Denied or Expired ETA
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If your UK ETA application was not approved or your ETA has expired, this guide explains the difference between a rejected and a refused application and what to do next.
Denied: rejected or refused?
When a UK ETA application is not approved, the decision takes one of two forms, and they lead to very different next steps.
- Rejected: something in the application needs correcting, most often the photo or a supporting document. The flagged items can be fixed and the same application is appealed at no additional cost.
- Refused: the decision is final. A new ETA application cannot be filed for the same traveller, and a standard UK visa may be needed instead.
If your application is rejected
A rejection means the application could not be approved as submitted because something in it needs attention. Common reasons include:
- A photo that does not meet UKVI biometric standards
- Information that does not match your passport exactly
- Incomplete or inconsistent answers to eligibility questions
- Applying with a passport that is expired or about to expire
When an application is rejected, the items that need correcting are identified for you. After the corrections are submitted, the application is appealed at no additional fee and processed again by UK Visas and Immigration.
Review the photo requirements and passport requirements before submitting your corrections.
How corrections work
Review
The decision and the application are reviewed to identify exactly what was flagged.
Correct
Details, documents, and the photo are corrected so the application is accurate and complete.
Appeal
The corrected application is appealed to UK Visas and Immigration at no additional cost, with support provided until the decision is issued.
If your application is refused
A refusal is a final decision by UK Visas and Immigration, most often related to suitability, such as undisclosed history. A new ETA application cannot be filed for the same traveller. Depending on your circumstances and travel plans, a standard UK visa may be an alternative route.
Applicants with a refusal or a criminal record may wish to obtain advice from a licensed immigration adviser. We do not provide legal advice; our support team can help you understand the decision notice.
If your ETA has expired
An expired ETA simply means a new application is needed; it has no bearing on your record. See After Your ETA Is Approved for when to apply again.
How decisions are issued
Every decision arrives by email, and the live status of each application is shown on your account dashboard from submission through to the final outcome. A rejection notice identifies the specific items that prevented approval, most commonly the photo or a supporting document, so you know exactly what to correct before the application is appealed.
Decisions are made by UK Visas and Immigration on the information in the application. Our team reviews every application before filing to reduce the risk of a correctable error reaching UKVI in the first place.
Common questions after a decision
How long do corrections take? Once you submit your corrections, the application is appealed and processed again on the same timescale as a new application: usually within a day, and UKVI advises allowing up to 3 working days.
Does a rejection affect future travel? No. A rejection is an administrative outcome, not a finding against you. Once the corrected application is approved, the ETA carries exactly the same validity and conditions as any other.
What if my ETA expires before a planned trip? Apply again before you travel. The new application follows the standard process, and your previous approval has no bearing on it. See After Your ETA Is Approved for how validity is calculated.
Applying again after expiry?
We prepare and review your new application for completeness before it is filed.