Getting an ETA

[lowdrag]

I can't see if this has already been discussed, but here goes.

I am English and my wife French, and we are planning a visit to my family in Scotland next month. I of course don't need an ETA but my other half does. We have now spent three days trying to get an ETA on line, and wherever we go it just seems to go round in circles. Even the website shows 3/5 as a level of satisfaction. Have other people suffered the same problem?

[seiben]

My gf is from the states and had to get one recently. It was a pretty simple process using the phone app - the only minor hiccup was having to google where the chip was in her passport so her phone could scan it, but otherwise it took about 15 minutes and was approved pretty much straight away.

[Rushjob]

Are you using the App from the .gov website or a third party service?

[lowdrag]

We are not using - or trying to use - any other app than the uk.gov one. however, Madame has a meeting with a specialist on Friday to sort it all out. I am sorry to ask you all, but frankly I am approaching 80 and and I just can no longer cope with all the technology. I have sold one of my classics and will probably be selling the other at the Revival and simplify our lives.

[lowdrag]

After 45 minutes with the specialist, she got to the point of paying the fee for the ETA. It was accepted by her French bank but twice refused by the UK bank. What the f**k is going on? Tomorrow she is going to Le Mans because the travel agents there know how difficult it has been for many of their customers and have a specialist who will deal with it. Of course, now it is €45.

Yet today on the Beeb I learned that for the Brits going abroad the requirement for an ETA will not apply until next year!