New ETA System for European Visitors
Starting April 2025, European travelers will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to visit the United Kingdom. The ETA, which costs £10 (about €12), requires digital submission of personal and biometric information and can take up to three days to process. It will be valid for two years, allowing multiple visits of up to six months each.
British residents abroad, as well as foreign citizens resident in the Republic of Ireland, are exempt as they are part of a common travel area with the United Kingdom.
Rollout and Exemptions
The ETA system, already tested with select Arab countries, will expand to all non-visa-required short-term visitors. Applications for non-European travelers will open on November 27, 2024, with the requirement starting January 8, 2025. European travelers can apply from March 5, 2025, with the mandate in effect from April 2, 2025. British nationals abroad and foreign residents in Ireland are exempt.
Applications for an ETA are made preferably through mobile phones using the UK ETA app, available from the App Store and Google Play. Applications can also be made online at a UK government website. Each traveller, including children and babies, must have an individual ETA.
Global Trend in Digital Travel Authorizations
The new ETA aligns with digital border control systems used by countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It reflects a global shift towards digital solutions for enhanced border security and streamlined travel.
Sources:
RTP Madeira
Wikipedia
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