I am getting ready to apply for ETA

It's similar to taking a passport photo. I don't think it said anything about whether your blouse had to be plain or not, but it wouldn't hurt, and yes, you should have a plain neutral background.

You won't see the chip. It's inside the passport, and you don't take a picture of it. You will take your passport and hold it over the app on the phone when it tells you to.

If it doesn't work at first, and it might not, depending on how old your passport is, then just keep trying. If after four or five tries it still doesn't work, you might just have to enter it manually, which is not a big deal.

the problem I had was, when it was time to take the photo, the button to take the picture was obscured and off the screen. Never quite figured out why.

I ended up using my laptop instead. you just need a nice picture of yourself against a neutral background.

make sure you use the official UK site.

bostonphil7 I believe you're not going on your cruise until fall of 2027, correct? If that is still the case, I would suggest you hold off applying for the ETA until much closer to your departure date. The reason: it's good for two years from the date of approval or until your passport expires. In case you have occasion to go through the UK after your 2027 cruise, you would not need to reapply and pay again if the ETA was still good. The approval process is typically quick, it's not like a passport renewal that can take weeks.

In case you need it, this is the prior thread you asked about ETA. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/eta-question-not-been-asked-yet

Thank you, Mardee

By the way, I m looking to take a week long vacation somewhere in October, land only, and the Twin Cities is high on my list.

I have never been to the northern area of our country. I will visit museums and walk along lakes.

And I get to fly S W non-stop using my rewards!!!

Thank you phred

I am glad to know that laptop is an option, just in case.

But when you are approved, then what. Does a QR code show up on your phone? Or do you get something to print out?

Hello CL

My trip is scheduled for September 2027 so it is is about 16 months away.

I am thinking I might have some difficulties with applying so I want to give it a go, just in case.

If I easily get it approved, I might change my vacation to April or May 2027.

But 16 months goes fast when you are working on a cruise like I will be going on.

Boston Phil, when does your passport expire? Will you still be using the same passport for your UK trip in 2027?

And with regards to the Twin Cities, I think you would really like it. It's a beautiful city, and there's a lot to see and do. Feel free to send me a PM when you decide, and maybe we can meet up. There's a lot of members here on the forum that live in the cities and would be also willing to help you plan an itinerary, I'm sure.

Edit to Add: You should get an email telling you it's been approved, but that's all I got. There's no QR code or anything that shows up anywhere. I was not asked for anything when I went through with my grandchildren, but others have said they were asked. If that happens, just show them the email that you got approving it. Make sure you save it when it comes in, in a separate place, so that you could find it easily.

When I flew from Lisbon to Manchester last November I did not have to provide anything to verify I had an ETA. My assumption is that it is tied to your passport and they can see that you have one that way. England was the last 10 days of an 11 week trip. We left on our trip (we started in Geneva) on 8/31. I applied for and was approved for my ETA on 8/29. I only applied as early as I did because I didn’t want to deal with it while traveling. There’s no reason to get one now for a trip at least a year away.

well I already have an issue

I went to Play Store and attempted to download the government app. I typed in UK ETA and all I get are the third party sites that charge you to assist in applying for the UK ETA

I also tried gov uk and again a similar problem

I have tried several times and have bene very careful but no government app

UPDATE. You need an Android 12 and unfortunately I am Android 11. This is an old phone. I have had it for about 7 years. I do not know if I can update.

I called Spectrum and was told that my Android is 11 and there is no way to upgrade to 12. This is the downside of having an old phone even if it works ok.

Spectrum told me there was an iPad version. I went to my iPad and was informed that the UK ETA was not compatible with my device. it is only compatible with iPhones.

But there are third party sites that will assist me for pay.

I have the same third party sites on my Android as well as my iPad. They appear to be legit.

I am now going to try applying for my ETA on my computer.

These are the reasons that I begin early.

The official app has a little crown emoji. Please, please make sure that’s what you use whether you apply with a phone or a laptop. And such good advice to make sure you won’t be renewing your passport before your trip next year, as the ETA does not transfer to the new passport, and you would have to apply (and pay) again. The ETA is imbedded in your passport, and the only acknowledgment that you will receive is an email stating that your application was approved. I would definitely keep that acknowledgment, although in several trips to the U.K., we’ve never needed to show it. So using our iPhones (I realize that you have an android) the photos were a bit tricky…definitely stand against a neutral wall, no shadows…pay close attention to shoulder “placement”…oh, and don’t smile! It took a few tries for both my husband and me before our photos were acceptable. It really is a smooth process, but the tricky part for you will be your phone…I haven’t any experience with their official website.

I used my laptop to apply for it, and it was very easy.

Hi cathy

my passport is new and will be good for 9 more years

I have tried taking pictures of my passport and it is being rejected. Something about pixels which is beyond me.

I will have to call Apple for support

This is why I begin these things early.

I will not be able to apply with either my Android or my iPad. I m going to have to apply through my computer

Mardee

I am trying but the picture of my passport is being rejected several times now.

I get a message about pixels. I need so many pixels x pixels. This is beyond me

How did you take. a picture of your passport?

I probably am going to have to call Apple

You are probably not going to want t hear this but I think you need to stop doing what you are doing immediately.

One of the things that I have noticed is that when you get into a tailspin about things it usually takes a lot to right things again. In this instance the ETA is not needed for 16 months so perhaps backing off....letting things lie for a bit may be advantageous for you. You won't make any impulsive mistakes like paying thru the nose to get some travel agent to do this for you.

You are also a well-traveled adult so you can make any decision you want to whether or not it is the way I would handle something.

Is there someone who can help you with the application? It really is very straightforward. If you're having trouble, you may benefit from someone else having a go for you.

Re taking a picture of your passport, the following guidance may help:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-uk-eta-app#take-a-photo-of-the-passport

Boston Phil.
Pam is right on. Take a step back. Perhaps have a trusted friend help you after you have taken a break for a couple of days.

Here are step by step directions from when I applied in November 2024.

Download UK ETA app to your phone
It asks for your email address and then sends a code you need to input.
It asks for your phone number
You take a scan of the ID page in your passport.
It gives you an option of scanning for chip in your passport or skipping and confirming info manually. My phone didn’t pick up the chip so I pressed skip, looked at the info from my passport and confirmed it. Don’t worry if the chip doesn’t scan.. just push skip
You do a biometric scan through your phone
You take an ID picture through your phone. It took 3 tries until I took one that met the requirements, but I did get it!
You input address information
A few questions about employment and criminal convictions
Confirm info is correct
Pay by Apple Pay or credit card. With today’s exchange rate it was $13.08

Thank you everyone for your input

I have the scan symbol on my passport so I may try using the scan but with. my iPad

My Android is not compatible with my macbook so taking pics with my Android may not work

Simon, the info you sent me might be very helpful.

It might be time to buy a new phone even if it is serving my needs. When you can not longer get software updates, ......

And yes, I have other things to focus on but I am glad that I began trying early.

Carol N R

Unfortunately I can not use my phone . There is no UK ETA in Apps. It is an Android 11 and I need Android 12. It is an old phone and I can no longer get software updates.

It might be time for a new phone.

I knew there might be an issue and that is why I have begun very early.