FAQ

Is UK Visa Online affiliated with the UK Government?

No. UK Visa Online is a private service operated by EAS International, based in Switzerland. We are not appointed by the UK Government and have no connection to GOV.UK, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) or the Home Office. The official authority for any application is GOV.UK; our role is purely supportive.

How much does the service cost in total?

Our service fee is 39 EUR for a single UK ETA and 129 EUR for a family package of up to 5 people. On top of this comes the official Home Office fee of £20 per person. For the Standard Visitor Visa our service fee is 149 EUR; the official fee starts at £135. All amounts are shown transparently and separately before payment.

Do Swiss citizens really need an ETA now?

Yes. Since 25 February 2026, Swiss nationals need a valid UK ETA for every entry. Exceptions apply to holders of an existing UK visa or residence permit, and to dual Swiss–British nationals travelling on a British passport.

Why not apply directly on GOV.UK?

You can and you may. Our service is useful if you want multilingual, clear guidance, automatic checks on photo quality and entries before submission, or if you want to delegate handling for several travellers (e.g. a family).

How long does processing take?

The Home Office decides most ETA applications within minutes, officially up to 3 working days. For the Standard Visitor Visa, expect around 3 weeks standard, shorter with priority options. Our own processing before submission — thanks to passport scan and auto-fill — happens immediately after we receive your order — no waiting.

What happens if my application is refused?

The decision is made exclusively by the UK authority. We cannot influence a refusal. If the authority requests additional information we continue to support you. No refund of our service fee is due for a duly rendered service; the official government fee is handled by the Home Office.

What happens to my personal data?

Your data is processed only for the performance of the contract. Passport copies and biometric photos are automatically deleted 90 days after submission. Transmission to the UK Home Office takes place through a channel covered by adequacy decisions (CH and EU). Details are in our privacy policy.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes, within 14 days under our voluntary withdrawal notice. After explicit consent to immediate commencement and full performance of the service, the right of withdrawal expires. Official fees already paid to the UK authority cannot be refunded.

Who can use your service?

Anyone eligible to apply for a UK ETA or Standard Visitor Visa — regardless of residence. Our communication is available in German, English, French and Dutch.

Do you give legal or immigration advice?

No. We do not and may not provide individual immigration advice. For refusal reasons, criminal disclosures or visa strategy we recommend an immigration adviser or lawyer regulated by the UK Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).

Do I need an account to apply?

No. You can apply directly — a passwordless account is created automatically with your email address. With the confirmation mail you also get a login code so you can sign in any time later to check status or renew.

How does passwordless login work?

You enter your email on /account/login, get a 6-digit code by mail (valid 10 min), enter it — done. Session lasts 7 days. Safer than a password because there's nothing to steal.

How do I renew an ETA?

In your member area (/account) you see a "Renew →" button on every approved application. One click opens the application form pre-filled with all your previous data — only passport photo, selfie and signature need to be current. We also remind you automatically 90, 30 and 7 days before expiry by email.

Can I apply on behalf of my family?

Yes. In the "Family" area you create profiles for spouse, children, parents. Their ETA applications are then pre-filled with all the saved data (name, date of birth, passport) — saves you the typing every time.

What happens to my data if I delete my account?

Your login is disabled immediately and all sessions revoked. The application data itself is retained for the legally mandated 10-year period (Swiss CO 958f) — but it's anonymised and no longer reachable via any login. Before deletion you can download all your data as a JSON file.

For travellers new to the UK ETA

Do I even need an ETA?

Probably yes — since 2025 the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is mandatory for most visa-free travellers to the United Kingdom, including citizens of Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands, and ~80 other countries. A full list of ETA-eligible countries is on our homepage. If your passport is from one of these countries and you're travelling to the UK for tourism, business, visiting family, or short study (up to 6 months), you need an ETA.

Is my passport enough?

Your passport must be valid on the day you enter the UK — no special minimum remaining validity required. We check the data automatically during the application and warn if something is off.

How long is an ETA valid?

2 years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. During that time you can enter as often as you like, up to 6 months per stay. A new passport means a new ETA.

What does it cost?

Currently £20.00 GBP government fee (UK Home Office), non-refundable. Plus our service fee of €39.00 EUR for the full assistance — see Pricing.

What happens if my application is refused?

The ETA refusal rate is very low (< 1 % for visa-free nationalities with no criminal record). If it does happen, the UK Home Office tells us the reason. We forward it to you and advise on your options (e.g. Standard Visitor Visa as an alternative). The government fee is non-refundable — we refund our service fee only if you booked the optional "Buyer's Protection".

How early should I apply?

Technically minutes before your flight is enough for an ETA — but we recommend at least 3 working days buffer for rare cases where the UK system requires manual review. For a Standard Visitor Visa, allow 3 weeks.

What about children?

Children also need their own ETA, regardless of age. In your member area you simply create a family-member profile for each child and submit the application.

I don't understand the online form — what now?

Write to us. We usually reply within a few hours in German, English, French, or Dutch. If you're unsure whether you even need an ETA, we'll check it for you free of charge.