5 things the UK Government won’t tell you about the new 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.

The UK ETA is valid for 2 years, or until your passport expires (whichever comes first)

It allows you to stay in the UK for up to six months for tourism, business, study, visiting family and friends, or receiving medical treatment.

Everyone in your family will need their own ETA

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.

It's important to know that criminal or immigration offenses can result in an ETA rejection, and if that happens, you may need to apply for a traditional visa.

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.

Poor-quality photos are one of the main 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

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.

The UK Government’s website and app has its ‘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. 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.