Can I get my money back if I've paid for an ETA through an unofficial website?
The UK government in March launched a
website
and app for people applying for an ETA visa waiver, which will be required for all travellers entering the UK with an EU, Swiss and Norwegian passport from April 2nd.
Unfortunately, the launch has been accompanied by a plague of unofficial but professional-looking sites offering to manage the process, which many applicants mistake for the official site.
The fact they appear on Google searches above the official government website it's understandable many fall prey to these sites and end up paying 7 or 8 times the real cost.
Some sites even copy the icon of a crown to imitate the government website and include the word "Official" in the title.
One reader of The Local said: "We just filed for an ETA through UK ETA which cost 79 pounds. We were issued an ETA number. Have we been scammed? The logo is the crown but without the colours."
An unofficial ETA site looking very official in a Google search.
The big clue though is in the disclaimer at the bottom of the homepage. It reads: "Disclaimer: UK ETA Ltd and www.ieta.co.uk are visa services agency. Our service fees are higher than the government fee. Our fees are nonrefundable once the process starts. Service fees are additional and separate to any government fee."
The UK Home Office, which manages the official site, told The Local that it was taking action to make sure its site appeared as high as possible in search results.
"The official GOV.UK website is promoted and prioritised on search engines," it wrote. "Where GOV.UK is placed in the ordering of someone's search results depends on their search history and behaviour."
It advised anyone applying for an ETA to use the official site.
'Applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is quick, simple and cheap, especially through the UK ETA app," it wrote. 'Anyone who wants information about applying for an ETA should visit the official GOV.UK website.'
Advertisement
READ ALSO:
How to avoid being scammed when getting ETA visa waiver for the UK
The UK government declined to comment on the unofficial sites, however, or say whether it had reported any of them or tried to have them taken down.
Nor did it confirm whether the ETAs obtained via other sites are all genuine or whether travellers should apply again through the government site, as many have been asking.
What can you do if you overpay at an unofficial site?
The problem you have if you have already paid is that most, if not all, of the unofficial sites are not doing anything illegal, so long as they do, in fact, arrange an ETA for you.
"Unfortunately, it is not illegal for companies to demand a higher payment for a service than other providers that are cheaper or even free," wrote Amelie Thelander, a legal advisor for
Konsument Europa
, the Swedish branch of the European Consumer Centres network.
If the site is deliberately misleading and fails to inform customers that it is not an official site, if it does not provide clear information on how much consumers will be charged, or if it does not in fact deliver an ETA, this might be cause for complaint, however.
"If the consumer considers that the price has not been clearly presented, they should take contact with the company directly to complain," she wrote. "We recommend that this is always done in writing."
If that does not bring results, then you can ask your local European Consumer Centre organisation to mediate.
You can find contact details here
.
Advertisement
Can you get the site to refund you?
Most of the unofficial sites have contact forms. One site named UKETA, which is run by Dubai-based Yoyo Travels, has an automated Whatsapp chatbot, and the ETA.uk, which does not have any information on who is behind it, has a contact form and a
complaints email
.
The problem is that the UK government only takes a matter of minutes to approve and issue ETAs, meaning the service is likely to have been delivered before you have a chance to ask for a refund.
"If your ETA has already been processed and paid for, we do not grant or issue any refunds," a representative of the ETA-uk site told The Local, when it contacted the site asking about refund possibilities.
Advertisement
Can you get your bank or credit card company to block payment?
If you have paid by credit card, you may be able to block the payment.
Mia Bernadette, who lives in Luxembourg, realised almost immediately that she had made a mistake when buying an ETA for her Swedish fiancé.
"I was thinking when I went to pay they didn't have the cost available - it didn't say, 'payment: 1,000 kronor'," she told The Local. "I thought it was strange that they weren't disclosing [the price] but thought it must be because it's a government site and they think people should know."
There was no receipt when she paid either, but she got a notification from American Express telling her that 1,000 kronor (€91) had been taken from her credit card.
"I called my credit card company who told me I had to wait for the transaction to go through and then I emailed them three times saying it was fraudulent and they weren't transparent on the cost and that their website name is confusing and that it's criminal to charge ten times the price, so they cancelled it."
She said she felt lucky she'd been able to block the payment while it was still pending, and it's far from certain that all credit card companies would do the same.
Share your own experiences of getting an ETA below. Were you able to get your money back after getting one through an unofficial site?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Local Norway
an hour ago
- Local Norway
When and where will there be the most tourists in Norway this summer?
When are Norway's summer holidays? Employees in Norway are entitled to three consecutive weeks of holiday during the period from June 1st to September 30th. It is most common to take off the last three weeks of July, which are known as the fellesferie, or "collective holiday". If you have not yet booked your holidays, be warned that ticket prices for flights during this specific period have already reached exorbitant levels. A majority of Norwegians will be traveling abroad, but rest assured that a big part of their holiday will be also spent in the country. Why are Norwegians holidaying at home? As people in Norway often like to say, 'why leave Norway when the weather is finally good for once?' Fully 69 percent of Norwegians told a survey from Norwegian Hospitality Association (NHO Reiseliv) that they will take a holiday in Norway, up from 63 percent in 2024. That compares to the 80 percent of Norwegians plan to take a summer break. Some 25 percent of respondents said that they had opted for a holiday in Norway because travelling abroad had become too expensive. Only 39 percent plan to take a holiday in another European country, down from 46 percent last year. Advertisement What parts of Norway are most popular with Norwegians? Vestland (20 percent) and Innlandet (19 percent) stand out as the most popular areas for Norwegians to spend a 'staycation', with many Norwegians swapping the big cities to visit their summer cabins or those of friends and family. There has also been a slight increase in the number of people planning outdoor activities this summer, with a growing trend among young Norwegians to go on van or camper holidays across the country or else hiking and camping tours. What parts of Norway are most popular with foreign tourists? International tourists will flock to other areas, with the most crowded area likely to again be the Lofoten archipelago in the north of the country. The island region has been battling with 'overtourism' due to the growing international popularity of its stunning beaches and mountains. Norwegian landmarks such as Pulpit Rock ( Preikestolen), near Stavanger , or the Troll Tongue ( Trolltunga ) near Bergen both draw tourists in enormous numbers during the summer. The awe-inspiring mountain pass Trollstigen, in the Romsdalen valley, with its eleven hairpin bends, is also a top draw, although it is currently closed, openly only in mid-July. Cruise ships can also dump vast numbers of tourists on towns on the coast and in the fjords. Advertisement The busiest roads to avoid The busiest roads in the summer are often in northern Norway, with Lofoten a particular bottle neck. Kystriksveien (f 17) between Steinkjer and Bodø tends to get heavy campervan traffic, with bottlenecks at the ferry crossings. In Vestlandet, road 13 between Bu and Kyrkjenes also tends to be congested. There also tends to be heavy traffic in and out of Oslo at the beginning and end of the summer. The E18 between Oslo, Drammen and Porsgrunn is always busy at these times. The E6, both north from Oslo to Lillehammer and Dovre, and south towards the Swedish boarder at Svinesund is often congested. Other busy stretches include the E18 between Vinterbro and Ørje, the E16 between Sandvika, Sollihøgda and Hønefoss, and the E16 between Kløfta, Kongsvinger and Skotterud. This summer, the Norwegian National Road Policing Service (Utrykningspolitiet) will prioritize speed controls on several key roads to reduce serious traffic accidents.
Local Norway
3 hours ago
- Local Norway
What is a 'hytte' and how does it differ from a holiday home?
The term hytte comes from the German word hütte , meaning "a simple wooden house", making it a fitting description for the tiny cabins Norwegians have traditionally built near the sea or in the mountain areas. The first hytter began appearing in the early 20th century. They offered only basic amenities: a fireplace, but no electricity or running water, and were intended as simple starting points for outdoor adventures like skiing and hiking. These cabins reflect Norwegians' deep love for nature and outdoor life. Today, there are nearly 450,000 hytter in Norway—roughly one for every ten people. On average, each is used about 50 days per year, primarily on weekends and during holidays. While both a hytte and a holiday home serve as escapes from everyday life, they differ significantly in culture and function. Hytter are often passed down through generations and typically undergo little modernization. Advertisement Originally, hytter had no running water or electricity. Some older cabins now feature solar panels for electricity and portable toilets, but their interiors often remain simple. A common decorative feature is the klokkestreng —an elongated wool tapestry with traditional Norwegian motifs. Moreover, hytter are often located away from populated areas, which means owners arrive with enough food and supplies to last the entire stay. Modern hytter can be quite flashy, architect-designed buildings. Photo: T Kleiven/Visit Norway However, more modern hytter built over the last years sometimes resemble two-story villas, complete with flat-screen TVs, jacuzzis, and fully equipped bathrooms. These are often large enough to host extended families, especially for holidays like Christmas or New Year's. The cost of building or buying a new hytte has become prohibitively high. As a result, many young couples looking for a retreat in nature are starting to co-own these cabins with other families or couples, rotating usage time among themselves. Even if you do not own a hytte there are different ways you can access them and experience life in touch with nature. Some hytte owners rent their cabins on the website for when they do not plan to access them. The Norwegian Trekking Association (Den Norske Turistforening) manages 600 hytter across the country, making them accessible to anyone for affordable prices. If you're fortunate, your employer might have a company hytte which is available for employees to book for weekend getaways or vacations.
Local Norway
21 hours ago
- Local Norway
Six life hacks to make you feel like an Oslo local
For some foreigners, Oslo feels like a village, for others it's a big city. Either way, most newcomers agree that living in Oslo is quite expensive and at times isolating. From finding cheap drinks to joining local communities, these tips will ensure you learn to live like a local. Where to find a cheap drink If you enjoy a good pint, knowing where to find the cheapest drinks in Oslo can significantly cut down your expenses. It's not much of a secret that the Mexican food chain Los Tacos draws in the crowds with cut-price beers, but if you are looking for somewhere less crowded there are some decent alternatives. Fortunately, there's a regularly updated website, Pilsguiden, which lists the cheapest draft beers on offer in Oslo's cafes and bars. It's a handy guide, allowing you to find best deals in each neighborhood so that you can plot your pub crawl in advance. Advertisement Get a library card If you're looking for a refuge or a place to spend a rainy day, few places beat Deichman, the five-floor public library in the city center. It offers free resources and activities for all ages, offered in a relaxing atmosphere. You do not need even need to get a library card to participate in the regular film screenings, embroidery workshops, to use its sewing machines, or to use its music studio to record podcasts or songs. If you do get a library card, though, you gain access to an impressive selection of books in almost every imaginable language and you can also book meeting rooms or your own studio room to work in for the day. The books on offer include language courses, travel guides and cookbooks so you can plan your next trip, put together a meal or improve your Norwegian skills. With libraries located in each neighborhood, you can also use your card closer to your home. The library in the city centre has a cinema room that you can book for free and a floor dedicated entirely to children. The Deichman library in Grünerløkka - sadly closed for renovation until July 2025 - has a tool library, renting out construction tools like skewers and drills free of charge. The libraries also organize cultural events, including author talks, Norwegian speaking round tables and film screenings, to keep you engaged and entertained. Advertisement How to escape the home office Working from within one of Oslo's libraries is easy as there is no shortage of seating But if you want to try other spots with a community offering then it is worth checking out MESH ' 's two locations, where you can also connect with local freelancers, entrepreneurs and startuppers, as well as joining their events. Sentralen 's third floor, called Gullhallen (the yellow hall), is available to anyone who wants to work or study. Trekanten and Kulturhuset are also great options for freelancers and digital nomads. Advertisement Day trip like a local You don't need to travel far from Oslo to experience breathtaking scenery and charming towns. The nearby cities and islands offer perfect getaways, allowing you to escape the city for the day without breaking the bank. Drøbak, with its picturesque streets and the famous Christmas House, is just a few hours away by ferry. You can also spend the day hopping on and off the islands in the Oslo archipelago, with the closest of them, Hovedøya, just seven minutes away on the ferry. The islands are perfect places to have a walk, picnic or swim. A lovely thing to do in summer is to go for lunch in the sun at Gressholmen Kro on Gressholmen island or at the Klosterkroa Café on Hovedøya. Whether you're interested in hiking, sightseeing, or simply unwinding by the forest, the Marka forest is just a bus or tram ride away from the city. Advertisement Join a group activity or a workshop Participating in group activities is a fantastic way to meet locals and immerse yourself in Norwegian culture. Choirs are particularly popular in Norway, and joining one can be a fun and rewarding experience if you enjoy singing. If you are more sporty, bars and cafés often have their own running clubs. Henry and Sally's hosts the Mikkeller Running Club once or twice a week, providing an excellent opportunity to stay active and socialize. You can also join a game bar . Taking part in a pub or café quiz is a good option for low-stress mingling or for inviting new friends out. If your Norwegian is not yet good enough to partake in a quiz, you can find a list of English language pub quizzes in this guide . Other popular activities include pasta-making classes, jewelry workshops, pottery crafting or morning saunas. Advertisement How to find discount deals Oslo is known for its high cost of living, but if you follow the right social media accounts or sign up to the right newsletters, you can still find some good deals out there. There are also regular special discounts available that can significantly reduce the expenses of those in the know. The VEGA cinema sells tickets for a knock-down 100 kroner on Mondays. Some of the more upmarket restaurants, such as Smalhans and L økka Bistro have special lunch deals, whereas Palate has a cheaper menu between 4pm and 6pm . Some museums also offer free admission on specific days. The Munch Museum is, for example, free between 6pm to 9pm on Wednesdays, and is free all day on December 12, the birthday of the artist Edvard Munch.
