ETA form guide for Israelis who want to visit the UK

The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) system in the UK has begun to operate and every Israeli citizen who does not hold British or Irish citizenship must fill out an entry application before arriving in the country. The ETA is an online authorization for citizens from visa-exempt countries who wish to travel to the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) for short-term visits (tourism, business or short-term studies).

Similar to submitting the ESTA application for the United States, submitting an application for the British ETA is a relatively simple process that can be done completely online and takes about ten minutes – if you prepare everything in advance. Therefore, if you follow the detailed guide you will be well prepared to complete the application with ease and ensure a smooth travel experience to the UK. Also, be sure to always check the official website for updates or changes to the application process.

What do you need to know before submitting an ETA?

1. All passengers, regardless of age, are required to apply for an ETA before traveling to the UK. This includes babies and children.

2. The application can be filled out in two ways: one in the application and the other online. Those submitting through the IOS system can click here to download the app, and those submitting through the Android system can click here. Submitters on the website can go to the link: ETA application submission site.

3. Submitting the application takes a few minutes andAn answer should be received within 72 hours. However, the application itself should be filled out at least a week in advance and not wait until the last minute so that you can make the necessary changes before the flight.

4. ETA approval is not required for connecting flights.

5. The application must be completed once – it cannot be saved.

6. After 20 minutes of inactivity the open request will end. That is, the answers will be deleted and you will have to start over.

7. how much does it cost Israelis are required to pay for the application in US dollars. The amount is about 20 dollars – about 60 shekels (as of this writing). The UK authorities indicate that the amount is expected to increase further.

8. After approval, The application will be valid for two years from the moment of receiving it.

• A visa-exempt citizen traveling to the UK for tourism, business or short-term studies.
• A foreign citizen who is not from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, but holds a visa-exempt passport.

Citizens from the following regions or countries will not need a UK ETA:

• Citizens of Ireland.
• Citizens with a valid UK visa.
• UK citizens, including dual nationals or UK resident status.

What is needed to submit an ETA request?

To apply for a UK ETA, you need to collect the following documents and information:

• Valid passport: Make sure your passport is valid for at least 3 months. To submit the application you will need your passport number and country of issue.

• Travel details: Dates of arrival are intended for the United Kingdom, the date of departure from the country, the purpose of the visit (tourism, business or short-term studies), and details of the accommodation (hotel address or where you will be staying).
• Personal information: full name, date of birth, nationality and other details exactly as they appear in the passport.
• Email address: The email address you provide will be the address your ETA confirmation will be sent to.
• Payment details: The ETA application fee must be paid by credit card.

Once you have all of these, you can access to the application submission site. The application has several steps in which you will be required to specify personal information, confirm details and pay. Pay attention! The entire form is in English, so you must fill out the application accurately and make sure you understand all the parts.

After reading, press a button Continue and start submitting the application.

Step by step: submitting the application

1. Verification code

   After you enter the application submission system, you will be required to provide Email address to which the confirmation will be sent. After you click the continue button, it will be sent to you Verification code with numbers that you will have to type.

2. Passport photo

   In the next step, the system will lead you to a comprehensive explanation about uploading the passport photo. The image must show the personal details page, including all four corners, your personal details, your photo and the machine readable zone (MRZ), which consists of 2 or 3 lines of letters, symbols and numbers at the bottom of the personal details page. The photo or scan must be clear, in focus and without reflections. On the next page you can check if your photo meets the requirement: the photo must be unedited by effects or filters, original, a photo of a physical passport (not digital), in color, a horizontal photo (landscape), in jpg or jpeg file format, weighing 50KB to 10MB), with a minimum dimension of 600X750 pixels.

3. Personal details

   In this section you will have to accurately fill in your personal information, including your name, date of birth and passport details. Pay attention! Be sure to check for errors or incorrect data as this can lead to the application being delayed or rejected. The details you write must exactly match the details on the passport.

4. A picture of the face

   To prove you’re real, you’ll need to scan your face using a camera, and the cell phone camera can also do the job. Pay attention! The photo must be no more than 3 months old and be different from your passport photo. Make sure your image meets the requirements to avoid problems later.

5. Additional personal information and contact information

   In this section you will be asked to provide additional personal details including your full name, phone number and address, plus your nationality and employment status.

6. security information

   To complete the application you will be required to answer a series of security questions, including details of any criminal record. Be honest and detailed in your answers to avoid complications or rejection of the application.

7. Check your answers

   You will now be presented with all the information you provided in the application. Do not underestimate this step, and be sure to check the details thoroughly to maximize your chances of approval. Even one wrong letter or number can result in the application being rejected.

8. Confirm the details

   In this part, the system will ask you to confirm that all the information you provided is real and correct. Pay attention! If you provide false information, your application may be refused, and you may face prosecution on arrival in the country or even be banned from the UK altogether.

9. Payment of the application fee

   Payment must be made online. Applicants must provide credit card information, including card number, expiration date, cardholder name and CVV code (3-4 digit code on the back of the card) to complete the payment process. As mentioned, the application fee is NIS 47 per person, regardless of age.

10. Sending the request

    After filling in all the details and uploading the documents, it’s time to submit the application. After you send it, you will receive an email with confirmation of your request details. Save the details so you can follow up on the request if necessary.

The waiting time for approval

The UK authorities aim to process most ETA applications within 3 working days. The answer may be received within a few hours, but some approvals may take longer if additional checks are needed. You can log into your account at any time to check the status of your application. In any case, take into account the fact that it is three working days, and consider Sunday as a Sabbath day in the UK.

Obtaining the ETA approval

After the email confirming the request is sent to you, theYour ETA will be digitally linked to your passport. However, you must keep the confirmation you received by email, and it is also recommended to print it and carry it with you in case you are required to present it.

What happens if the application is rejected?

If your application is rejected, you will usually be given the opportunity to appeal the decision. If you suspect that the rejection is due to incorrect information or a mistake, it is recommended to re-apply.