UK ETA App: How to Apply for a UK ETA on Your Phone (2026)

By Martin Cage, Senior UK ETA Specialist · Last updated: May 2026 · Sources: UK Home Office; UKVI, GOV.UK

1. What Is the UK ETA Apply App for Android?

The UK ETA Apply app is an Android application available on Google Play (package ID: uk.application_eta.app) that lets you complete and submit a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation application from your phone or tablet. It is operated by application-eta.uk, a private UK ETA assistance service — not affiliated with the UK Government or Home Office.

Applications submitted through the app connect to the same UK Home Office processing system used by all approved channels. The assistance layer means your form is reviewed for errors before submission, reducing the risk of delays caused by photo non-compliance or data mismatches.

2. Who Needs a UK ETA — and Does the App Change Anything?

A UK ETA is required for all nationals of visa-exempt countries travelling to or transiting through the United Kingdom — regardless of how you apply. The app is simply one way to submit your application. Using the app does not change eligibility, cost, validity, or the conditions of your ETA.

You need a UK ETA if you hold a passport from any of approximately 50 countries, including all EU and EEA member states (mandatory since April 2025), the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and all Gulf Cooperation Council states. Full list: UK ETA Eligible Countries 2026.

You do not need a UK ETA — and therefore do not need the app — if you are a British or Irish citizen, hold a valid UK visa, or have UK settled or pre-settled status.

3. What You Need Before You Start

Have the following ready before opening the app:

• Android phone or tablet running Android 8.0 or above
• Valid biometric passport from a UK ETA-eligible country — must be the passport you will use for travel
• Passport-style photo of yourself, taken within the last 6 months (see photo requirements below)
• Clear photo of your passport data page (the page with your photograph and personal details)
• Email address — the Home Office sends your approval here
• Credit or debit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
• Travel dates — approximate dates are acceptable; a confirmed booking is not required

4. How to Apply for a UK ETA on Android: Step-by-Step

Step 1 — Download the UK ETA Apply app

Open Google Play on your Android device and search for UK ETA Apply, or go directly to play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.application_eta.app. Tap Install. The app is free to download.

Step 2 — Enter your personal and passport details

Open the app and complete the personal information fields: full legal name (as in passport), date of birth, nationality, passport number, and passport expiry date. Double-check every field before continuing — errors at this stage are the second most common reason for processing delays.

Step 3 — Upload your passport photo and data page

Take or select a compliant passport-style photo of yourself and upload it. Then photograph your passport data page and upload that too. Both images must be sharp, well-lit, and free from glare.

Step 4 — Answer the suitability questions

The Home Office requires you to answer questions about: criminal convictions (in any country, including spent convictions depending on severity), previous immigration refusals or deportations, and certain medical conditions. Answer honestly — providing false information is a criminal offence under UK law, and undisclosed matters discovered at the border result in immediate entry refusal.

Step 5 — Choose your service tier and pay

Select your processing tier. All packages include the £20 UK government fee. Pay securely by credit or debit card. You will receive an order confirmation immediately.

Step 6 — Wait for your Home Office decision

The Home Office processes your application and sends an approval email to the address you provided. Most applications are approved within a few hours. The official maximum processing window is 3 working days. Check your spam/junk folder if no email arrives within 24 hours.

Step 7 — Travel with your passport — no printout needed

Your ETA is stored electronically and linked to your passport number. At check-in and at the UK border, it is retrieved automatically when your passport is scanned. You do not need to show any document or QR code. See also: Check Your UK ETA Status.

5. Photo Requirements for the UK ETA App

Photo non-compliance is the single most common reason for UK ETA delays and rejections. The UK Home Office applies strict standards. The app guides you through the requirements, but you must ensure your photo meets the specifications before uploading.

Practical tip: stand against a white wall in natural light (not direct sunlight), ask someone else to take the photo from head height approximately 1 metre away. Do not use the front-facing selfie camera at arm’s length — the angle creates distortion. Full guidance: UK ETA Photo Requirements 2026.

6. Processing Time and What Happens After You Apply

Once your application is submitted through the app, it enters the Home Office queue. Processing times:

You will receive one of three outcomes by email: Approved (valid for travel), Pending (still under review — do not travel), or Refused (see UK ETA Refused — What to Do).

Once approved, your ETA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval, or until your passport expires — whichever is sooner. It allows multiple entries; each individual stay may not exceed 6 months. Full detail: How Long Does the UK ETA Take? and UK ETA Fees & Processing Times 2026.

7. UK ETA App vs Website — Comparison

The key difference between using an assistance service (app or website) and applying directly through GOV.UK is the review layer: a human expert checks your photo, passport data, and form entries before submission, catching errors that would otherwise cause delays or refusals. The government fee is identical whichever channel you use.

8. Troubleshooting Common Problems

The app says my photo was rejected

Retake the photo in good natural light against a plain white wall. Ensure no shadows fall on your face. Ask someone else to take it from head height, about 1 metre away. Do not use a selfie angle. Remove glasses. Do not apply any filter. See the full specification: UK ETA Photo Requirements.

I entered the wrong passport number

Once submitted to the Home Office, a form cannot be edited. If you notice an error before submission, correct it immediately. If already submitted with an error, do not travel on that ETA — apply again with the correct details. Travelling on an ETA with a passport number mismatch will trigger a boarding denial.

I haven’t received my approval email

Check your spam and junk folders first. Search for any email from the Home Office or from application-eta.uk. If nothing has arrived after 72 hours, use the UK ETA Status Check tool or contact the support team via the app or website.

My ETA was refused

A refusal does not automatically mean a permanent ban. Common reasons include undisclosed criminal history, previous UK immigration violations, or data errors. See the full guide: UK ETA Refused — Reasons & What to Do.

I have a new passport since my ETA was approved

You must apply for a new ETA. The ETA is linked to a specific passport number — a new or renewed passport requires a new application, even if the old ETA has not expired. This is one of the most common reasons travellers are denied boarding. See: Check Your UK ETA Status.

I need my ETA urgently — same day

Select the Dedicated Agent tier when applying. This service provides a processing window of 1–6 hours with a manual expert review. Full detail: Fast UK ETA — Get Your ETA Quickly.

9. Frequently Asked Questions — UK ETA App for Android