Last Updated: September 2026
If your UK ETA is refused, there is no appeal, and reapplying for another ETA is not the fix. The Home Office’s position is that a refused applicant who still wants to come to the UK needs to apply for a visa. For tourists, family visits and business trips, that means a Standard Visitor Visa. This applies even if the refusal came from your own mistake on the form.
This guide focuses on what to do after a UK ETA refusal. For the general UK ETA overview, see our complete UK ETA guide.
⚡ UK ETA Refusal: Quick Facts
| Can I appeal? | No. There is no appeal or review of an ETA refusal |
| What does the Home Office say to do? | Apply for a visa if you still want to travel |
| Can I just reapply for the ETA? | Not a safe route. A new ETA application does not overturn the refusal |
| Refused because of my own mistake? | Same answer: apply for the visa and explain the mistake there |
| Which visa? | Standard Visitor Visa, £135 for stays of up to 6 months |
| How long does the visa take? | About 3 weeks as standard; paid priority options where available |
| Is a refusal a ban? | No. You can still come to the UK with a visa |
| Is my £20 refundable? | No. ETA fees are non-refundable |
What the Home Office Says After an ETA Refusal
The Home Office’s own ETA factsheet is direct: if an ETA application is refused, the applicant cannot appeal and needs to apply for a visa if they still want permission to come to the UK. Legal guidance on ETA refusals says the same thing, and so do UK immigration advice services.
A refused ETA is not a refusal of entry to the UK and it is not a ban. It means the fast, automated route is closed to you, and your case now needs to go through a visa application where a caseworker looks at your circumstances and any explanation you give.
Why Reapplying for the ETA Isn’t the Fix
An earlier version of this page said you could reapply for the ETA straight away if the refusal came from a fixable mistake. That was wrong, and we’ve corrected it.
A reader told us what happened when they followed that path. They ticked the wrong answer on the criminal record question and were refused. They reapplied with the correct answer and received an approval, then were denied boarding at the airport. When they called the UK number the airline gave them, they were told the original refusal still stood and the only route was a visa.
The online system may let you submit another ETA application, and it may even produce an approval. Neither changes the official position, and neither is something you want to discover at check-in. If your ETA has been refused, plan on the Standard Visitor Visa.
🛂 Refused an ETA? Get your visitor visa application right
The Standard Visitor Visa is a much longer application than the ETA, with supporting documents and a biometrics appointment. iVisa guides you through the form, checks your documents before you submit, and gives you support you can reach if something goes wrong. A service fee applies on top of the government fee.
Start Your UK Visitor Visa →Affiliate partner — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Why Was My UK ETA Refused?
Refusal emails are usually brief and rarely spell out the exact reason. Refusals generally come from one of these areas:
1. Criminal record. The ETA rules on criminality are strict, and a conviction declared on the form can lead to refusal even when it is old or was minor where it happened.
2. Immigration history. Previous overstays, breaches of visa conditions, deportation, or a previously refused UK visitor visa or cancelled ETA.
3. False or inconsistent information. Answers that don’t match Home Office records, including undeclared history the Home Office already knows about.
4. Security concerns. Matches against security or law enforcement databases. These are opaque, and you may never know the specifics.
5. A mistake on your own form. Ticking “yes” to a criminal record question by accident can produce a refusal just as a genuine issue would. (A mistyped passport number or other identity problem usually leads to a rejection instead; see the box above.)
If the email doesn’t say why, your own history and your own answers are the best guide. Whatever the reason, the next step is the same.
If the Refusal Was Your Mistake
This is the most frustrating version of a refusal, and it is common. You answered a question wrongly, the system refused you, and you know the real answer would have been fine.
The visa application is where you fix it. Unlike the ETA form, it lets you explain what happened and back it up with evidence:
- Declare the ETA refusal when the visa form asks about previous refusals. Don’t leave it out.
- Explain plainly what you answered, what the correct answer is, and that the refusal came from that error.
- Where it helps, include evidence, such as a police certificate showing no criminal record.
- Keep your refusal email and your ETA reference number so the details are consistent.
If you’re unsure how to present it, a UK immigration adviser can review your case before you submit.
Applying for a UK Standard Visitor Visa
The Standard Visitor Visa covers the same purposes as the ETA: tourism, visiting family, business meetings and short courses. The difference is that a caseworker reviews your application instead of an automated system.
Key facts:
- Cost: £135 for up to 6 months (since 8 April 2026). Longer-term 2, 5 and 10 year visit visas cost more.
- Processing: usually about 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK. Priority and super priority services cost extra and are not available everywhere.
- Process: online application, then a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre.
- Documents: passport, evidence of funds, details of your trip and accommodation, and evidence of your job or ties at home. If your refusal relates to your history, include documents that address it.
Take care with the application. A refused visitor visa is a more significant record than a refused ETA, and it will need declaring on future applications.
If Your Trip Is Soon
A visitor visa usually takes weeks, not days. If your flight is close, the realistic options are to move your travel dates, pay for a priority service where your visa centre offers one, or rework your route.
If the UK was only a connection, check whether you can stay airside. Airside transit, where you never pass through UK passport control, doesn’t require an ETA for visa-exempt nationalities. See our UK ETA transit guide and confirm the arrangement with your airline before you fly.
What an ETA Refusal Does and Doesn’t Mean
It doesn’t:
- Ban you from the UK
- Stop you applying for a Standard Visitor Visa or any other UK visa
- Affect visas you already hold for other countries
It does:
- Close the ETA route for this trip, so you need a visa
- Need declaring on your UK visa application, and on other countries’ forms where they ask about refused travel permissions
- Cost you the £20 fee, which isn’t refunded
To avoid a refusal in the first place, see our guide to UK ETA application mistakes.
🛡️ Travel Insurance for Your UK Trip
Once your visa is approved, you still need cover while you’re there. Visitors are billed for most NHS hospital treatment. SafetyWing covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalization and evacuation, up to $250,000, across 185+ countries.
Get Travel Insurance →Affiliate partner — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I appeal a UK ETA refusal?
No. There is no appeal or administrative review for a refused ETA. The Home Office says that if your ETA is refused and you still want to come to the UK, you need to apply for a visa. For most visitors that is the Standard Visitor Visa.
Can I reapply for a UK ETA after a refusal?
It isn’t a safe route. The official next step after a refusal is a visa application, and a new ETA application does not overturn the refusal. A reader who reapplied and received an approval was still denied boarding and told they needed a visa.
I made a mistake on my ETA form and was refused. What should I do?
Apply for a Standard Visitor Visa. Declare the ETA refusal on the visa form, explain the mistake, and include any evidence that supports the correct answer, such as a police certificate if you answered a criminal record question wrongly.
I was refused, reapplied and got an ETA approval. Can I fly?
Don’t rely on it. The Home Office’s position is that a refused applicant needs a visa, and a later ETA approval may not get you through check-in. Contact UK Visas and Immigration before you travel, and plan on applying for a Standard Visitor Visa.
What’s the difference between a rejected and a refused UK ETA?
A rejected application is one where the Home Office couldn’t verify your identity from what you submitted, such as a mistyped passport number. It isn’t assessed further, and GOV.UK says you can apply again with the correct details. A refused application was assessed and didn’t meet the suitability rules. There’s no appeal, and the route forward is a visa.
If my UK ETA is refused, am I banned from the UK?
No. A refused ETA is not a ban and not a refusal of entry. It means you need a visa instead of an ETA to come to the UK.
How much does a UK Standard Visitor Visa cost?
£135 for a visit of up to six months, since 8 April 2026. Decisions usually take about three weeks from outside the UK. Priority services cost extra and are not offered at every visa centre.
Is the £20 UK ETA fee refunded if I’m refused?
No. The £20 fee is non-refundable. The Standard Visitor Visa is a separate £135 fee.
Do I have to declare an ETA refusal on future applications?
Declare it on your UK visa application. Other countries’ forms vary, so read each question and answer it as asked. Leaving out a refusal that a form asks about causes far more trouble than disclosing it.
How do I find out why my UK ETA was refused?
The refusal email often gives little detail. Your own history and the answers you gave on the form are the best guide. If it is still unclear, a UK immigration adviser can review your situation before you apply for a visa.
Can I still connect through a UK airport after an ETA refusal?
Possibly, if you stay airside and never pass through UK passport control. Visa-exempt nationalities don’t need an ETA for airside transit. Confirm your connection is airside with your airline before you fly.
🌍 Planning a Trip Outside the UK Too?
Check entry requirements and stay limits for every other country on your route while your UK visa is in progress.
Use the Europe Travel Planner →Related Articles
- UK ETA: Complete Guide (All Nationalities) — the general UK ETA overview covering all 85 visa-exempt nationalities
- UK ETA Application Mistakes to Avoid — the errors that cause refusals in the first place
- UK ETA Processing Time: What to Expect — how long approval takes and when to worry about delays
- UK ETA for Transit and Layovers — airside transit rules if you need to connect through the UK
- UK ETA for Americans: Complete Guide — US-specific rules including Heathrow transit and dual citizenship
- UK ETA for Canadians: Complete Guide — Canada-specific rules including NEXUS card and French application notes
- UK ETA for Australians: Complete Guide — Australia-specific rules including Working Holiday Scheme and dual citizenship
- Best Travel Insurance for Europe — coverage options for UK and Schengen travel
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. UK ETA refusals are case-specific. For serious immigration issues, consult a qualified UK immigration adviser. Always verify current requirements at GOV.UK before traveling. Last updated: September 2026.
Schengen Traveler is reader-supported. Some links on this page may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we trust. See our privacy policy for details.