Starting Wednesday, European travelers heading to Britain will be required to obtain an electronic permit before their trips, as the UK government adopts stricter immigration security measures by screening individuals before they enter the country.
Under the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, all visitors who are not required to obtain a visa must secure pre-travel approval online. The permit costs 10 pounds (12 euros), but this fee will rise to 16 pounds starting April 9. However, Irish citizens are exempt from this requirement.
Initially introduced last year for non-European travelers, the ETA scheme was first implemented for visitors from countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia.
“Expanding ETA worldwide cements our commitment to enhance security through technology and innovation,” migration minister Seema Malhotra stated last month.
According to the UK Home Office, also known as the interior ministry, the application process for the ETA is designed to be straightforward. Applicants can submit their requests through the UK ETA app, and the majority of them are expected to receive an automatic decision within minutes.
To apply, travelers must upload a photo, provide personal details, and answer questions related to their suitability and any criminal history. Once approved, the ETA is digitally linked to their passport.
With an ETA, travelers can make multiple visits to the UK for up to six months over a two-year period.
Airlines, as well as ferry and train operators, will be responsible for ensuring that travelers have a valid ETA before they board.
Despite the new requirement, budget airline easyJet (EZJ.L) stated on Tuesday that it does not anticipate any negative impact on demand for travel between Europe and the UK.
In 2023, Britain welcomed 22.5 million visitors from the European Union, an increase from 19.0 million in 2022, according to official statistics.
Meanwhile, the European Union is set to implement its long-delayed post-Brexit border security measures for UK nationals traveling to the bloc in October. Britain officially exited the EU in 2020.
The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) will eliminate the need for manual passport stamping at the external borders of the EU. Instead, it will create digital records linking travelers’ documents to their identities through biometric data.
The EES will serve as a preliminary step toward the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will also require travelers from non-Schengen countries to pay a fee before entering the EU.
Currently, British travelers must pay approximately 17 pounds for a similar permit when visiting the United States.
($1 = 0.7744 pounds)
(1 euro = 0.8366 pounds)