6 things the UK Government won’t tell you about the new UK ETA

Traveling to the UK in 2025? It’s likely that you’ll need a UK ETA. Here are some facts about the new UK travel requirement you need to know.

Unsure if you’ll need a UK ETA in 2025? Find out in our guide

The UK ETA is an Electronic Travel Authorization, not a visa. It's much simpler, quicker, and cheaper than a traditional visa and replaces the need to apply for one. Approval usually takes a few hours but can take up to 3 days, so we recommend applying well in advance to avoid any issues.

However, you can apply months ahead of your trip. So if you’re planning a trip to the UK (or transiting through the UK via an airport, for example) it’s better to organize it sooner rather than later.

iVisa top tip: Don’t worry if you forget to organize your UK ETA – we have a range of rush options that allow you to get your UK ETA in as little as 24 hours.

1. You’re most likely to be denied entry if you’re applying from UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan

These nationalities are the most commonly rejected, which could mean either there’s a specific issue with how these applications are submitted or a problem with how the government system is handling these regions. If you’re applying from one of these countries, it’s important to make sure your application is watertight without any mistakes.

2. The most common reason for rejection is lost or stolen passports

A lot of rejections seem to be because the passport was reported lost or stolen. This seems to be a recurring theme at least for what has been reported. Make sure that the passport you’re traveling with is the one you used to apply for your UK ETA.

3. You'll have to submit individual applications for every person in your family

This includes babies and children. To apply, you'll need your passport details, a scanned copy of your passport, basic contact info, a valid photo, and payment for the application fee. You'll also answer a few questions about your criminal and immigration history.

However, if you apply with us, you can add every member of your family onto the same application to save time and stress.

Also, be aware that the UK ETA can be revoked or canceled if the conditions under which it was issued change or if you provided false information during the application process.

4. Poor-quality photos are another reasons for UK ETA rejections

A major reason for rejection of the UK ETA is photo quality. Applicants are submitting blurry or mismatched photos, or worse, photos of photos. Things like shadows on photos can cause rejections or wearing hats. In one example, someone was rejected for wearing a turban. This is an area where we can offer clearer guidance upfront to avoid these avoidable mistakes or help mitigate them where there are legitimate religious reasons for covering your head.

When you upload your passport information with iVisa you don’t need a phone that’s NFC (Near Field Communication) enabled. Plus, our team will review your applications to ensure everything complies with government standards.

We also offer an easier passport scan process than the government web and app, so you won’t have to worry about costly and frustrating back-and-forth applications and rejections.

Find out more about the steps to get your UK ETA in our guide

5. If you get a new passport, you'll need to reapply for the ETA

This is because it's linked to the passport used during the initial application. And this doesn't just apply to passport details. Your UK ETA can be canceled if any of your circumstances change after it's been issued.

6. The UK Government’s website and app both have their ‘quirks’

Many travelers online mention that the government's app and website have some quirks, as the app tends to time out, meaning you must complete your application in one sitting, as progress can’t be saved.

Also, the app only works in English and allows only one application at a time, so if you're applying as a family, each application must be completed and paid for individually. Users have also reported difficulties with scanning the passport, recognizing passport info, and processing payments.

Why apply with iVisa?

At iVisa, we've been simplifying visa processes for more than 10 years. We're here to make the UK ETA application hassle-free and boost your chances of acceptance.

• Fast & easy: Apply for your UK ETA faster than the government process, with fewer steps, no face scanning, and no security codes required.
• Skip the line: Apply for your UK ETA in minutes – no need for lengthy government forms.
• Save your session: Start, pause, and resume your application without losing any progress. Language flexibility: Apply in your preferred language – not just English – so you can complete your application with ease.
• Passport upload made easy: No NFC phone required – our passport scanning is simple, reliable, and works with any mobile phone or laptop with a camera.
• Apply for everyone at once: Easily add multiple travelers in one process -- no need to completely start all over for each person.

Our customer service team is ready to assist if you have any questions about traveling to the UK or the UK ETA application. Reach out to our customer service agents via chat or WhatsApp.