UK ETA platform overwhelmed just hours after launch

The UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) platform is already facing massive demand from Europeans, with digital queues forming even before its official rollout.

Since 5 March 2025, European nationals have been able to apply for an ETA for travel after 2 April 2025. The early opening is designed to prevent last-minute rushes and allow for smoother processing.

The UK Home Office expects over 30 million travelers to use the ETA system each year. That staggering number suggests significant digital wait times, especially in the early months.

It can take over 10 minutes to access the official form. You’ll then have 25 minutes to complete the application—or the form will expire.

To cope with demand, the UK government has launched a mobile app, "UK ETA" (Google Android or iOS), alongside a dedicated web portal. Both platforms are intended to process requests quickly, offering automated responses within minutes for many cases.

However, standard processing time is listed as 3 working days. Travelers are urged to apply well in advance to avoid delays to their travel plans.

Important: the system does not save data if a session is interrupted. Applicants must be ready to complete their application in one sitting to avoid losing their place in the digital queue.

Although designed to streamline UK entry, the first months will likely feature longer wait times—especially at airports tasked with verifying travelers’ ETA status.