027. It is way too early to apply for your ETA. Anything can change between now and September 2027.

Bostonphil, if this might help….

If you have an iPhone, you can download the app “UK ETA” from the App Store. This official app has a little crown next to the name…not to be confused with the other similar apps shown nearby in the App Store. We used this app last year to apply for our ETAs …easy to use and with no extra fees on top of the approximately £16 cost. Please note that the app is NOT compatible with an iPad, just an iPhone. It won’t even download on an iPad, and will show what devices it is compatible with. When the application is approved, the information will be imbedded in your passport. Because we just renewed our passports, we will have to reapply before our UK trip later this year…it doesn’t transfer over to a new passport. And as others pointed out, it’s good for just two years, so securing the authorization closer to your trip is a good idea.

If you have difficulty scanning your passport, press the “skip” choice. It will then allow you to enter the information manually.

jeanm

yes, my cruise is not until September 2027 but i am just doing research on how easy or difficult it will be for me to apply for the ETA.

I thought that I was just filling in a form on line and now I find it is going to be a little more difficult, for me. I emphasize the "for me"

And yes, things might change. I am not applying now.

I am not good with my android. Do not have an iPhone.

My local library might have once been an option but I believe that due to budget cuts, they are going to have to eliminate passport services. I read that somewhere and I do not remember where I read it but it is recent. It could be misleading information or even incorrect.

cathy

Thank you. Do not have an iPhone. I have an old android which does not take good pictures and I am not good on my android anyways.

For now, I have just begun researching what I will need to do to apply for an ETA and I am finding out that it is not going to be as simple for me as it is for others.

Thank you Carol NR.

CL

Thank you for the info.

And for the link

TheOrdinaryRebecca

Thank you for the info,

Yes, I think that by 2027, there may be something additional that I need to apply for in order to go to Europe. I think that this is going to happen around late 2026.

I am going to Paris in May and for now, I am still good with just my passport.

It is getting more difficult and complicated to "just" travel.

Alas, Europeans with visa-free travel have been having to pay for and fill out our ESTA for more than 10 years. The UK (and eventually the EU) are simply getting around, after long delays, to instituting reciprocal requirements for American visa-free travelers. We started it.

bostonphil, although many libraries do not offer passport services anymore, they do offer other services.

At my local library the friendly staff has s a tech person that helps with issues on a drop in basis several times a week. And for something as straight forward as applying for an ETA, I think any of the staff would be more than happy to help be navigate the app or site and successfully take my picture and scan my passport. I think they would find it interesting.

I am going to Paris in May and for now, I am still good with just my
passport.

You will likely have to do EES in Paris, but there is nothing to do in advance. This post has a video to watch that shows the process https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/fyi-video-showing-entry-exit-system-ees-machines

If you have difficulty scanning your passport, press the “skip” choice. It will then allow you to enter the information manually.

I agree with Carol. I had to get the ETA for myself and my two grandkids last year. Because their passports were relatively new, it was easy to scan them; however, my passport was about nine years old and pretty beat up, so I was not able to scan it and had to enter it manually.

The process was pretty easy. I would suggest that if you don't get it after the first couple of minutes, you just bite the bullet and enter it by hand. It didn't take that much longer.

Kim, I know that you are right ....

jeanm

do not have to worry about an ETA for maybe another year but the library is a good suggestion.

I am not going to pay for my cruise until I have the necessary paperwork done.

CL

I have no problem with completing anything at airport or on plane. Have no problem with doing anything online, on my computer. Do not mind updating a photo but fear I will have problem meeting the strict specifications.

My concerns are having to do something on my phone with no other options available.

I am, good on my computer. i can take pics with my iPad and upload.

Mardee

I am old fashioned and do not mind entering information manually. I am still glad for the option to enter
info manually.

And with the ETA for England, you have to finish it in one sitting. No saving information and after 20 minutes of inactivity, yiu lose everything.

But you probably know this.

But I have just thought of something else.

I can not see the full ETA form because I am not yet ready to apply.

When I go to take a picture, is there a link to take a picture within the ETA form that I am filling out?

CL

I just had a chance to look at the youtube link you sent me and it was very helpful.

Maybe it is easier than i thought.

I am going to begin trying to apply in June and if I am successful, it will still be good in September 2027. If not successful, I will still have time.

bostonphil, you are way overthinking this. They may even change the app/website in the next year. Who knows?

Yes, the app/website will walk you through everything. It really isn't difficult.

Instead of worrying about this now, focus on the wonderful trip to Paris you've been planning.