Travellers heading to the United Kingdom in the coming days should confirm their Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been approved before leaving for the airport, following reports of technical issues affecting the system.
As of 4 June, the UK’s ETA platform has been experiencing severe server congestion, with applicants encountering a ‘currently busy’ message and queue wait times exceeding one hour. Some applications have become stuck in processing – in several documented cases resulting in passengers being denied boarding on flights, trains and ferries bound for the UK.
The UK Home Office has confirmed it is aware of the delays and that technical teams are working to resolve the issue.
What is the UK ETA?
The ETA is a mandatory digital travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors to the United Kingdom, including citizens of Australia, the United States, Canada and most European nations. Linked electronically to a traveller’s passport, it must be secured before boarding any transport to the UK.
The authorisation costs £20 (approximately AU$38), is valid for two years and permits multiple stays of up to six months. While approvals are typically processed within minutes, the UK government recommends applying at least three days before departure.
Advice for travel agents
Agents with clients travelling to the UK should take the following steps now:
- Verify ETA status for all upcoming bookings before clients depart
- Advise clients to apply immediately if they have not yet done so – do not wait until departure day
- Monitor pending applications closely, as processing times may be significantly extended while congestion continues
- Remind clients that carriers are required to verify ETA approval at boarding – travellers without an approved authorisation will not be permitted to travel.
