UK ETA Application Mistakes to Avoid (2026)

Last Updated: September 2026

Many UK ETA refusals and delays come from preventable application mistakes: wrong passport details, bad photos, or a wrong answer on the criminality questions. The stakes are higher than the £20 fee. A refused ETA can’t be appealed, and reapplying for another ETA doesn’t fix it. The Home Office route after a refusal is a full Standard Visitor Visa. Here are the most common mistakes Americans, Canadians, Australians, and other ETA applicants make, and how to avoid them.

This guide focuses on application mistakes that cause UK ETA refusals or delays. For the general UK ETA overview, see our complete UK ETA guide.

⚡ UK ETA Mistakes: Quick Facts

Can a refusal be fixed by reapplying?No — the route after a refusal is a Standard Visitor Visa
Is the £20 fee refundable?No — it’s non-refundable regardless of outcome
Most dangerous mistake?A wrong answer on the criminality questions, in either direction
Do typos matter?Yes — they can cause delay, rejection, or an ETA linked to the wrong passport
Is the photo important?Very — bad photos are the easiest fixable cause of delays
Refused a UK visitor visa before?Apply for a visa instead — the ETA rules require refusal in most cases
Same details every time?Yes — inconsistency with past UK records can trigger manual review
Apply from family member’s device?OK — but finish each person’s application before starting the next

Mistake #1: Wrong Passport Details

Mistyping your passport number, getting the expiry date wrong, or entering the wrong date of birth can delay your application or get it rejected, because the Home Office can’t verify your identity. A rejected application isn’t assessed, and GOV.UK says you can apply again with the correct details (and pay the fee again). And if an ETA is granted against a mistyped passport number, it isn’t linked to the passport you’re actually carrying, so the airline won’t find it at check-in.

How to avoid: Have your physical passport in front of you when applying, or use the official app to scan the passport chip. Type the passport number character by character. Double-check the expiry date, since your ETA ends when your passport expires. Check that the issuing country matches your passport.

Most common error: Confusing “0” (zero) with “O” (letter), or “1” with “I” (letter). Get the passport number character-perfect.

Mistake #2: Getting the Criminality Questions Wrong

The ETA form doesn’t ask about your whole criminal record. According to the Home Office’s own ETA caseworker guidance, it asks two specific questions:

  • Have you been convicted of a crime in the last 12 months?
  • Have you ever had a prison sentence of more than 12 months?

The same guidance says an ETA must be refused where the applicant has a conviction within the last 12 months, or a custodial or suspended sentence of 12 months or more. That means these answers carry more weight than anything else on the form, and a mistake in either direction is serious:

  • Answering “yes” by accident can produce a refusal you can’t undo by reapplying. You would then need a Standard Visitor Visa, where you can explain the error.
  • Answering “no” when the true answer is “yes” is a false statement. The Home Office checks applications against its records and security databases, and deception causes far bigger problems for future UK applications than the conviction itself.

How to avoid: Read each question slowly and answer exactly what it asks. A conviction more than 12 months old that didn’t lead to a prison sentence of more than 12 months doesn’t fall under either question. If you’re unsure whether your sentence counts (a suspended sentence, for example), get advice before you submit, or apply for a Standard Visitor Visa instead, where a caseworker can consider your circumstances.

Mistake #3: Bad Photos

Photo issues are the easiest mistake to fix but cause significant delays when they happen. The UK ETA requires a passport-style photo meeting specific criteria. Common photo mistakes:

  • Wrong background: Cluttered, patterned, or colored backgrounds reject. Use a plain white or light grey wall.
  • Wrong expression: No smile, mouth closed, neutral expression. Yes, looking directly at the camera.
  • Wrong lighting: Shadows on the face or background, harsh flash, dim lighting. Use natural daylight if possible.
  • Glasses on: Don’t wear glasses unless you have to. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are never allowed, and frames, glare or reflections must not cover your eyes.
  • Hair covering face: Eyebrows, eyes, and face outline must be fully visible.
  • Head covering for non-religious, non-medical reasons: Hats, hoods and bandanas are rejected. Head coverings worn for religious or medical reasons are allowed as long as your full face is visible.
  • Wrong angle: Looking down, up, or to the side. Photo must be straight-on.

How to avoid: Take the photo using the official UK ETA app — it guides you through positioning, lighting, and capture. If using the web application, take multiple photos with a smartphone in good light, wear a plain top, and use a plain wall. The app rejects bad photos before submission and asks you to retake — use that feedback.

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Mistake #4: Inconsistent Information Across Applications

The Home Office keeps records of past UK visa applications, refusals, approvals and border crossings. If you’ve previously applied under a slightly different name (married name vs maiden name, with or without a middle name), those records exist, and a mismatch can send your application to manual review.

The form also asks about your past dealings with UK immigration, such as whether you’ve been refused entry to the UK. Answer those questions accurately, even when the answer is inconvenient.

How to avoid: If you’ve previously dealt with the UK immigration system, use the same details. If your details have legitimately changed (marriage, legal name change), declare your other names where the form asks. Keep your previous UK visa documents handy for reference.

Mistake #5: Applying for an ETA After a UK Visitor Visa Refusal

The Immigration Rules for ETAs say an application must be refused if you’ve previously been refused a UK visitor visa or visitor entry, unless the Home Office has a record that you were later granted permission to come to the UK. The same applies if you’ve had a previous ETA cancelled. In those cases, the £20 ETA application is very likely wasted.

How to avoid: If you’ve ever been refused a UK visitor visa or had an ETA cancelled, and haven’t been granted UK permission since, apply for a Standard Visitor Visa instead of an ETA.

Mistake #6: Using a Nickname or Casual Name

Your UK ETA application must use the exact name on your passport — not a nickname, not a shortened version, not how you sign emails. “Bob” doesn’t equal “Robert.” “Mike” doesn’t equal “Michael.” The system will flag the mismatch.

How to avoid: Copy your name directly from your passport. Include all middle names and middle initials exactly as printed. If your passport shows “Robert James Smith,” the application says “Robert James Smith” — not “Bob Smith” or “Robert J Smith.”

Mistake #7: Wrong Application for a Family Member

Common scenario: a parent applying for several family members from the same device. It’s easy to attach the wrong photo or passport to the wrong person when switching between applications.

How to avoid: Complete one application fully (submit, pay, and confirm) before starting the next. Save each person’s reference number before moving on.

Mistake #8: Applying Too Close to Your Flight

Most ETA decisions arrive within minutes, but the Home Office tells applicants to allow 3 working days because some applications are flagged for further review. If yours is one of them and you applied the night before, you’ll miss your flight, because airlines check ETA status at check-in.

How to avoid: Apply as soon as you book, and at least 3 working days before you travel. If you have anything on your record that might trigger a closer look, apply earlier still.

Mistake #9: Paying with a Suspect Card

Cards flagged for fraud, prepaid cards with limited verification, or cards issued by banks not recognized by major payment processors can fail the £20 payment step.

How to avoid: Use a major credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) issued by a well-known bank in your country of residence.

Mistake #10: Not Saving the Confirmation

Once approved, your UK ETA is digitally linked to your passport. But you should still save the email confirmation. Reasons:

  • A backup if there’s any question at airline check-in
  • Reference number if you need to query the Home Office
  • Record of approval date for tracking the 2-year validity
  • A reminder if you renew your passport (the ETA is tied to it, so you’ll need a new one)

How to avoid: Save the approval email permanently. Take a screenshot. Note the reference number somewhere accessible during travel.

Mistake #11: Forgetting to Update When Passport Changes

Your UK ETA is linked to one specific passport. If you renew your passport (planned or because of damage or loss), your existing ETA no longer applies. There’s no transfer system: you must apply for a new ETA tied to the new passport.

How to avoid: Your passport must be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK; there’s no six-month rule. If you renew, apply for a new ETA straight away so it’s ready before your next UK trip.

Mistake #12: Applying Through Unofficial Sites

Some websites present themselves as “official” UK ETA application services and charge several times the £20 government fee without making clear they are private resellers.

How to avoid: Only apply through:

  • The official UK government website: GOV.UK/eta
  • The official UK ETA app (Apple App Store, Google Play)
  • Recognized third-party services like iVisa that are transparent about their service fee structure

Red flags for scam sites: prices significantly above £20 with no clear breakdown of “government fee” vs “service fee,” domain names with unusual extensions (.org for “official” services, dashes and abbreviations), no clear contact information, no privacy policy.

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What To Do If You’ve Already Made a Mistake

If you’ve submitted an application with errors and haven’t had a decision yet:

  • You can’t withdraw or amend a submitted ETA application. The Home Office’s caseworker guidance says requests to do so are refused, so the decision will be made on what you submitted.
  • If it’s rejected, or granted with wrong passport details, GOV.UK says you need to apply again with the correct details. Don’t travel on an ETA linked to the wrong passport number.
  • If the application is already refused, reapplying for another ETA won’t fix it. The route forward is a Standard Visitor Visa, where you can explain what went wrong. See our UK ETA refused guide for next steps.

If you’ve submitted an application and just want peace of mind: most applications are decided within minutes anyway. Wait for the decision, and if there’s a delay or refusal, you’ll know quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common UK ETA application mistake?

Wrong passport details and bad photos are the most common, and they usually cause delays. The most damaging is a wrong answer on the two criminality questions, because the Home Office’s guidance makes a “yes” to either one a ground for refusal, and a refusal can’t be fixed by reapplying.

Is the £20 UK ETA fee refunded if my application has errors?

No. The £20 fee is non-refundable, whether the application is approved, refused, or contains errors. If you’re refused, the route forward is a £135 Standard Visitor Visa, not another ETA.

Do I need to declare an old criminal conviction on my UK ETA application?

Answer the two questions exactly as asked: have you been convicted of a crime in the last 12 months, and have you ever had a prison sentence of more than 12 months. An older conviction that didn’t lead to a prison sentence of more than 12 months doesn’t fall under either. If you’re unsure whether your sentence counts, get advice before you submit, or apply for a Standard Visitor Visa instead.

What does a UK ETA photo need to look like?

Passport-style: plain light background, neutral expression, mouth closed, face fully visible, even lighting, looking directly at the camera, no glasses unless you have to wear them (never sunglasses or tinted lenses), no head coverings except for religious or medical reasons. The official UK ETA app guides you through capture and rejects bad photos before submission.

Can I get a UK ETA if I was refused a UK visitor visa before?

Usually not. The Immigration Rules say an ETA application must be refused if you’ve previously been refused a UK visitor visa or visitor entry, unless the Home Office has a record that you were later granted permission to come to the UK. If that applies to you, apply for a Standard Visitor Visa instead.

Does my UK ETA work after I renew my passport?

No. Your ETA is linked to one specific passport. When you renew, you must apply for a new ETA tied to your new passport before your next UK trip.

Can I correct an error after submitting my UK ETA application?

No. The Home Office’s caseworker guidance says requests to withdraw or amend a submitted ETA application are refused. If your application is rejected or you need to change your details, GOV.UK says to apply again with the correct details. A refusal is different: reapplying won’t fix it, and you’ll need a Standard Visitor Visa.

What happens if I use a nickname on my UK ETA application?

The application requires the exact name on your passport. Using “Bob” instead of “Robert” or “Mike” instead of “Michael” creates a mismatch with passport records that can trigger refusal. Copy your name exactly from your passport.

Can multiple family members apply for UK ETAs from the same device?

Yes, but complete one application fully (submit, pay, and confirm) before starting the next. Save each person’s reference number before moving on.

How do I avoid scam UK ETA application sites?

Only apply through GOV.UK, the official UK ETA app, or recognized services like iVisa. Watch for inflated prices (significantly above £20 with unclear breakdowns), unusual domain extensions, and missing contact/privacy information. Legitimate services are transparent about service fees vs the £20 government fee.

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Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. UK entry requirements can change — always verify with official sources at GOV.UK before traveling. Last updated: September 2026.

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