Travel permits – known as electronic travel authorisation (ETA) – are crucial for people in European Union (EU) countries if they want to visit the UK following a change to travel rules
People in European Union (EU) countries will need a special travel permit if they wish to visit the UK from Wednesday.
The tourists must display an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) at airports in addition to their passports following changes to the UK’s immigration system. The Home Office here believes the move will make the country more secure and make the immigration system quicker.
All EU member states, excluding Ireland, and other countries, such as Norway and Switzerland, are affected by the change. It means people in these nations must apply for an ETA in advance of travel, and will only be allowed to travel with it. If a person’s ETA application is rejected, they will be told the reason and can apply again but, if this doesn’t work, they may need to apply for a visa instead.
An ETA currently costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. From April 9, 2025, an ETA will cost £16.
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The ETA – an additional security check – must be shown at passport control in order to board your plane, or travel will be refused. The Home Office says: “We are making improvements to deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year.
“Electronic travel authorisations (ETAs) are being introduced worldwide for visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status. Eligible Europeans can now apply for an ETA and will need an ETA to travel from April 2, 2025. Eligible non-Europeans already need an ETA to travel to the UK.
“An ETA is a digital permission to travel – it is not a visa and does not permit entry into the UK – it authorises a person to travel to the UK.”
The British Government says ETAs should be processed within three working days of receiving the application. The application asks the tourist a set of questions, including if they have a job, if they have ever been involved in or suspected to have been involved in any war crimes, genocide or crimes against humanity, terrorism and such offences.
Other countries, including the US and Australia, already use ETA documents and the Home Office here believes this approach to border security has shown benefits. The Government department added: “Those applying for an ETA provide their biographic, biometric and contact details, and answer a short set of questions on suitability and criminality. This will increase our knowledge about those seeking to come to the UK and prevent the arrival of those who present a threat.”
