How to Avoid UK ETA Scams
The UK government warns about unofficial websites charging excessive fees. Here's how to stay safe.
Since the UK ETA launched, dozens of copycat websites have appeared, designed to look official while charging 5-10x the real price. Some even use ".gov" in their domain names or copy GOV.UK branding.
The UK Home Office has explicitly warned travellers to only use official channels.
Real Price vs Scam Price
✓ Official GOV.UK
£16
✗ Scam websites
£50–150+
Red Flags to Watch For
🚩 Warning Signs
- Price over £16 – The official fee is exactly £16. Anything more is a markup.
- Fake domains – Watch for "uk-eta-gov.com", "etauk.org", "apply-eta.co.uk" and similar
- Copied GOV.UK design – Crown logos, green banners, government styling
- "Guaranteed approval" – No one can guarantee ETA approval
- Urgency tactics – "Apply now or miss your flight" pressure
- Asking for unnecessary documents – You only need passport + photo + payment
- Google Ads at the top – Scammers often pay for ads above official results
How to Apply Safely
✓ Safe Practices
- Only use gov.uk/eta or the official UK ETA app
- Download the app only from Apple App Store or Google Play Store
- Type the URL directly – don't click on ads
- Look for the padlock + "gov.uk" in the address bar
- The total cost should be exactly £16
Official Links Only
🔗 Legitimate Sources
GOV.UK – Apply for an ETA → GOV.UK – Check if you need an ETA → UK ETA App – Apple App Store → UK ETA App – Google Play Store →What If You Already Paid a Scam Site?
If you paid an unofficial website:
- Contact your bank immediately to dispute the charge
- Check if you actually received a valid ETA (verify at GOV.UK)
- Report the website to Action Fraud (UK) or your local consumer protection
- If they asked for unnecessary documents, monitor for identity theft
Remember: If it costs more than £16, it's not the official service.