Is a part of United Kingdom In an effort to fully digitize the border by 2025, travelers will soon be required to apply for a new e-travel permit to enter the country.
This requirement applies to all visitors, including Americans, who can go there visa-free.
As of January, the UK government has yet to announce a release date for the online application process. Previously, they said the ETA system would be fully operational by the end of 2023, with plans to release licenses early this year.
“Once the ETA is introduced, all international travelers will need to be allowed to enter or transit the UK,” according to the government. “This will include visa-free nationalities who will need an ETA”, plus those coming to the UK for tourism, business, short-term education and medical treatment.
If you are in one of those groups, you will need to apply online at any time before departing for the UK. This process only takes a few minutes. To apply, you need a valid national biometric passport from an eligible country, trip details, email address, and a credit or debit card.
“Before submitting your application for approval, be sure to check that you have entered all required information correctly,” government warning. “Any error can lead to processing delays or even rejection of your ETA.”
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Applications should be processed within 48 to 72 hours. The ETA will be valid for visa-free travel for up to 180 days or six months in the UK, or valid for visas for two years.
“ETA is not a visa,” according to the government. “Europeans and visitors from countries including the United States and Canada will maintain visa-free status but will need an ETA to cross the UK border.”
While the UK government has yet to confirm how much the permit will cost, similar visas for travelers to other places — including Canada, the European Union and the United States — range from $5 to $21. The government did not respond to a request before publication to comment on the change or exactly when it plans to implement it. It is also unclear if travelers will have to present this form to airlines or UK Border Force upon arrival in the country.
In August 2022, the EU delayed the implementation of the long-awaited agreement Visa Program European Travel Authorization and Information System, which requires tourists to pay a fee to visit EU countries, until November 2023. Americans and other travelers from 62 non-EU countries who are not currently required to obtain a visa will need one. ETIAS permission to enter the EU for visits up to 90 days, including transit passengers. Only visitors aged 18 to 70 are required to pay a 7 euro (about $7) fee, but everyone must apply for a permit.
As of January 27, applications for ETA UK have yet to be opened. More information will be available closer to the launch date here.
