UK ETA application experience

Thank you!!!!! Super helpful and really appreciated! :-)

Yeah, there have been many on here concerned about ETA and EITAS, that it somehow is a lengthy process with unknown results (likelihood you will be rejected), concerned it may take months.

What you experienced is similar to what visitors to the US experience with ESTA, or if you go back a few years, the authorization needed for visiting during Covid for some European countries.

The ETA/EITAS/ESTA is really for most a non-issue, certainly something you need to remember to do, better to do earlier than later for a planned trip, but in a pinch, you could do it immediately before check-in at the airport (for most systems, you need only have submitted the application).

Hopefully your experience will reassure the nervous ones.

It seems a bit much to have to have one just for a layover though!

Thank you, that is helpful! I will be in London from January 3-8, so I am leaving the day it goes into effect. Thinking maybe I should get an ETA since it is good for two years and I know I will travel to the UK at least once or twice in those two years.

The people it may affect is anyone with a criminal record of any sort. Overseas citizens will have an ESTA for visiting the USA automatically refused if they have any kind of conviction for drug related offences, for example. Other minor offences will also result in it being impossible to get an ESTA. It can still be possible to travel but people affected need to go to the US Embassy in person to get a visa.

It will be interesting to see if the ETA system is similarly strict.

Thanks, Carol! Very helpful and reassuring.

Thanks for posting your experience, Carol.

I expect when you check in for your flight you'll have to show them the app with your approval? Or I guess there is a number associated with the approval so maybe that will need to be added to an airline account (thinking of Delta's FlyReady website)?

The people it may affect is anyone with a criminal record of any sort.

It is not quite that dire. The questions of interest are: (paraphrased)

Have you been convicted of a criminal offense in which you were given a custodial sentence (I assume jailed, possibly Parole) for more than 12 Months?

Have you been convicted of a criminal offense in the last 12 months?

If you answer positive to the second question, you are then prompted to enter additional information on the nature of the offense.

It seems clear that serious felonies are what they are looking for, not a traffic ticket or misdemeanor. Things that are not illegal in the UK are also not of concern.

I would agree the US gets a bit uptight about drug offenses, they have even denied entry to people who have publicly admitted to drug use, without ever being convicted.

For those interested, here is a link to the documentation used by those who make decisions on an ETA: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electronic-travel-authorisation-caseworker-guidance

Though I suspect if you answer all question appropriately, no human actually sees the application, it is just automatically approved.

Carol, that is very thoughtful of you to post your experience. Thank you.

And yes it sounds much like what my husband does when he applies for his ESTA, although I feel like he just enters the number and expiration date of his passport (not a scan) and doesn't have to do a photo. Maybe the next go-round, that will be in the US ESTA system too !

@Pam. The approval notice states, "When you travel to the UK, you only need your passport that ends in XXXX. You do not need to print or show this confirmation email."

So the ETA is automatically linked to your passport and will show up at passport control. I'm not sure how the airlines will handle this since there really is nothing to "show".

Thank you and bookmarking. It sounded intimidating, so your explanation of the steps helps us be mentally prepared.

I, too, applied today. Let me tell you my experiece.

I used the app. I was able to take a photo of my information page, scan the chip in the passport, take my photo first time, answer a few questions and pay via Google Pay.

I immediately got an email saying they received my application and I should hear within 72 hours.

And now the wait.....

Well, I did get approved. The time between email confirmation of application to the Approval email was about 20 seconds.

20 seconds.

I just processed my application and had the same experience as Carol. Everything went fine, except would not scan the chip. I confirmed the information. Took two (yes 2) minutes to receive approval. Cost was $13.08 in $US.

Regarding scanning the passport....

1) Make sure any cover on your passport and phone are removed.

2)Try scanning from the back of the passport rather than the front.

3) Move the phone slowly.

Thanks Carol NR for sharing your experience and hints. Since i travel in June, I’m in no rush to apply. The RS tour email yesterday about ETA say apply a month from traveling. I’m planning 60 days prior.

As others have said, it’s interesting that you need an ETA for transiting through UK airports. That’s going to catch a lot of people who are only connecting flights.

Eventually the requirement will hopefully be integrated into the airline reservation systems, so one will be prompted to apply or confirm, similar to passport requirements.

Thanks Carol for the extra information about the approval being linked to your passport.

Dumb question, but I'm assuming the reading of the chip is enabled in the app and with NFC turned on.

VAP, based on what I just did for Australia, yes to both.

I applied for my visa to Australia yesterday and the process was exactly as Carol now retired has described for the UK. I had quite a bit of trouble with the chip scanning but did a TripAdvisor search, which told me to scan the inside cover of the passport, after having it open. The AU instructions specifically said (and showed) to scan the information page. Sigh. Once I only opened the cover, it was 2 seconds.

I just did mine, and approval took two minutes. I tried the app unsuccessfully, and then the web site, which was very simple.

I used the app to apply today. I applied at 11 AM and was approved by 3 PM.

The app could not find the chip in my passport, so I submitted without this and was approved within minutes today.

ETA/EITAS/ESTA/Australian thingy...... Arent things going in the wrong direction. Thank you Turkey for dropping your visa requirement despite the rest of the world adding visas. At least they are easy.

These AREN'T visas (I repeat for the nth time). The ONLY people who can travel with these approvals are those who are traveling under a visa waiver agreement.

Getting a visa costs a lot more and takes a lot more time and trouble (paperwork).

And as many have pointed out, this is just the Brits reciprocating what the U.S. has required of visa-free travelers since 2008 — I.e. for 16 years now.

And the same will be true when the EU finally introduces theirs. They are simply handing back to us what we have made them do for 16 years.

Sorry but I get crazy when the terminology isn't right.

Arent things going in the wrong direction.

No, not at all. Think of it not as a visa (it isn't) but as a trusted traveler program.

You provide information about yourself prior to travel, it gets the green, yellow, or red light; you show up at the border, and hopefully, scan your passport, smile at the camera, and away you go. No standing in line, talking to a border officer, hoping they are in a good mood, or at least not wanting to mess with you (most I have experienced though over the years are bored and as wanting to get rid of you as you are to get through.)

If it helps ease of travel, while increasing safety, I'm all for it.

It's all very complicated. Basically the same processes and questions and more or less the same fees to provide the same scrutiny and security and traveler rights in each, but some are a visa and others are not. But I will try and remember which is which.

Sorry, having trouble remembering, but didn't getting that TSA-Pre tag, which while similar merely allows one to use potentially quicker line, cost a lot more? I am afraid I am failing to see why a document with a small fee is an issue for trips that cost in the thousands of dollars.

@Larry and Paul. You sound a bit confused. This has nothing to do with a “quicker line”. You don’t get any faster than the Egates already available to US passport holders. This is about legal entry to the country. Every country has the right to manage their borders as they see fit. The UK has chosen to implement ETA process Jan 8th. Getting one is simple and inexpensive for most people.

Thank you, Carol! I got approved in less than 90 seconds. "Done and dusted," as we say in England ;-)

This has nothing to do with a “quicker line”.

But it does, it is one link in border security. Yes, you can use the e-gates now, but countries realize those have risks, this mitigates those risks.

Same with the Schengen zone, they are trying to get e-gates working in a coordinated Schengen wide system, called EES, was supposed to be well into rollout by now, but delayed, and this is the step that needs to happen before EITAS is rolled out.

The UK did a limited rollout (specific countries) with E-Gates, now they are following with ETA, basically the same approach. If you know about the people coming in, it is easier to just pass them through.

"some are a visa and others are not."

Correct - the Australian ETA is a visa (Australia requires every non citizen or permanent resident to have a visa), the UK ETA is not, as ir applies only to nationals of countries that don't require visas.

Simon, good to know that the online version worked well for you. I have an older iphone that might not work well with the app, and the online instructions looked easier anyway. Thank you. :O)

Great info, appreciated - thank you for sharing.

Does this UK ETA also cover Scotland?

Yes.

The UK is comprised of 4 nations, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England, and the UK ETA is valid for all 4.

I might be the only person who never received an email after completing the application without problems on Nov. 28. They gave me a Referenced Number and charged my credit card, but no email has ever appeared in my regular or spam folders (GMail).

The UK website says to contact them if the email doesn't arrive by Dec. 5, but I don't find a way to do so. Aggravating! Does anyone see a way to proceed?

Miles - it took some digging, but I found this "Contact us" page. I didn't run all the way through the pages, but it looks like it is set up to resolve common problems and send you off to a web chat. Good luck. https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk

Two of us completed iPhone apps in the past week. Neither of us could scan the chip, but manual input was fine. Both of us thought our self-photos were hideous, but they were accepted.

I initially had trouble with an app error message - something to the effect of "System Error Try Later". This was before I even began the process. I removed the app and re-loaded it. This time everything worked smoothly.

@miles99, I'm assuming that you checked your spam folders? If so, and no email, you can try this chat option: https://ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.gov.uk/eta

I don't use a smartphone, so the app option is out of the question for me. Does anyone have any experience of using the online option? The only area where things may get tedious is the photo of myself, though I have a camera to use for that. Otherwise, it looks doable.

I just completed my application online and received an email that my application was being processed and another one a minute after that my application was approved. I also applied for my partner and after submitting my payment, the page stalled and was stuck on the "We are fetching your application" screen. After about 15 minutes I tried to refresh and Nothing was captured. I haven't received an email confirmation his application is processing but I see the charge on my CC. I've checked my inbox and junk mail.

I tried to start a chat on their page but it seems to be a bot. Seems that I have to wait until opening hours to chat with an adviser. If the charge is not processed then I will know that I will have to redo the second application. Hope this doesn't happen to anyone else.

For those trying to scan the chip in a US passport, it is located in the back cover. See FAQ 19.

Passport books have a small integrated circuit (or “chip”) in the back
cover.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/faqs.html

"Does anyone have any experience of using the online option"

I have - it's a very easy application- it took me five minutes and was approved in a few minutes.

"Passport books have a small integrated circuit (or “chip”) in the back
cover."

Just a note for non-US citizens that other passports may have them elsewhere, often on the photo page.

Follow up experience. My son and his wife followed the process and completed it and had approval all within a 5 minute timespan. Knowing to find the chip inside the back cover was especially helpful in the process.

I've attempted to use the app on my Samsung S22+ (has the most up to date Android operating system) and encountered error messages both times. Sounds like others here have had some issues, but eventually got it to work. I uninstalled and reinstalled the app, but to no avail. I will try the online application, but they push the app pretty hard. Anyone experiencing issues using the app in the past few days, post Christmas? Thanks!

@Kevin. My son used the app on his android phone after Christmas without any difficulties. UK ETA with a picture of a crown is the correct app.

"I will try the online application, but they push the app pretty hard."

Just use the web site - I had trouble reading the chip on the passport, so did it on the site and it was approved in minutes. No reason to use the app if you're having g trouble with it.

Done and dusted here as well. Did the same steps as the OP, and it took about 90 minutes for the approval to come back

Still trying to apply for the UK ETA on the app , get about half way and error pops up saying experience problems try again later and has even locked me out have now been trying for about a week . Have even uninstalled it . Luckily not going to the UK till May !!!!
Hopefully will fix and I'll be able to try again soon

You can apply online:

https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/apply/electronic-travel-authorisation/how-to-apply

Just as Carol now retired said, just skip to the next screen if you can’t get your chip to scan…easy to confirm the information from your passport. And my application was approved in about two minutes (must have been a slow evening)!

I tried to sign up via app today for a trip we have next week after realizing this went into effect next week. When I click for payment it won’t let me go any further, says try different card. I’ve tried Apple Pay and now two other credit cards (Discover, Visa, MasterCard. Any advice on how to complete the process?

lovelibertypeace, did you try to sign up via the website to see if you have better luck there?

I never did get my chip to scan but it's a 9-year old passport, so I just skipped it. However, I scanned my grandson and granddaughter's passports (brand new) by placing the phone on the inside back cover, and it worked fine. FWIW, all 3 were approved within a minute.

Finally just got around to applying for my ETA just a few moments ago. The app was a little buggy, but got it done and approved in 14 minutes.

Thank you for your very informative post about the ETA installation and application process.

I have a couple of follow-up questions and would greatly appreciate your insights:

1. Upgrading iPhone After Obtaining an ETA: If someone needs to upgrade their iPhone after obtaining an ETA, will the app automatically transfer to the new phone during a full backup and restoration? Or will they need to reinstall the app and potentially reapply for a new ETA (if that's even allowed)?
2. Switching to ETA While Applying for a Standard Visa: Is it possible for someone who has started the standard visa application process (e.g., biometrics, but has not yet submitted all required documents) to independently apply for an ETA? We recently realized that our travel date is earlier than the usual 21-day processing period for the regular visa. Since the planned stay is for less than six months and involves studying, we’re considering the ETA as a quicker alternative. This would also help us avoid the risk of not having our U.S. passports returned in time for the trip.

the ETA is not a visa. If you need a visa having an ETA will not remove that need.

You really don’t need to keep the app on your phone after everything is processed. The ETA is linked to your passport, not the app.

Andaweb, your education provider should advise you whether you need a visa. This will depend on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. As Nigel notes, an ETA is not a visa, it's just for people arriving from visa waiver countries as standard visitors. If your study will take less than six months, you may not need a visa:

https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-to-study

On point to 1, yes through app should transfer over to a new phone. But you won't need it again for another two years anyway.

I tried to apply using the app, and it refused to scan the biometric chip on the front of my passport. I tried several times, following the instructions carefully, but it would not work and I was unable to complete the application. I have an iPhone 16 running ios 18, so it isn't my phone. I dont' understand what the problem is.

whmscll, For a US passport, the chip is located in the back cover, not the front cover.

whmscll - With many using mobile based payment it's usually a given, but is your NFC function turned on? For whatever reason the app wouldn't read my passport chip. No big deal, when reaching the chip reading stage click the skip icon and visually confirm that the information collected during the photographing of the passport data page is correct click confirm and go on to the next stage.

I tried to apply using the app, and it refused to scan the biometric chip on the front of my passport. I tried several times, following the instructions carefully, but it would not work and I was unable to complete the application. I have an iPhone 16 running ios 18, so it isn't my phone. I dont' understand what the problem is.

Just skip it if it doesn't work. Mine never did work for my passport, but since it's 9 years old, I figured the chip is just a bit worn. :-) It worked fine for my grandkids, but their passports are new. It's simple to add the information. Just skip it and then answer the questions. Easy peasy. I did this and mine was approved within a minute or two.

If husband and wife applying for ETA can they do it from the same iphone, using the same phone number and the same email or all should be different?

I don't think the same phone number will matter at all. It might be best to use two different emails.

I don't believe it to be an issue. You can only apply and pay for one application at a time, but the app does allow you to apply for other people who are with you.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-uk-eta-app

I don't like to do a lot of aps on my phone.
I presume that I can apply from my computer?

If husband and wife applying for ETA can they do it from the same iphone, using the same phone number and the same email or all should be different?

I applied for my two grandkids, and used my email and my phone number for both of them with no problem.

I don't like to do a lot of aps on my phone.
I presume that I can apply from my computer?

Yes, you can apply online, geovagriffith, although they do strongly encourage you to use the app as it is easier and quicker. But here is the link for the online process: https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/apply/electronic-travel-authorisation/how-to-apply

For all of the above questions, maybe the thing to remember, is all authorities will be looking for is an ETA tied to a passport number. So passport scanned, an indicator that an ETA was approved is returned. No record of an ETA, then a flag is raised, and you likely wind up being routed to a human, who will ask lots of questions. So what type of device, who does it, whether app or online, all really does not matter.

You really get nothing to show to the airline or an authority that you were approved, it is simply a link in their system, so I doubt airlines will do little more than notify you of the need, they have nothing to "check", and will not deny you boarding if someone forgot to do it.

And for those that do not like clogging up their mobile device with apps, The guidance on using the UK ETA app does say that, "You can delete the app when you’ve finished applying. Your ETA will be linked to your passport digitally, and you will not need to show anything else when you enter the UK."

Hi does anyone know if the app is not working?

Well, quick and easy they said... I tried to download the app from GooglePlay and it told me my device isn't compatible with the app (although it requires Android 8 at least and I have 11). Okay, let's try online. It only recognizes an integrated camera for the facial scan apparently--it didn't recognize my phone camera plugged in. But that was okay, as it said I could skip that step. I got all the way past my passport photo and information and through a successful yet massively unflattering photo of myself, but when I hit continue I got "Sorry there is a problem with the service. You will need to start your application again." Maybe not today.

I submitted my ETA request at 4:32 today Eastern time and received my approval at 4:49 Eastern time.

I use the app.

I was unable to scan my chip. I don’t know why, I know my passport has a chip. I know it’s been scanned when I’m crossing borders, but I could not get the phone to scan it But the rest of it was fairly straightforward so finally, I just skipped that to see what would happen and it worked great.

Just a note there are already several scams out out there and I’ve already seen reports of people paying 50 or $60 for this. Make sure you’re on the right site or you’ve downloaded the right app. With the exchange rate mine was around $12.

As for getting denied, I’ve already seen one person upset on Facebook because they had a DUI in the past 12 months and got denied. They’re going to have to apply for a visa.

Hey everyone, has anyone experienced a delay in getting their ETA approved? From what I’ve read here, it seems like most people get theirs immediately, but that hasn’t been the case for me. I found out about the ETA on Sunday and applied right away, but it’s now Tuesday morning, and I still haven’t received any approval. My flight is tonight by 9pm. I’m considering submitting a new application, but I’m worried it might cause issues. I’m feeling really anxious about this and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I understand that as long as you have applied, you should be ok.

My eta came back fine, but my wife's came back with her middle name misspelled. Any tips on how to correct this? Is it possible to void this one and reapply. Or, should I not worry about it. I note that the confirmation email contains the following: "Do not worry if your full name is not included on this email. It only needs to match your name in the first line of the machine-readable zone (MRZ) on your passport." I believe the first line contains only the holder's last name.
Anyone else had this experience?
Thanks.

"I still haven’t received any approval. My flight is tonight by 9pm"

Carol is correct - you don't need to have received a response, as long as you've applied:

"You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can travel to the UK while waiting for a decision."
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta#how-long-it-takes

Thank you for sharing this Carol - much appreciated!

I would like to also suggest:

Take the cover or drop protection from you phone before you begin.

It's not easy trying to remove it half way through while trying to keep your fingers from messing up the screen. IMO, YMMV. Otherwise, it's pretty quick. I also received my approval in less than a minute.