The UK will require travelers from Europe to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) starting Wednesday, April 2. The £10 (€12) permit, available online, will rise to £16 after April 9.
How the ETA Works
- Similar to the U.S. ESTA system, the ETA allows visits of up to six months and is valid for two years.
- It applies to all travelers, including minors and infants.
- Applicants must submit a passport photo and a facial image via a smartphone app or government website. Processing takes about 10 minutes, with most approvals granted instantly. However, officials advise applying at least three working days in advance.
Who Needs It?
- Nationals from around 30 European countries, including all EU members except Ireland, must now carry an ETA.
- The rule follows the UK’s rollout of ETAs for U.S., Canadian, and other visa-exempt travelers in January.
- Transit passengers who do not cross UK borders are exempt, a concession made after Heathrow Airport raised concerns over lost connecting traffic.
Government’s Justification
Migration Minister Seema Malhotra stated the ETA system will modernize border controls, calling it a step toward a “contactless UK border.” She added that global expansion of the scheme reinforces security through “technology and innovation.”
Background and Expansion
- The ETA was first introduced in 2023 for Qatari nationals, later extending to five Gulf countries.
- In January 2024, eligibility widened to 50 additional nations, including Argentina, South Korea, and New Zealand.
- Nearly 1.1 million ETAs were issued by the end of 2023, according to the Home Office.
Exceptions
UK residents and those with existing immigration status do not need an ETA. The policy mirrors the EU’s delayed ETIAS scheme, which will eventually apply to visa-exempt visitors entering Schengen countries.
Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, handled 84 million passengers in 2023—a third from the EU. Only Heathrow and Manchester currently offer airside transit exemptions.
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