Refusal
UK ETA refused: reasons and the difference between “rejected” and “refused”
· GOV.UK, Home Office
Most applications are approved quickly. If not, it matters whether the application was “rejected” or “refused”. The two are not the same.
Rejected or refused – the difference
According to the Home Office factsheet, if your application is rejected you are told the reason and can apply again. If an application is refused, there is no right of appeal; if you still want to travel, you must apply for a visa. A refused ETA does not mean you are turned away at the border – it means the ETA was not granted and you need a visa for the journey.
According to gov.uk, the official fee of £20 is not refunded once you have applied; if your application is rejected or something needs to change, you apply again. With our application assistance, our own commitment also applies: If you cancel before we have submitted your application to the Home Office, we refund the full total price. If the Home Office finally refuses your application, we refund the full total price – including the official fee. If your application is rejected as invalid because of a checking error on our side, we resubmit it free of charge (we pay the new official fee) or, if you prefer, refund the service fee; your request must reach us within 14 days of the rejection as invalid. Conditions: for a refund after refusal, provide proof (e.g. the Home Office refusal notice) and submit your request within 30 days of receiving the refusal. We refund to the original payment method within 14 days of receiving the proof. No refund if the refusal or rejection as invalid is based on false or incomplete information provided by you, in cases of misuse of documents, or if you did not answer a follow-up question from us despite a reminder and the decision is based on this.
Typical reasons according to the Immigration Rules
The Immigration Rules (Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation) list grounds on which an ETA must be refused. These include:
- criminal convictions: a conviction with a custodial or suspended sentence of at least 12 months, or any conviction within the last 12 months
- an exclusion order or deportation order
- previous breaches of immigration law, such as overstaying, breaching conditions or deception
- false information or concealed facts in the application – even if unintentional
- unpaid litigation costs owed to the Home Office
- a previous refusal as a visitor or the cancellation of an ETA (with exceptions)
- presence not conducive to the public good because of conduct, character or associations
A formal error can also lead to a rejection, for example a facial photo that does not meet the rules for digital photos. So check your details before submitting – and always answer the questions on criminal convictions truthfully.
What you can do now
- Rejected: read the reason, correct your details or photo, apply again (new fee).
- Refused: there is no appeal. If you want to travel, you can apply for a visitor visa, where you can explain your background and provide evidence. If in doubt, seek advice from a qualified immigration lawyer.
- Beware of panic offers: anyone who promises to “reverse” a refusal cannot do so. We do not do this either and do not give legal advice.
More on the process: How to apply for a UK ETA. Note: this guide does not replace legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
- What does “rejected” mean for the UK ETA?
- The application could not be processed or contained errors. You are told the reason and can apply again.
- What does “refused” mean?
- The ETA was not granted. There is no appeal; if you want to travel, you must apply for a visa.
- Can I get the official fee back?
- Not from the Home Office, according to gov.uk. If you use our application assistance and your ETA is refused, we refund the full total price including the official fee (Terms, section 7).
Sources and date
Checked on 4 October 2026. Rules and fees may change; the current publication on gov.uk is authoritative. This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice.
Next steps
Prepare your application, compare prices or keep reading – in every case the Home Office makes the decision.