Using the 'UK ETA' app - GOV.UK
Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-uk-eta-app
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:31
Using the 'UK ETA' app - GOV.UK
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Guidance
Using the 'UK ETA' app
Information on using the app to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published
25 October 2023
Last updated
9 April 2026
—
See all updates
Before you
apply for an
ETA
using the ‘UK
ETA
’ app, you need:
the passport you will travel with – not a photocopy or digital passport
an email address
a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
This app is only available in English.
Check if you can use the app on your phone
iPhone users
The ‘UK
ETA
’ app is available for iPhone 7 and newer models. You will need:
an iPhone 7, 7 Plus or newer
iOS 16 or later – to find the software version installed, go to Settings > General, then About
at least 179MB of storage space to install the app
to be connected to 3G, 4G, 5G or WiFi
Download the app from the App Store
.
Android users
You will need:
Android 12 or later – you can find this in your settings
at least 165MB of storage space to install the app
to be connected to 3G, 4G, 5G or WiFi
NFC
(Near-Field Communication) so the app can scan your passport – you can find this in your settings. If you can use your phone to pay for things using contactless, this means it has
NFC
and you can use the app
Download the app from the Google Play Store
.
Whichever phone you use, the app will need access to the camera. If the app does not request access, enable it in your settings.
Check if you can apply for someone else
If you are with the person you want to apply for, you can use the app. You will need to take a photo of them and scan their face.
To apply for someone who is not with you,
apply online
.
Take a photo of the passport
You must take a photo of the same passport you will use to travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. It must be the original passport, not a photocopy or digital passport.
Take a photo of the photo page of your passport using your phone’s camera.
The app will prompt you to adjust your phone to make sure you capture your passport correctly. These prompts will appear in a text box at the top of your screen.
Make sure the photo:
includes the whole photo page of your passport
is not blurry
Try taking the photo of your passport at arm’s length if you have problems.
Scan the passport
Top tips on how to scan a passport biometric chip: video - GOV.UK
If your passport has this symbol on the cover, it can be scanned by the app.
Remove any cases or covers from your passport and phone.
Place the phone on top of your passport. Aim the top of your phone with the middle of your passport.
If the volume on your phone is turned up, you will hear a beep when your passport has been recognised.
If the app does not recognise your passport, move your phone around the passport.
United States passports
If scanning the front of the passport does not work, place the phone on the inside of the back cover.
If you cannot scan your passport
The app will take your passport details from the photo of your passport.
Check these details carefully. If they do not match what it says on your passport, your application will be delayed or rejected.
Video: how to scan a passport biometric chip
Watch our video on how to scan a passport biometric chip.
Top tips: scan a passport biometric chip
Take a face scan
The app will use your camera to scan your face. This is to confirm you are a real person.
If you are applying for someone aged 10 or older, you need to scan their face.
You will not be asked to scan the face of a child aged 9 or younger.
Hold your phone’s camera in front of your face until the scanning is complete.
Take a face photo
You need to take a photo of your face using the app. If you are applying for someone else, such as a child, take a photo of their face.
The app will tell you if your photo does not meet the
photo requirements
. You can still submit it if you need to – for example, if you have a head covering because of religious or medical reasons.
You can retake the photo before submitting it.
Video: how to take a digital photo
Watch our video on how to take a suitable digital photo.
UKVI guidance: taking a photo
Complete the application
You need to answer questions about your:
address
job
other nationalities, if you have any
You need to answer questions about any criminal convictions. Describe these in as much detail as you can, including:
the type of offence (for example, theft, assault or fraud)
the date of conviction
the sentence you received (for example, a fine, community service or prison sentence)
If you are under 18, you need to give contact details for someone who has parental responsibility for you.
Pay for the application
You need to pay in the app. It will show you the price in the local currency for your country. You can change which currency you pay in.
You can use:
Apple Pay
Google Pay
American Express
JCB
Mastercard
Visa
Your bank may need you to:
enter a security code
open your bank app to confirm it is you making the payment
After you apply
You will get an email to confirm you submitted your application.
You will get another email with a decision on your application. This can take 3 working days.
These emails will include your 16-digit
ETA
reference number.
You can delete the app after you finish applying.
Travelling with an
ETA
Your
ETA
is linked to your passport digitally. You do not need anything else to show you have an
ETA
.
If you need help using the app
If you have problems using the app, you can
apply online
instead.
You can also
ask about
ETA
if you need help.
Updates to this page
Published 25 October 2023
Last updated 9 April 2026
+
show all updates
9 April 2026
An ETA can now be used to travel to Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, as well as the UK.
20 March 2026
Added links to videos on how to scan a passport biometric chip and how to take a suitable digital photo.
11 March 2026
'Scan the passport' section: added a link to the video 'top tips on how to scan a passport biometric chip'.
20 February 2026
'Take a face photo' section: added a link to the detailed guide to taking a face photo for an application.
17 November 2025
Added more details about paying for your application and what happens afterwards.
7 February 2025
Updated the operating systems needed to install the app. iPhone users need iOS 16 or later, Android users need Android 12 or later.
29 January 2025
Added a section on scanning United States passports. If scanning the front cover does not work, place your phone on the inside of the back cover.
13 March 2024
iPhone users now need at least iOS 15 to download the app.
25 October 2023
First published.
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Contents
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Thank you for your feedback
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To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today.
Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab
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Cookies on GOV.UK
We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies.
You can
change your cookie settings
at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies.
You can
change your cookie settings
at any time.
View cookies
Skip to main content
Guidance
Using the 'UK ETA' app
Information on using the app to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published
25 October 2023
Last updated
9 April 2026
—
See all updates
Before you
apply for an
ETA
using the ‘UK
ETA
’ app, you need:
the passport you will travel with – not a photocopy or digital passport
an email address
a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
This app is only available in English.
Check if you can use the app on your phone
iPhone users
The ‘UK
ETA
’ app is available for iPhone 7 and newer models. You will need:
an iPhone 7, 7 Plus or newer
iOS 16 or later – to find the software version installed, go to Settings > General, then About
at least 179MB of storage space to install the app
to be connected to 3G, 4G, 5G or WiFi
Download the app from the App Store
.
Android users
You will need:
Android 12 or later – you can find this in your settings
at least 165MB of storage space to install the app
to be connected to 3G, 4G, 5G or WiFi
NFC
(Near-Field Communication) so the app can scan your passport – you can find this in your settings. If you can use your phone to pay for things using contactless, this means it has
NFC
and you can use the app
Download the app from the Google Play Store
.
Whichever phone you use, the app will need access to the camera. If the app does not request access, enable it in your settings.
Check if you can apply for someone else
If you are with the person you want to apply for, you can use the app. You will need to take a photo of them and scan their face.
To apply for someone who is not with you,
apply online
.
Take a photo of the passport
You must take a photo of the same passport you will use to travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. It must be the original passport, not a photocopy or digital passport.
Take a photo of the photo page of your passport using your phone’s camera.
The app will prompt you to adjust your phone to make sure you capture your passport correctly. These prompts will appear in a text box at the top of your screen.
Make sure the photo:
includes the whole photo page of your passport
is not blurry
Try taking the photo of your passport at arm’s length if you have problems.
Scan the passport
Top tips on how to scan a passport biometric chip: video - GOV.UK
If your passport has this symbol on the cover, it can be scanned by the app.
Remove any cases or covers from your passport and phone.
Place the phone on top of your passport. Aim the top of your phone with the middle of your passport.
If the volume on your phone is turned up, you will hear a beep when your passport has been recognised.
If the app does not recognise your passport, move your phone around the passport.
United States passports
If scanning the front of the passport does not work, place the phone on the inside of the back cover.
If you cannot scan your passport
The app will take your passport details from the photo of your passport.
Check these details carefully. If they do not match what it says on your passport, your application will be delayed or rejected.
Video: how to scan a passport biometric chip
Watch our video on how to scan a passport biometric chip.
Top tips: scan a passport biometric chip
Take a face scan
The app will use your camera to scan your face. This is to confirm you are a real person.
If you are applying for someone aged 10 or older, you need to scan their face.
You will not be asked to scan the face of a child aged 9 or younger.
Hold your phone’s camera in front of your face until the scanning is complete.
Take a face photo
You need to take a photo of your face using the app. If you are applying for someone else, such as a child, take a photo of their face.
The app will tell you if your photo does not meet the
photo requirements
. You can still submit it if you need to – for example, if you have a head covering because of religious or medical reasons.
You can retake the photo before submitting it.
Video: how to take a digital photo
Watch our video on how to take a suitable digital photo.
UKVI guidance: taking a photo
Complete the application
You need to answer questions about your:
address
job
other nationalities, if you have any
You need to answer questions about any criminal convictions. Describe these in as much detail as you can, including:
the type of offence (for example, theft, assault or fraud)
the date of conviction
the sentence you received (for example, a fine, community service or prison sentence)
If you are under 18, you need to give contact details for someone who has parental responsibility for you.
Pay for the application
You need to pay in the app. It will show you the price in the local currency for your country. You can change which currency you pay in.
You can use:
Apple Pay
Google Pay
American Express
JCB
Mastercard
Visa
Your bank may need you to:
enter a security code
open your bank app to confirm it is you making the payment
After you apply
You will get an email to confirm you submitted your application.
You will get another email with a decision on your application. This can take 3 working days.
These emails will include your 16-digit
ETA
reference number.
You can delete the app after you finish applying.
Travelling with an
ETA
Your
ETA
is linked to your passport digitally. You do not need anything else to show you have an
ETA
.
If you need help using the app
If you have problems using the app, you can
apply online
instead.
You can also
ask about
ETA
if you need help.
Updates to this page
Published 25 October 2023
Last updated 9 April 2026
+
show all updates
9 April 2026
An ETA can now be used to travel to Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, as well as the UK.
20 March 2026
Added links to videos on how to scan a passport biometric chip and how to take a suitable digital photo.
11 March 2026
'Scan the passport' section: added a link to the video 'top tips on how to scan a passport biometric chip'.
20 February 2026
'Take a face photo' section: added a link to the detailed guide to taking a face photo for an application.
17 November 2025
Added more details about paying for your application and what happens afterwards.
7 February 2025
Updated the operating systems needed to install the app. iPhone users need iOS 16 or later, Android users need Android 12 or later.
29 January 2025
Added a section on scanning United States passports. If scanning the front cover does not work, place your phone on the inside of the back cover.
13 March 2024
iPhone users now need at least iOS 15 to download the app.
25 October 2023
First published.
Sign up for emails or print this page
Contents
Is this page useful?
Maybe
Thank you for your feedback
Help us improve GOV.UK
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today.
Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab
)
.