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The British government announced this week that citizens of European countries will have to pay £10 (€12) to obtain an “electronic travel authorization” from next year.
This statement, known by the abbreviation “ETA”, raised several questions.
-What does the government say?
The UK Home Office has announced that all foreigners who do not need a visa to visit Britain will have to obtain permission to travel by April 2, 2025.
“Anyone wishing to travel to the UK, except British and Irish nationals, will need to obtain travel authorisation before arriving. This can be issued via an e-authorisation or e-visa,” she said.
– What is an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?
The permit is digitally linked to the traveller’s passport and will be issued to people entering or transiting through the UK without a visa.
It costs £10 (€12) and allows a traveller to visit the UK multiple times for stays of up to six months over two years or until their passport expires.
The change in travel conditions applies to people travelling to the UK for tourism or family visits. Travellers affected by it can apply for permission using the UK ETA app.
– Who needs a permit?
Previously, many visitors could arrive at any airport in Britain using their passport and enter the country without a visa.
Things started to change in November 2023, when the previous Conservative government introduced the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) service for Qataris travelling to the UK.
The British government expanded the scope of this program in early 2024 to include citizens of the Gulf Arab countries. The issuance of this permit also includes children and infants coming from these countries to Britain.
– Who is targeted in the future?
British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that holders of all nationalities except European ones will be able to apply for an electronic travel authorization starting from November 27, with the system coming into effect on January 8, 2025.
Europeans will be the last to be affected by this amendment. They will be able to apply for the permit starting from March 5, and it will come into effect on April 2, 2025.
Travellers will need this permission even if they only want to transit through the UK.
Why expand the program?
The move is part of the UK government’s efforts to digitise its border management system, which the Home Office says will ensure enhanced security checks.
The amendment of the conditions for foreigners’ entry into Britain is a result of its exit from the European Union, which put an end to the freedom of entry for European citizens.
Do other countries follow the same approach?
The UK Home Office has confirmed that electronic travel authorisations are “in line” with the approach taken by many other countries to border security, referring to the United States and Australia.
The European Union plans to create a similar system called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) in mid-2025.
The system covers about 60 countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil and the United Kingdom. The permit will cost 7 euros and will be valid for three years.
What are the reactions?
London’s Heathrow Airport has confirmed that the electronic travel pass has led to a fall in the number of passengers travelling through the UK. It has described the system as “destructive to competitiveness” and called on the government to reconsider the part of the amendment relating to transit passengers.
