UK ETA

UK Visas and Immigration

About this app

Use the UK ETA app to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to come to the UK.

Who can apply
Find out if you need an ETA to travel to the UK at: https://www.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation.

How to apply on the UK ETA app
1. Take a photo of your passport.
2. Scan the chip in your passport.
3. Scan your face.
4. Take a photo of yourself.
5. Answer some questions about yourself.
6. Pay for your application.

It should only take 10 minutes to apply.

You do not need to enter your travel details.

Before you start

To apply you will need:
• Android 12 and above
• NFC (Near-Field Communication) so the app can scan your passport – if you can use your phone to pay for things using contactless, this means it has NFC
• the passport you will use to travel to the UK
• a credit card, debit card or Apple Pay
• access to your emails

If you're applying for someone else they must be with you. If they are not, you should apply online at: https://www.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation.

After you apply
You’ll get a decision by email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), usually within a day. Allow up to 3 working days (Monday to Friday) to get a decision, but it may arrive much sooner.

The email will contain your 16 digit ETA reference number.

You must wait until you get an email confirming you have an ETA before you travel to the UK.

If you have not received a decision after 3 working days, check your spam or junk email folder before contacting UKVI.

You may get decisions at different times to other people you applied for.

Your ETA will be linked to the passport you applied with. You only need to show your passport when you travel to the UK.


Privacy and security
The app is safe and secure. No information is stored on the app or your phone after you close it. You can delete the app after you have completed your application.

For information on staying safe online visit the UK Cyber Aware website: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/home

Accessibility
You can read our accessibility statement at: https://confirm-your-identity.homeoffice.gov.uk/register/eta-app-accessibility

Ratings and reviews

I followed the instructions and it worked perfectly. I had to make several attempts, but I eventually got through the steps and submitted my application. When I got to passport control in the UK, I scanned the passport at the automated gate, it took my pic/scanned my retina [Whoa, Big Brother!] and was on the other side in less than a minute from when I placed my passport on the scanner. Very similar to previous experiences before the ETA registration got implemented.

The whole process was smooth from start to finish, and the ETA approval came in almost instantly (thank goodness)! The only hiccup was with the payment method. It kept trying to get me to use Google Pay with my card and it kept not working, but I was able to manually enter the card and it was fine.

Despite other negative reviews, we went ahead and gave the app a try. The only problem we had was it needed to redo my husband's face photo because he squints. Worked on his second photo. Got our approval in a few minutes. The directions were clear and easy to follow. Overall the process was easier than expected. I was using a Samsung phone, if that makes any difference.

What’s new

Performance improvements