Can’t enter your phone number on the UK ETA site or app? This guide explains how to fix phone number issues, correct international formatting, how to update your contact details, and practical troubleshooting to complete your UK ETA application.
iVisa helps travelers avoid format errors and submission delays with step-by-step guidance, expert review, and friendly support, so you can focus on your trip while we help you get the details right the first time.
What is the UK ETA and who needs it?
The UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is a digital pre-travel approval for visa‑exempt nationals visiting or transiting the United Kingdom. Applications require a valid passport, a recent photo, correct contact details, and payment.
Many applicants run into problems when entering their phone number on the UK ETA site. If your number isn’t accepted, you may need to re-enter it in international format.
While the UK offers a mobile app for applying, you can also submit your ETA online. iVisa offers a simplified process that helps prevent common errors (including phone-number formatting issues), and checks and adjusts photos to meet official UK government standards.
What are the correct UK ETA phone number requirements?
The UK ETA application requires a valid mobile number for account setup, security codes, and status updates.
The field typically follows international E.164 rules: a plus sign, country code, then your number without spaces or leading zeros.
iVisa guides applicants on these standards and checks entries, so common mistakes are caught early. Whether you apply on the official app or through iVisa’s guided process, matching E.164 formatting prevents most “Enter a valid phone number” errors.
How to format your number correctly for the UK ETA application (with examples)
The UK government uses E.164 formatting:
- plus sign
- country code
- your local number without spaces
iVisa recommends these examples to check your entry quickly:
- For a UK phone number 07700 900123, enter: +447700900123
- For a U.S. phone number (415) 555‑2671, enter: +14155552671
- For an India phone number 09876 543210, enter: +919876543210
During iVisa’s automated and expert review missing “+”, stray spaces, incorrect formatting, and wrong lengths will be flagged and corrected, helping you get your UK ETA approved quickly.
How to fix common UK ETA phone number issues?
Below are the UK ETA phone errors we see most often, and how to solve them:
| Issue |
Solution |
| Wrong format |
Use E.164: +country code number (no spaces, hyphens, or leading 0). |
| Country mismatch |
Select correct country code. |
| Length errors |
Remove extra or add missing digits. |
| VOIP number rejected |
Use real mobile SIM number. |
| Browser auto-formatting |
Paste plain text or retype manually. |
| Verification SMS not received |
Check roaming/SMS blocks or try different number. |
| Too many code requests |
Wait 10 minutes, request a new code once. |
iVisa double-checks your phone number and avoids having to verify your account to finish your ETA application.
How can iVisa help solve UK ETA phone number issues?
iVisa reduces formatting mistakes, so you won’t have to worry about incorrect details, as every application goes through a thorough review before submission.
- Pre-check format: iVisa prompts the “+” country code and removes leading zeros
- Validate digits: iVisa flags wrong lengths or characters
- No verification required: iVisa verifies your account on your behalf to simplify your application
- Email status tracking: iVisa keeps you up-to-date about the status of your application by email
By combining these steps, you minimize errors and delays. iVisaWe keeps you moving through the UK ETA application quickly while ensuring your phone details match the UK’s strict requirements.
Use case: Travelers blocked by the UK ETA phone-number step can still apply through iVisa
Some travelers can’t get past the official UK ETA site because their phone number won’t be accepted, or they can’t receive a verification code.
Our platform lets them continue without getting stuck on that step, so the application can be completed smoothly on any device. Luis from Mexico shared:
“The UK ETA site wouldn’t accept my phone number, so I couldn’t move forward. iVisa let me apply without that roadblock, and everything was quick and stress-free.”
Phone-number validation and SMS issues are common on the official system, and they can stop an otherwise valid application. These real traveler experiences show how iVisa keeps the process simple - even when the official platform creates unnecessary delays.
Step-by-step fixes if the ETA site or app rejects your number
If the UK ETA platform still rejects your number, follow these steps:
-
Confirm country code and remove any leading zeros.
-
Retype the number rather than pasting, to avoid non‑breaking spaces.
-
Switch to a private window, disable VPN/ad blockers, and clear cache.
-
Try another browser or device.
-
Use a SIM capable of receiving international SMS.
The iVisa process has simplified each step in the UK ETA application process, and we check all details before submitting. You won’t have to spend precious time fixing phone number issues, as we do this on your behalf.
Need the UK ETA quickly and can’t get past the phone number step? Use iVisa for a simplified UK ETA application.
FAQs about fixing phone number issues for the UK ETA
I can’t enter my phone number on the UK ETA site, what should I do?
Here are the most reliable fixes when the UK ETA website won’t accept or let you type your phone number:
-
Enter it in international format.
Use your country code and drop any leading zero. Example (UK): +44 7xxx xxx xxx, not 07xxx.... Many GOV.UK forms expect E.164-style numbers.
GOV.UK
-
Type it manually (don’t use autofill).
Browser autofill can insert hidden spaces or symbols that the field rejects. Delete the field fully and re-type.
-
Remove spaces/special characters.
Try a “clean” version like +447XXXXXXXXX (no spaces, dashes, or parentheses).
-
Switch browser or device.
If you’re on Safari, try Chrome/Edge (or vice versa). If you’re on a phone, try a laptop/desktop. Cross-browser glitches are common on the ETA flow.
-
Clear cache / use a private window.
Old site data can break form validation. Open an incognito/private tab and try again.
-
Turn off VPN/ad blockers and retry.
These can interfere with GOV.UK verification and form scripts.
-
Check your SMS/call settings.
If the problem happens at verification, make sure your phone can receive international SMS, and that your carrier isn’t blocking short codes. (This is a frequent cause of “number not working” loops.)
-
If it still won’t work, use an alternative application route.
GOV.UK allows applying via the UK ETA app instead of the website for many travellers.
And if the official channels keep erroring, applying through iVisa is another option; iVisa reviews the details for you and avoids some of the technical pain points.
How do I update my phone number after submitting the UK ETA application?
You
can’t change any details (including your phone number) after you submit the application or once the ETA is approved.
But don’t worry, if your phone number changes later, you don’t need to update it or apply again. Your UK ETA is linked to your passport, not your phone number.
You only need a new UK ETA if you get a new passport or your passport details change.
What’s the correct phone number format for the UK ETA?
Use E.164 formatting:
- country code
- your number without spaces, dashes, or leading zeros
For example, a UK mobile 07700 900123 becomes +447700900123. iVisa validates this format during our expert review and flags hidden characters that can appear when pasting.
Can I use a non-UK number for the UK ETA?
Yes, the UK ETA accepts international numbers if they can receive SMS. Make sure your SIM is active for international messages.
iVisa experts recommend avoiding VOIP or app-only numbers since some verification systems block them. If you’re roaming, ensure your plan allows SMS abroad.
The verification code never arrives - what should I do?
First, confirm E.164 formatting and that your carrier allows international SMS. Wait several minutes before requesting another code, and avoid repeated requests that can trigger rate limits.
Try a private browser window, disable VPNs, and ensure your device isn’t filtering unknown senders.
If the issue persists, iVisa can help you bypass the verification step by submitting the application on your behalf.
Can iVisa submit my ETA if I don’t have SMS access?
Yes, iVisa can provide a simplified process without having to complete verification. With iVisa’s support, travelers quickly find a workable solution without running into phone number issues, or even having to use their mobile device to receive a security code.
What if the app says my number is invalid even after formatting?
If you can’t seem to get around the phone number step during the UK ETA application, iVisa can provide an alternative method to apply online, so you can proceed with your UK ETA successfully and without delays.
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