The electronic authorization system to enter the United Kingdom (ETA) is expanding to more nationalities, and has already become the target of scams that affect those planning the trip.
Recent reports show that, when searching for terms such as “visa for London” or “ETA UK”, people arrive at websites that imitate official British government pages. In some cases, the user pays up to five times the official amount, or you do not even receive a valid authorization after providing data such as passport and card numbers.
European cybersecurity authorities, such as Safeonweb, from Belgium, are already warning about the pattern. “Criminals create official-looking websites to deceive travelers and charge inflated fees or steal personal data,” says the agency.
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What is ETA and who needs to take it
The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is an electronic authorization required by travelers entering the country without a prior visa.
Basically, it is a digital permit linked to the passport, which needs to be approved before boarding. Without this authorization, the airline may prevent boarding in the country of origin.
It is important not to confuse: the ETA it is not a visa and does not guarantee entry to the UK. The final decision remains with immigration upon arrival, and the traveler can go through the usual questions.
The British government has been gradually expanding the use of ETA. Currently, citizens of more than 80 countries who previously traveled without the need for prior authorization (including Brazilians) need to present it at the time of boarding.
How much does it cost, how long does it cost and what does it allow
The ETA has an official cost of £20 (or R$135, at current rates) and can be used for up to 2 years, or until the expiration date of the passport linked to the authorization.
During this period, travelers can enter the United Kingdom more than once, with a stay of up to 6 months per visit, according to . The British government recommends making the request in advance, as the analysis can take around three working days, although many responses come out before that.
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H2 — How to safely take ETA
The ETA request must be made directly through official British government channels, such as the GOV.UK website or the “UK ETA” application.
The process is individual and takes just a few minutes. To complete the request, the traveler must have:
- valid passport (the same as the one used for the trip);
- email to receive confirmation;
- international payment method;
- recent photo.
During the application, you must also answer basic questions about personal history, and the British government reviews the information before approving the authorization. The application may be denied in some cases, usually when there is inconsistent or incorrect information or previous problems with immigration (such as deportation) or relevant criminal history.
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ETA practically works like pre-travel screening. When there is an impediment, the traveler needs to apply for a standard visa, and this involves a more detailed process.
A point of attention: There is no “express” version or guaranteed approval outside of official channels. Promises of this type often appear on intermediary websites and are one of the most common signs of a scam.
The main risk of ETA scams today is in internet searches.
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According to Safeonweb, criminal websites tend to be among the first search results, often as paid advertisements, and use terms such as “UK visa” or “ETA application” to attract those looking for information.
Reports from digital security companies, such as Malwarebytes, indicate that some of these services even intermediate the actual request, but charge amounts much higher than the official amount. In other cases, the user pays and does not receive a valid authorization.
Some signs help identify pages that are not part of official channels:
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- address that does not end in “gov.uk”;
- charge over £20;
- promise of urgency or guaranteed approval;
- lack of clarity about who provides the service.
GOV.UK warns that other sites may charge more for the service and recommends only using official channels to avoid additional costs and fraud risks.
