UK Electronic Travel Authorisation: When will the new visa-free regime be implemented for Europeans?

The UK Home Office has announced the global launch date for the Electronic Travel Authorization system.

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The UK's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will soon be available to visitors from Europe, Australia, the US and Canada.

As part of a plan to fully digitise borders by 2025, tourists will be required to obtain a permit before entering the country.

The Ministry of Interior began implementing the scheme in November last year for citizens of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Now the time has been announced when it will apply to other nationalities (including Europeans).

Here's everything we know so far:

When do EU travellers need to apply for an ETA to visit the UK?

Qatari visitors will be among the first to apply for the UK's new ETA system, which comes into effect from 15 November 2023.

From February 2024, visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan will be the next group.

Previously, nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates could apply for a single-use Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) instead of a UK entry visa. It cost £30 (34.30) and was valid for up to six months.

According to the UK Government, the ETA scheme has now completely replaced the EVW scheme, offering multiple entry validity and a cheaper option.

This week, the Home Office announced that the ETA will be open to all nationalities other than Europeans from this November, and will become mandatory for entry from 8 January 2025.

Europeans will need an ETA for travel from 2 April 2025, with applications opening in March.

How do I apply for an ETA to enter the UK?

If this scheme applies to your country, you will need to complete an online application to be granted permission to enter the UK. According to the government, most visitors can apply using a mobile app, which will ensure that their application is decided quickly.

You will need a valid biometric passport from an eligible country, travel details, email address, credit or debit card, and a series of eligibility questions.

As with the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a small fee is charged for the application process. This fee is set at 10 (11.66).

Travelers are encouraged to apply at least a few days before their planned travel date, and approval will be issued within 72 hours.

Advertisement Do I need a visa to enter the UK?

An ETA is not a visa, but it does give you permission to enter the country.

All visitors who do not currently need to apply for a visa will need to obtain an ETA before travelling. This includes those who do not currently need to make any form of application to visit the UK. That means that citizens of the US, Canada, Australia and Europe will need an ETA even for a short stay.

Failure to apply before travel may result in a fine. British and Irish passport holders do not need an ETA.

Travellers from countries that do not have a visa-free entry agreement with the UK will still need to apply for the correct visa and ETA.

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Your ETA is valid for up to 6 months or 2 years as a valid UK visa, meaning you do not need to apply for a new travel permit if you re-enter the UK within the validity period.

Why is the UK introducing the ETA system?

ETA is part of the UK's plan to digitise borders at UK airports by the end of 2025.

Some passengers may be able to enter the country without using ePassport gates or speaking to border officers. Instead, they will likely have to upload a photograph of themselves and submit it to the Home Office before they travel.

The scheme aims to speed up legal travel to the UK by reducing queues at the border.

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Facial recognition technology could make these contactless corridors possible, British newspaper The Times reports. International travelers will be required to submit biometric information, such as a photograph of their face, and biometric identification data through a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system before flying.

Sources 1/ https://Google.com/ 2/ https://www.euronews.com/travel/2024/09/11/eu-tourists-could-soon-have-to-apply-for-permission-to-travel-before-entering-the-uk The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article

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