From Wednesday, European visitors to Britain must buy an Electronic travel authorisation (ETA)before travel,costing 10 pounds, to enhance immigration security.irish citizens are exempt. Introduced for non-Europeans last year, ETA approval links digitally to passports, allowing multiple UK visits over two years.Airlines must verify ETA status. EU to implement similar checks from October.
European visitors to Britain will have to purchase an electronic permit in advance for trips from Wednesday, as the UK government follows other countries in seeking to strengthen immigration security by screening people before they cross its borders.
It is similar to the ESTA system in operation in the United States and will be mandatory for all European visitors to Britain from April 2,following its roll-out for the US. Canadian and other visa-exempt nationals in january.
“By digitising the immigration system we are paying the way for a contactless UK border,”Migration minister Seema Malhotra said earlier this month when the website was opened for the first application.
- “Expanding ETA worldwide cements our commitment to enhance security through technology and innovation.”
- The permit allows visits of up to 6 months and is valid for 2 years. It is required for all travelers including minors and babies.
- The application, which can be made on a smartphone app or through the government website, has been open to Europeans since the start of march.
- From Wednesday, nationals of some 30 European countries – including all those in the European Union except Ireland – will need to carry the electronic permit to enter Britain, which left the EU in 2020.
- The applicant will need to provide a photo of their passport and their face. The process takes around 10 minutes,according to the home office.
- In most cases, an application decision is made within minutes. However, the government recommends allowing up to 3 working days for the application.
- If successful, the ETA is digitally linked to the applicant’s passport.
- Flight passengers transiting airside without crossing the UK border are exempt from the scheme, after pressure from Healthrow which feared a loss of passenger footfall connecting through Europe’s busiest airport.
- Only Heathrow and Manchester airports have provisions for airside transit in the UK.
- Almost 84 million passengers passed through Heathrow in 2024 – a third from the neighbouring EU.
SCHEME EXPANDED
- The scheme was first launched in 2023 for Qatar, before being extended to 5 regional gulf neighbours.
- In January, it was expanded to nationals of around 50 countries and territories, including Argentina, South Korea and New zealand.
- Almost 1.1 million visitors were issued with ETA’s before the end of 2024, according to the home office.
- It is applicable to the UK resident or anyone who already has a UK immigration status.
- ETA minors the ETIAS scheme for visa- exempt nationals travelling to 30 European countries, including France and Germany, which has been delayed until 2026.