The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is not a new rule for people traveling to the United Kingdom. Yet it still disrupts trips for visitors who make mistakes.
According to Home Office data through the end of March 2026, more than 30.5 million ETA applications have been made since the scheme began, including 6.4 million from U.S. nationals, 1.1 million from Canada and more than 853,000 from Australia.
More than 30.4 million ETAs have been issued since the launch, and about 124,000 applications have been refused or rejected, including about 33,000 applications from U.S. citizens.
Let's see the common reasons for refusal or rejection.
What To Know About ETA?
The ETA launched in October 2023, but was introduced in stages.
Non-European travelers, including U.S., Canadian, and Australian passport holders, became subject to this entry requirement on January 8, 2026.
The last phase started on February 25, 2026, when the U.K. moved to a stricter "no permission, no travel" approach.
The ETA is not a visa. It is a digital permission to travel. It currently costs £20 and allows multiple short visits over two years or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first.
However, it does not guarantee entry, but without it, airlines and other carriers can stop travelers before they board.
Leaving It To The Last Minute To Apply
"Most ETA applications get approved quickly, often within minutes. But some applications are flagged for additional review. When that happens, it can take up to three working days, or longer," says Victor Gimenez, director of customer experience at iVisa.com, in an official statement.
Applicants who applied at the last minute, but were caught in the latest system outage, learned this lesson the hard way.
On June 3, 2026, The Points Guy first reported that the U.K. ETA system was experiencing ongoing technical issues. Some applicants saw error messages on both the app and website, while others said their applications were stuck in processing. Some travelers were reportedly denied boarding because they did not yet have an approved ETA.
Two days later, AFAR reported that the system is back online.
While the incident did not affect travelers who already had approved ETAs, it exposed the risk of applying at the last minute.
Not Knowing About ETA
"We still see a lot of people who are genuinely surprised that the UK requires pre-travel authorization now," says Gimenez from iVisa.com.
"They're experienced travelers. They've been to the U.K. before. But the rules changed, and they were caught off guard. The ETA is straightforward. The problem is people finding out about it at the wrong moment," he adds.
Not Realizing The ETA Is Tied To A Specific Passport
An ETA is linked to the passport used in the application. If a traveler renews that passport, replaces it, or travels on a different one, the authorization may no longer match the document being checked.
Gherson LLP, a London-based immigration law firm, warns on its website that travelers must use the same passport they used for the ETA application, because the authorization is electronically tied to that document.
Mistake No. 4: Typos And Incorrect Details
A typo may look small to a traveler, but it can cause a much bigger problem. An incorrect passport number, a name that does not match the passport, or a transposed birth date can prevent the digital record from matching the physical document.
AssistEntry, a third-party application assistance provider, says in its U.K. ETA guide that "From our experience, the most common reason for an application getting rejected is a simple document error. A typo in a passport number or an old, non-compliant photo can cause an immediate denial. Our best advice? Double-check every single detail before you hit 'submit.' It's the easiest way to avoid frustrating delays."
Cromwell Wilkes, a U.K. immigration law firm, also warns on its website that not only incorrect personal details but also a problematic travel history, such as previous immigration issues, overstays, or prior visa refusals, may also lead to rejection.
Mistake No. 5: Every Traveler Needs An ETA
Every traveler needs their own ETA. That includes adults, children and babies.
"It's an easy thing to miss when you're coordinating travel for multiple people. One person handles the bookings and assumes everyone's covered. Or everyone assumes someone else sorted it. Either way, someone ends up at the airport without one," says Gimenez from iVisa.com.
Mistake No.6: Thinking You Can Get An ETA On Arrival
The ETA is a pre-travel authorization, not an arrival form. It can be sorted out after landing in the U.K.
Since February 25, 2026, the U.K. has enforced a stricter "no permission, no travel" approach, with airlines and other carriers checking that passengers have valid digital permission before they board.
This check happens before departure and the airport gate is certainly not the ideal place to discover this mistake.
AssistEntry, a third-party application assistance provider, says in its U.K. ETA guide that "One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking they can sort out their ETA upon arrival. You can't. It's a strict pre-travel requirement. Airlines are now required to check for a valid ETA, and they will turn you away at the gate if you don't have one."
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