How to check if your ETA or visa is real or fake

Worried your visa or ETA might be fake? You’re not alone. Every day, travelers apply online for the UK ETA, India eVisa, US ESTA, Canadian visa, UK visa, or other mandatory travel documents, only to panic when the confirmation appears incorrect, there’s no document to download, or the site they used seems suspicious.

This guide is for you if you searched:

• Private website for UK ETA was it a scam
• How to check if my visa is real
• How to check ETA status online
• Is my ESTA fake
• The UK visa confirmation email looks fake.

If you applied through iVisa, you’re safe. Your application was submitted through a legitimate, secure platform, and your visa or ETA can be verified at any time.

Here's what to check before you apply, how to track your application if you applied through iVisa, and what steps to take if you applied through a third-party website and are unsure whether your visa or ETA is valid.

First, what kind of document did you apply for?

Not all visas and travel authorizations function in the same manner. If you’re expecting a PDF and your visa is digital, there’s no reason to panic. Here’s a quick breakdown.

Visa type	What you receive	Is it linked to your passport?	Example Image of what you will receive:
UK ETA	Email confirmation (no attachments)	Yes
US ESTA	Email confirmation (no attachments)	Yes
India eVisa	PDF approval sent by email	No
UK visa	Visa is placed in your passport (sticker or vignette)	No
Canada visa	Decision shown in an online account and, if approved, a visa label in your passport	No

If you applied for something like the UK ETA or US ESTA, it’s normal only to receive an email confirmation with no attachments. These approvals are linked to your passport electronically, so you will not get a visa “certificate” or official PDF to download.

If you applied through iVisa

You’re covered. Here’s how to verify your visa or ETA is legitimate.

1) Confirm you used the right website: Make sure your application was submitted on ivisa.com or ivisatravel.com. If you applied on any other domain, it may be a copycat site or a different third-party provider.

2) Check your inbox for the right sender: We send confirmation as soon as your order is submitted, along with updates at every stage of the process, and finally when the document is approved. Our emails only come from @ivisa-send.com or @ivisatravel.com. In those emails, look for your order number, visa type, and passport details.

3) Track it online: You can also log in to your iVisa dashboard to check the status of your application and download your documents from your account, both in the app and on the website.

4) Real support: Need help? Our support team is available by chat or WhatsApp.

“A real application process should never feel like a black box. Travelers should be able to see progress, receive clear updates, and know what happens next. That’s one of the biggest reasons people choose us instead of guessing their way through official portals,” explains David Perez, iVisa CEO.

Why trust iVisa?

When you apply through iVisa, you always know the status of your application.

• We processed 8,000+ UK ETA applications in a single month.
• Most rush UK ETA applications were completed in less than a day.
• For India Tourist eVisa rush orders, most were completed within 3 days, adhering to the promised timeframe.
• 90%+ of standard orders with us were completed on time

We don’t just promise on-time delivery. We provide step-by-step updates, real-time tracking, and human support when you need it.

Download our mobile app

If you applied through another third-party website and feel unsure

Start with these checks:

1. Look for a confirmation email Search your inbox for keywords like visa, ETA, eVisa, or receipt. Do the passport and visa details match your trip?
2. Check your bank statement The company name may give away the site you used. If it’s unrecognizable, that’s a warning sign.
3. Use an official government tracker These are the official sites to check your visa or ETA status:
   • UK ETA
   • US ESTA
   • India eVisa
   • Canada visa
   • US visa application (B1/B2)

Some governments also offer official mobile apps that allow you to apply and check on the status of your application on the go:

• UK ETA: UK ETA app (iOS) or UK ETA app (Android)
• US ESTA: ESTA Mobile (iOS) or ESTA Mobile (Android)
• India eVisa: Indian Visa Su-Swagatam (iOS) or Indian Visa Su-Swagatam (Android)

If the information doesn’t match or you can’t find your application, consider reapplying.

If you don’t remember what site you used

This happens more than you think.

• Search your email and spam folders Use terms like “ETA”, “eVisa”, “visa approval”, or “travel authorization”.
• Check your card statement Look for any information related to visas, travel, or service fees.
• Reapply if you’re close to travel

If you’re flying soon and can’t confirm your visa status, don’t risk it. Start a new application with us or the official government website to ensure you're covered.

How to avoid fake visa sites

Here’s what to look for before applying:

• Clear pricing, including service and government fees
• Verified reviews (Trustpilot, Google)
• Disclosure that it's a private service, not a government website
• Secure payment
• Visible customer support (chat, WhatsApp)
• Application tracking is available after payment

If the site you used is missing most of these, that’s a strong signal it wasn’t legitimate.

Avoid the stress: Apply with us

You don’t need to use a government site to apply for a visa or ETA. However, you do need a provider that offers transparency, support, and a genuine application process that you can track.

With iVisa, you get:

• Step-by-step guidance
• Verified applications reviewed by our experts
• Real-time tracking and email updates
• Live support, even on weekends