UK ETA

UK ETA

by Home Office

1.6K ratings
839 reviews
#22 in free Utilities
🔧 Utilities
✈️ Travel
Free

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • October 23, 2023
  • August 19, 2026
UK ETA screenshot #1 for iPhone
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UK ETA screenshot #8 for iPhone
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About

Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. The process involves scanning your passport and face, answering questions, and paying a fee. Decisions are typically received by email within a day.

✓Apply for UK ETA
✓Scan passport chip
✓Facial scan for identity
✓Digital payment
✓Email decision notification
✓Secure application process
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What users say

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What's New in UK ETA

2.42.909

August 19, 2026

Performance improvements

Charts

Top Free

📊 22

Utilities

The app has maintained its position at 22 recently.

Last updated on October 8, 2026.

User reviews

Works great

I’m guessing the current lower ranking was previous version. App walks you through the steps, it’s straightforward. I did it for my whole family for upcoming trip. Approved in no time.

Easy to get through and quick approval.

Happy I found this app through the gov.uk website. Almost paid $280 for two people through a 3rd party website that looked like the official UK website. I only paid $39 CAD per person on this official UK Gov app! Within one minute of paying I got an email with the approval. Highly recommend.

Horrendous app, wouldn’t accept payment, search this on reddit

Was traveling around Europe and forgot about this when booking. So was surprised when was informed by airline that I had to fill this out. First, the app doesn’t save so if you get through the painstaking steps (pictures/scans of your passport and yourself will take multiple tries) and you can’t proceed or such, you have to start all over. Try doing so in a busy airport lol. But the clinker is this wouldn’t accept payment even after trying 2 credit cards, a debit card and even linking Applepay, which I’d never used. Then went on reddit and saw dozens if not hundreds of people saying the same, going back years, with no definite resolution. Didn’t feel like trying online so just cancelled all my London reservations, which could luckily do without major cost . Remember the luggage search on an unplanned layover in Heathrow years before (where I couldn’t even leave the airport), and figured this horrendous app would be just the beginning of a bureaucratic set of challenges if not nightmares. Decided to extend stay in the city I was visiting, which had none of these hurdles.
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Worked Perfectly

Easy to use and no problems. I’m from Canada and it was $39.00 charged in CAD. Feels a bit steep but it’s good for 2 years at least!

Rápido

Todo excelente

Developer apps

User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

3 issues

Camera not working on certain devices

Bug

Inability to retake passport photo

Bug

Payment process issues causing app to freeze

Bug
✨

Requested Features

3 requests

Account to track application status

Feature

Digital copy of ETA within the app

Feature

Support for multiple family members in one application

Feature

FAQ

What is the UK ETA app used for?

The UK ETA app is used to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) which is required for certain individuals to travel to the UK. The application process is designed to be quick and straightforward, allowing users to complete it in approximately 10 minutes.

How do I apply for a UK ETA using the app?

To apply, you will need to take a photo of your passport, scan the chip in your passport, scan your face, take a photo of yourself, answer a few questions, and pay the application fee. You will need an iPhone 8 or newer with iOS 16 or later, your passport, a payment method, and access to your emails.

How much does a UK ETA cost?

The application for a UK ETA requires a fee, which can be paid using a credit card, debit card, or Apple Pay. The exact cost is not specified in the description, but it is a required part of the application process.

What happens after I apply for a UK ETA?

After submitting your application, you will receive a decision by email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), usually within a day, but allow up to 3 working days. The email will contain your 16-digit ETA reference number. You must wait for this confirmation before travelling to the UK.

Is the UK ETA app secure?

Yes, the app is designed to be safe and secure. No information is stored on the app or your phone after you close it. You can delete the app once your application is complete. For further information on online safety, you can visit the UK Cyber Aware website.