Holidaymakers Warned of Over 24-Hour Delays When Entering UK
Travelers are reporting waiting more than 24 hours for UK electronic travel authorisations (ETAs), raising concerns ahead of the summer travel season. Many have taken to social media to share their experiences, with some claiming they have missed flights while waiting for approval.
The reports come as users describe difficulties accessing the UK ETA app, which has reportedly displayed messages stating that the system is busy and advising applicants to try again later. While the UK government notes that ETA applications can take up to three working days to process, many travelers say they have grown accustomed to receiving approvals within minutes or hours.
The discrepancy between official processing times and traveler expectations appears to be fueling anxiety, particularly among those with imminent departures. Vykintas Maknickas, CEO of travel eSIM app Saily, states: "Many travelers have come to view ETA approvals as nearly instant because that has often been their experience in practice. When approvals suddenly take significantly longer, even if still technically within the official processing window, it can create uncertainty for people who have flights scheduled within the next day or two."
Online discussions show growing frustration among travelers who submitted applications more than 24 hours ago and are still awaiting decisions. Some users report repeatedly checking the ETA app and status pages without receiving updates on their applications. The issue comes at a particularly sensitive time as international travel volumes continue to rise ahead of the busy summer season.
For many travelers, obtaining an ETA has become one of several last-minute digital travel requirements, alongside online check-in procedures, travel insurance documentation, and mobile connectivity arrangements. Travel experts say the situation highlights a common mistake among travelers: treating digital travel authorizations as same-day formalities.
"Whether it's an ETA, visa waiver, or other travel authorization, travelers often rely on best-case scenarios instead of official guidance. If authorities say a document can take up to three days to process, it's wise to assume it may take that long, even if approvals are usually much faster," Maknickas adds. According to Saily, travelers should apply for ETAs as soon as travel plans are confirmed, rather than waiting until the day before departure.
