UK Implements Electronic Travel Authorization for European Visitors, Enhancing Border Security and Streamlining Entry

Starting Wednesday, European visitors to the UK will need to acquire an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before their trip, mirroring similar systems in other countries aimed at bolstering immigration security. This new requirement mandates that visitors who don't need a visa purchase pre-travel authorization online. The cost is £10 (US$12.89), increasing to £16 from April 9. Irish citizens are exempt. The ETA scheme, previously introduced for non-European nationals including those from the US, Canada, and Australia, aims to enhance security through technology and innovation, according to Migration Minister Seema Malhotra. The application process, facilitated through the UK ETA app, requires a photo, biographic details, and answers to suitability and criminality questions. Successful applicants will have their ETA digitally linked to their passport, allowing multiple UK visits of up to six months over a two-year period. Airlines, ferry, and train companies will verify travelers' ETA status before boarding. Despite the new requirement, budget airline easyJet anticipates no significant impact on travel demand from Europe to the UK. In 2023, the UK welcomed 22.5 million visitors from the EU, a notable increase from 19.0 million in 2022. This move precedes the EU's planned introduction of post-Brexit border security checks for UK nationals in October. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) will digitize border crossings, replacing manual passport stamps with biometric records. The EES is a stepping stone to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will also require non-Schengen citizens to pay a fee before traveling. Currently, Britons pay around £17 for a similar permit to enter the US.