ETA for entering British territory

Hi there,

I’m planning to apply for my UK ETA soon and I’d like to know if I need to have a digital ID photo ready already or if the British government’s app takes a photo of us.

I read that the app will ask us to scan our face and take a photo, but on the official site, they just say to have a digital photo available.

So to avoid paying a photographer for nothing, has anyone already applied for their ETA using the app?

Thanks in advance

Hi, I just completed my ETA, and it's the UK government app that takes our photo.

Thanks so much, it’s really kind of you to reply :)

I just tried with the app and it gets stuck when you have to move the phone to scan the passport cover. It tells me I moved the passport or the phone, which is supposed to stay still, but I didn’t move anything. Did you make your request via the website or the app?

The app must be glitching because I tried again and it did scan my passport cover properly, but now it’s the photo capture that’s not working. I put my head in the white circle, and when I press the button at the bottom center of the screen—which I think is the photo button—it doesn’t take a picture but instead makes the app disappear... Did you have any issues when you applied?

All good, it worked!

Tips for forum folks: for the photo, you need to hold your phone as far away from your face as possible, and the app automatically detects when the photo is good and takes it by itself—no need to press anything.

Hi, I applied for my ETA a month ago, using the official Gov.uk app. Normally, the app takes your photo directly with the front camera—no need to go to a photographer. But honestly, in my case, it didn’t work great. It kept rejecting my photo (even with good lighting, a plain background, etc.). In the end, I gave up and used visaeta.com. They just ask for a standard digital photo (even one taken with your phone), and the rest is super easy. I got my ETA the same day without any hassle. So, to answer your question: yes, the app *can* take your photo, but it’s not great. Good luck with your application! !

hi, I also submitted my application and received a confirmation with just a number but no real "official document" to present... how does it work at the airport? because there’s nothing to show on the day! thanks a lot

You just need to show your passport. The ETA is digitally linked to your passport

thanksss

Hello!

I had exactly the same problem with the official app (passport scan glitching, photo not going through, etc.). In the end, I used https://visaeta.com/fr-fr/pages/eta-form and honestly, it saved my life—the form is in French, I was able to use a photo I already had on my phone, and I received my ETA the same day.

So yes, the app *can* work... but if it’s giving you too much trouble, this alternative saves a ton of time! 😊

Hello!

I had exactly the same problem with the official app (passport scan glitching, photo not going through, etc.). In the end, I used https://visaeta.com/fr-fr/pages/eta-form and honestly, it saved my life—the form is in French, I was able to use a photo I already had on my phone, and I received my ETA the same day.

So yes, the app *can* work... but if it’s giving you too much trouble, this alternative saves a ton of time!

Hi Louis, could you let me know the price of the ETA via visaeta.com? Thanks!

Hi Nanny13, I paid 29.89 € for the ETA via the site Visaeta.com