A UK ETA application on etourist.com passes through two systems: eTourist’s own preparation, then the UK Home Office’s processing. This post looks at both halves, what the forms collect, how decisions are made, how long they take and who never needs to apply at all.
| Stage | Typical timing | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Filling in the eTourist form | About 5 minutes | eTourist |
| eTourist preparation | Depends on Standard, Rush or Super Rush | eTourist terms |
| Most app decisions | Minutes | Home Office |
| Usual decision | Within a day | GOV.UK |
| Applications needing more checks | Up to 3 working days | GOV.UK |
What the Official Form Collects
Whichever route you choose, the Home Office ends up with the same core information. GOV.UK describes two official ways in.
The UK ETA app
- Take a photo of the passport photo page.
- Scan the passport chip by holding the phone against it.
- Complete a face scan, required for applicants aged 10 and over.
- Take a face photo that meets the photo rules.
- Answer questions on address, employment, nationality and criminal history.
- Pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
The online form and eTourist
The GOV.UK online form replaces the scans with uploaded photos of the passport and face. eTourist’s web form collects passport details, a face photo, an email and a payment card, then submits the application to the government for you.
| Route | Device needs | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| UK ETA app | iPhone 7 on iOS 16 or newer, or Android 12 with NFC | GBP 20 |
| GOV.UK online form | Any browser | GBP 20 |
| eTourist | Any browser | GBP 20 plus service fee |
From Submission to Decision
The Home Office says most applicants using the app get an automatic decision within minutes. Some applications need further checks, which is why GOV.UK allows up to 3 working days.
- Automatic checks run first on every application.
- Flagged cases go to a manual review.
- The decision is sent by email.
- An approval includes a 16-digit ETA reference number.
GOV.UK suggests checking the spam folder if nothing arrives after three working days, before contacting UK Visas and Immigration.
Photo Rules That Affect Processing
The face photo is one of the most common reasons for delays. GOV.UK says photos must follow its rules for digital photos of faces, or the application can be delayed or rejected.
- A plain, light-coloured background in a well-lit room
- No shadows on the face or behind it
- A plain expression with eyes open and visible
- No filters, editing or tinted glasses
Children must be alone in the picture, and babies under one may have their eyes closed.
Applying on Someone Else’s Behalf
GOV.UK allows one person to apply for others. In the app, the other person must be with you for the face scan. On the online form, you can apply without them present if you have photos of their passport and face.
eTourist works the same way from the traveller’s side: you set the number of travellers and fill in each person’s details. Either way, every traveller ends up with their own ETA linked to their own passport.
Decision Timing in Numbers
Official figures show how quickly the scheme has grown. The Home Office reported 13.3 million successful applicants by 24 November 2025, over 19 million by January 2026, and 24.8 million ETAs issued from launch to the end of 2025.
Note. These counts come from different Home Office publications and do not all measure the same thing. Treat them as signs of scale rather than one consistent series.
eTourist’s marketing claims “99% approved within 1 hour”. That is the company’s own figure. The government’s guidance remains the safer basis for planning, with three working days as the recommended margin.
What eTourist Checks Before Submission
eTourist’s pages describe a review by its team before anything reaches the government. Its UK page talks about specialist error-checking of the details you enter.
If something is missing or unclear, the order moves to an Info Needed status and the team emails you. Its terms say preparation time only starts once all required materials are received, so the review can only move as fast as your replies.
Good to know. The review checks what you entered against the passport and the photo rules. It cannot change how the Home Office assesses the answers themselves.
How eTourist Adds a Step Before the Home Office
Going through eTourist puts a preparation stage in front of government processing. Its terms describe three service levels.
| Service level | What it changes | What it does not change |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Normal preparation time | Government processing |
| Rush | Faster preparation | Government processing |
| Super Rush | Fastest preparation | Government processing |
The terms add that preparation time starts once eTourist has every required detail. A slow reply to a question therefore delays the whole process, whatever level you paid for.
Who Skips the Process Entirely
Many travellers do not need an ETA at all. GOV.UK keeps a full list on its page on when you do not need an ETA.
Common exemptions
- British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens
- Holders of a UK visa, or permission to live, work or study in the UK
- People with settled or pre-settled status or right of abode
- Holders of a British overseas territories passport or a British National (Overseas) passport
- People transiting airside without passing border control
Less obvious cases
People who are exempt from immigration control, or who do not need permission to enter, are also outside the scheme. People who live in Ireland and travel from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man do not need an ETA, though visa nationals still need a visa. Children on a France-UK school trip travel information form are also exempt, as are people waiting for a decision on an EU Settlement Scheme application.
When Processing Ends in a Refusal
A refusal closes the ETA route. The Home Office factsheet says refused applicants cannot appeal and need to apply for a visa instead.
Warning. The GBP 20 government fee is not refunded after you apply. eTourist’s service fee is refunded for a refusal only with Denial Protection bought beforehand, and not if the application held inaccurate information.
Boarding Checks at the End of the Line
Processing does not end with the email. Since 25 February 2026, airlines and other carriers check for a valid ETA before departure and refuse boarding to visitors who need one and lack it.
The check runs against the passport you present, because the ETA is linked to the passport used in the application. Border Force then makes the final entry decision on arrival.
Good to know. The Home Office advises dual British nationals to carry British documentation, so the airline does not refuse boarding for a missing ETA.
After Approval, What Can Change
An approved ETA is not fixed forever. GOV.UK sets out what happens when circumstances change.
| Change | What to do |
|---|---|
| New or replacement passport | Apply for a new ETA with the new passport |
| Wrong details in the application | Apply again with the correct details |
| Passport expires | The ETA ends with it |
| Two years pass | The ETA expires and a new one is needed |
Each new application carries the GBP 20 fee again, plus a service fee if you use eTourist.
Use eTourist If or Apply Directly If
| Use eTourist if | Apply directly if |
|---|---|
| You want a person to check the form before submission | Your phone meets the app requirements |
| You prefer a simple web form to the app | You want to pay only the GBP 20 fee |
| You want 24/7 chat during the process | You are applying close to departure |
| You accept the refund rules and service fee | You would rather the data went straight to the Home Office |
This is general information, not immigration advice. Check GOV.UK for the current rules before you travel.