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Those visiting the United Kingdom, including Europeans, without a visa will need to apply online for a travel permit before their journey. These new rules will come into effect next year for most countries.
The UK’s electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system, first announced for Qatar citizens, has been expanded to nationals of other countries, including those from the European Union (EU).
What is ETA, why do Europeans need it and why is it introduced? Let’s take a look.
What is ETA?
The ETA is a system introduced by the British government mandating travel permission for those who were eligible to travel to the country without a visa previously and are not a legal resident of the UK.
“Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This can be either through an Electronic Travel Authorisation or an eVisa,” the UK government says, as per Independent.
Travellers who want to enter the UK will have to pay a £10 fee (Rs 1098). According to UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, all visitors, including babies and children, to the country without a visa will require ETA, reported CNN. Irish citizens will be exempted from the new rules.
Currently, nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates need to apply for an ETA before reaching the UK. The ETA is no longer valid for Jordan nationals, who will have to apply for a visa to travel to the UK.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThis £10 fee will be valid for multiple entries to the UK over a period of two years or until the date that the traveller’s passport expires, whichever is sooner. The ETA will be digitally linked to the traveller’s passport, as per The Telegraph.
The online travel permit will also be mandatory for those transiting through the UK.
Nationals from several countries including the United States, Canada and Japan can apply for the ETA from November this year. They will be allowed entry to the UK through the permit from January 8, 2025.
The programme will be extended to Europeans next March.
The ETA scheme will be implemented for the majority of overseas travellers by April 2 next year.
Why do Europeans need it?
Europeans will require the ETA to travel to the UK from next year. This measure comes in the wake of the UK leaving the EU in January 2020.
The free movement rights of those from the EU and European Economic Area – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway – coming to the UK ended on 31 December 2020 as the Brexit transition period concluded.
The European Union will enforce a similar permit next year for non-EU travellers, including Britons. Under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), travellers from non-EU countries will have to apply online before visiting the Schengen Area, which includes most EU countries.
They will have to pay a €7 (Rs 650) fee. The ETIAS, which will be linked to the traveller’s passport, will be valid for three years or until the visitor’s passport expires, reported Euronews.
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What’s the need for ETA?
Immigration has become one of the key issues in the UK. The British government wants to cut migration and enhance border security.
The UK Home Secretary told the House of Commons in a statement, “Once fully rolled out, the ETA scheme will close the current gap in advance permissions and mean that for the first time, we will have a comprehensive understanding of those travelling to the UK.”
Cooper said the ETA will ensure “more robust security checks are carried out before people begin their journey to the UK”, which will help to prevent “abuse of our immigration system”.
The ETA requirement for transit passengers has been criticised. London Heathrow airport will become a challenging transit hub as even connecting passengers will need the travel permit.
Paul Charles, director of The PC Agency and former Virgin Atlantic communications director, told Independent: “Taxing transit is tantamount to failure. If other airports offer free transit then they will pick up market share.
“Airports should be zones of ease, enabling seamless travel. This proposed tax needs removing.”
According to the UK government, “Requiring those transiting to obtain an ETA will stop transit being a future loophole for people to use to avoid needing an ETA. This is in line with the US Esta scheme.”
The US first brought Esta or electronic travel authorisation in 2009. It costs $21 (Rs 1764) now and lasts two years.
With inputs from agencies
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