Please sign in to post.

UK ETA application - No approval yet, been 3+ hours since applied

Posted by techtrainer61 on 07/29/25 04:41 AM

I made my application on the UK ETA app. It's been 3 hours since I applied, but haven't received approval.
I applied for my wife and daughter after, and their applications were approved within few minutes.

Only thing I can think of is I had tried to apply last night, but due to lack of good light, the app was not accepting my selfie, but it had accepted my passport picture (not the chip .. I had to skip it). So I had abandoned the try, waited today until daylight, applied again when everthing was accepted fine.

Anyone had this experience .. wait this long ?

Posted by joe32F

Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂

07/29/25 06:16 AM

12713 posts

After you apply
You’ll get a decision by email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), usually within a day. The email will contain your 16 digit ETA reference number.
Contact UKVI if you haven’t had a decision after 3 working days.
https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply

Not yet time to panic

Posted by Simon

Singapore

07/29/25 06:39 AM

906 posts

Relax, it can take up to 3 days. In terms of my family members, I submitted two at the same time. One took 60 seconds, the other 8 hours. Both approved.

Posted by Carole

San Francisco, California, USA

07/29/25 07:12 AM

203 posts

Did you check your Spam folder? I also waited days and accidentally checked my Spam folder and there it was.
Good luck and have a great trip!

Posted by techtrainer61 OP

07/29/25 05:15 PM

127 posts

Phew !!!!
Just received the approval message - almost 15 hours since the application.