Non-Europeans traveling to or transiting through the UK without a visa are now mandated to acquire a £10 digital permit starting today (8 January).
The Home Office is broadening the electronic travel authorization (ETA) framework, initially launched in November 2023.
Previously, an ETA – a digital consent to travel – was only necessary for nationals from Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
Data from the Home Office indicates that over 243,000 Gulf nationals received ETAs in the first half of 2024.
Beginning Wednesday, the ETA will be compulsory for non-Europeans entering the UK without legal residency rights or a visa, extending to all travelers from 2 April. A list of nationalities eligible to apply for an ETA can be located on the government website.
Each ETA allows multiple visits to the UK for stays lasting up to six months at a time within two years, or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
The ETA will be obligatory for all “non-visa” visitors from abroad to the UK, with Irish citizens making an exception as they benefit from free movement under the Common Travel Agreement.
Individuals exempt from needing an ETA include British citizens, those holding permissions to reside, work, or study in the UK, travelers possessing a British overseas territories citizen passport, or those lawfully residing in Ireland who travel from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man to the UK.
People with dual citizenship in Britain or Ireland are also exempt from needing an ETA, provided they use their British or Irish passports.
The point of origin for the journey to the UK is irrelevant; what matters is the nationality of the traveler.
ETA applications can be submitted through the UK ETA app or the gov.uk site, with the ETAs digitally linked to the traveler’s passport.
Applicants will need to provide passport photos as well as personal photographs, along with responses to a series of questions. The government states: “This will enhance our understanding of individuals intending to travel to the UK and assist in preventing the entry of those who may pose a risk.”
A determination on each application is anticipated “typically” within three days. In reality, current comparable systems in the US, Canada, and other locations often yield faster approval.
The Home Office affirms that “more stringent security checks will be performed before individuals embark on their journey to the UK,” which will help mitigate “the exploitation of our immigration framework.”
The UK government has also resolved that even those who are connecting passengers must secure an ETA.
Heathrow Airport attributed the scheme to a 90,000 decrease in transfer passenger numbers on the routes affected since its implementation.
It labeled the initiative as “devastating for our hub competitiveness” and urged the government to “reevaluate” the inclusion of airside transit passengers.
The government contends that requiring transit passengers to obtain ETAs will provide a “thorough understanding” of those traveling to the UK and will empower it to hinder the movement of individuals who pose a risk.
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