Despite the simple and user-friendly UK eTA application process, even small errors or typos can lead to processing delays or reapplications. This guide clearly highlights the common pitfalls that applicants face during the application, along with the practical advice on how to avoid them.
Nationality Restriction: Ignoring your eligibility for an UK eTA can lead to wasted time and effort.
Invalid Travel Purpose: Applying for an UK eTA if your reason for visiting is for unauthorised purposes.
Before applying, confirm whether you’re eligible for a UK eTA application to save time and visit the UK only for approved travel purposes.
Peak Season Timing: Applying during or right before the national holidays or peak season, when the application volume can be enormous.
Late Application: Applying too close to your travel date gives no buffer time for any unexpected processing issues.
Apply well in advance for your UK eTA application, which would ideally be 3-4 days before your trip to allow some time for processing.
Blank Fields: Leaving mandatory sections in your UK eTA application form completely empty.
Incorrect Information: Entering wrong name, passport number and other details that do not match with your passport or travel documents.
Always double-check your entries, especially personal details like full name, passport number, and nationality before hitting submit.
Expired Passport: Using a passport which will expire before or during your trip to the United Kingdom.
Damaged or Blurry Scans: Uploading a cropped, unclear or black and white scan of your passport bio page.
Use a passport which remains valid for your entire stay in the UK. Use only clear and high-quality passport scans.
Poor-Quality Photos: Uploading photos that are not cropped, outdated or not showing the applicant's face clearly.
Face Obstructions: Wearing a headgear, spectacles, mask, heavy make up or anything that hides any feature of your face.
Use only recent photos of the applicant where each facial feature is clearly visible with no obstructions. Only plain light backgrounds are accepted.
Invalid Cards: Using unsupported cards, insufficient balance, or mismatched cardholder names.
Exiting Early: Closing your browser early or hitting back before your payment is processed.
Use only internationally enabled credit or debit cards and make sure they have sufficient balance. Always wait for the payment to be processed and receive confirmation.
Ignoring Email Updates: Applicants not responding in a timely manner to the update requests sent by the eTA support.
Missing Documents: Failing to provide any supporting documents on time to resume processing of your application.
Keep checking your registered email and spam folders regularly after submitting your application, and act promptly for any additional requests.
Only Digital Copy: Relying solely on a stable internet connection to access your eVisa approval at the airport.
No Offline Access: Forgetting to take print of your approved UK eTA as backup before travelling.
Keep both digital and printed copies of your eTA. Save the digital copy in your phone directly as backup to access it while offline.
Fill the UK eTA application form with your passport, travel and general details.
Upload the required documents and pay the processing fee using an available payment option.
Once approved, your UK eTA will be shared with you via email.
Note: The UK eTA support is available 24/7 to resolve your queries related to application, submission or approval.
