# UK ETA > App for applying for UK electronic travel authorisation (ETA). (iPhone/iPad app by Home Office.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uk-eta/id6444912481 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Home Office](https://appshunter.io/developer/1478906988) - Category: Utilities, Travel - Price: Free - Rating: 3.20/5 from 1,517 App Store ratings · 808 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.0 · 225 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2023-10-23 - Data updated: 2026-08-28 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uk-eta/id6444912481/reviews.md ## What is UK ETA? 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: • an iPhone 8 or newer with IOS 16 or later • 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 ## Key features - Apply for UK ETA - Scan passport chip - Facial scan for identity - Digital payment - Email decision notification - Secure application process ## Chart rankings - #18 in Top Free · Utilities (US App Store) ## What do users think of UK ETA? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 🚀 Easy and straightforward - 💳 Supports Apple Pay - ⚡️ Quick approval process - 📸 Convenient photo/passport scanning **Cons** - 🤖 Inconsistent passport chip scanning - 🔄 App crashes or freezes during payment - 💰 Charges in USD for UK ETA - 🤔 Unclear instructions for US passports **Commonly reported bugs** - Camera not working on certain devices - Inability to retake passport photo - Payment process issues causing app to freeze **Most requested features** - Account to track application status - Digital copy of ETA within the app - Support for multiple family members in one application ## Recent user reviews (10 of 808) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uk-eta/id6444912481/reviews.md ### 1/5 — So frustrating *2026-08-19, version 2.36.882* Absolutely awful ### 5/5 — Worked perfectly at good price *2026-08-19, version 2.36.882* We almost bought the visa on another app that comes first with paid placement and they were about to charge me 190$ CAD each person for extra fast service, for the SAME service I got here. This app IS the good place to go. It is fast, and it charges decent price (39$CAD each person) for extra fast service. I did it AT the airport beside the counter. It was delivered in my email address 2 minutes after filling the form. Great app. ### 1/5 — Chip scanning doesn’t work *2026-08-18, version 2.36.882* Chip scanning doesn’t work ### 1/5 — Waste of time *2026-08-18, version 2.36.882* Even if you remove your phone cover, the app starts to rotate its disc immediately after you click and reply yes that your passport has a chip even before you begin the scanning process ### 1/5 — Bug *2026-08-18, version 2.36.882* Keeps getting frozen on the biometric chip screen ### 5/5 — Works perfectly *2026-08-17, version 2.36.882* Crazy how efficient and well designed this app is. ### 5/5 — changed from one star to five LOL *2026-08-17, version 2.36.882* Alright, I tried again. Instead of repeatedly taking photos of our passports (waiting for the app to tell me if the photo met its requirements), I decided to “use this photo” since it looked as clear as possible. Turns out that was the right call because my ETA was approved by the time I finished my husband’s! So, I’ve amended my review. If you’re getting frustrated with taking a photo of your passport because it keeps telling you that it doesn’t meet the requirements, just make sure the text is clear, four edges are visible, and minimize the glare and reflection as much as possible. It lists these things when it asks if you’re sure you want to submit. And then just submit. If you’re completing more than one ETA (eg, for someone else), know that you will have to complete one at a time. There’s no “add a person” feature so expect to check out and pay for each application before moving on to the next one. Previous review: I’ve spent 45 minutes just trying to take ONE satisfactory photo of my passport. Extremely annoying that you can’t upload a scanned copy or a photo and then get it approved. It’s also very annoying that there is no “back button” in case you select something by accident. There is no choice but to exit the app and start over again! ### 1/5 — England isn’t an option for UK travel!? *2026-08-13, version 2.36.882* I have tried multiple times to use the app and choose England as the country I’m going to but there isn’t an option for it. How is that possible. ### 5/5 — ***Extremely*** efficient *2026-08-12, version 2.36.882* I was hesitant to use this app, given the mediocre ratings. One can apply online with a browser. However, that option redirects you to this app as the preferred method. So, I tried it. It was *exceptionally* efficient. It only took me a few minutes to complete the process. It was very easy. And, I was approved within two minutes! ### 1/5 — Camera permission didn’t work, ruined my day *2026-08-12, version 2.36.882* The app was unable to use my camera for no apparent reason. always showed up as camera unavailable. on top of that, i revoked the privilege and then allowed camera access again. still no luck. then i uninstalled the app and reinstalled the app, same outcome. if the app cannot use my camera there should be a reason why. i’m on a newer iphone so idk what the issue is. ## Frequently asked questions about UK ETA ### 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. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.42.909 — 2026-08-19 Performance improvements ### 2.36.882 — 2026-07-30 Performance improvements ### 2.36.880 — 2026-05-28 Performance improvements ### 2.32.858 — 2026-03-18 Performance improvements ### 2.32.857 — 2026-03-11 Performance improvements ## Apps similar to UK ETA | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [GOV.UK ID Check](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/govuk-id-check/id1629050566) | 4.8 (5,075) | Free | Utilities | | [GOV.UK One Login](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/govuk-one-login/id6737119425) | 4.5 (2,772) | Free | Utilities | | [Case Tracker for USCIS & NVC](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/case-tracker-for-uscis-and-nvc/id921827126) | 4.8 (316,095) | Free | Utilities | | [Lyca Mobile UK](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lyca-mobile-uk/id1670808515) | 1.0 (11) | Free | Utilities | | [TaMyPa](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tamypa/id1590579074) | — | Free | Utilities | | [Secret Detector Monitor Detect](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/secret-detector-monitor-detect/id6743766457) | 4.7 (3) | Free | Utilities | ## More apps by Home Office - [EU Exit: ID Document Check](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eu-exit-id-document-check/id1478914184) - [UK Immigration: ID Check](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uk-immigration-id-check/id1499891460) All apps by Home Office: https://appshunter.io/developer/1478906988 ## Related topics [eta](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/eta) · [uk eta](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-eta) · [uk eta application](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-eta-application) · [uk eta visa](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-eta-visa) · [uk eta visa services](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-eta-visa-services) · [electronic travel authorization](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/electronic-travel-authorization) · [uk eta ap](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-eta-ap) · [uk eta app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-eta-app) · [england eta](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/england-eta) · [uk visa](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-visa) · [uk](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk) · [uk travel authorization](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-travel-authorization) · [eta application](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/eta-application) · [uk eta utilities](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-eta-utilities) · [uk eta travel](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-eta-travel) · [uk eta home office](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-eta-home-office) · [uk travel](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-travel) · [uk home office](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-home-office) · [uk visa app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-visa-app) · [uk government](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/uk-government) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*