All visitors to the UK apart from British and Irish citizens will need permission to enter the country before coming here by next spring under an expanded travel visa scheme, the home secretary has announced.
Rules requiring people visiting the UK without a visa to pay £10 will be expanded to include travellers from most countries from November 2024, Yvette Cooper said on Tuesday.
The previous government introduced the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system last year for people entering or in transit through the UK without legal residence rights or a visa.
ETAs, which cost £10, are currently required for nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
In a written statement laid before the House of Commons, Ms Cooper wrote: “Once fully rolled out, the ETA scheme will close the current gap in advance permissions and mean that for the first time, we will have a comprehensive understanding of those travelling to the UK.”
Here is what we know about the new UK border control rules.
What is the ETA system?
The ETA scheme was brought in to make travellers get digital permission to travel to the UK, thus controlling who comes into the country and for what reasons.
The UK Government said: “ETAs are being introduced as part of our transformation and digitisation of the UK border. They will enable a more efficient customer experience and cement the UK as a world leader in border security.”
The ETA scheme at present is for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays to the UK, or who do not already have UK immigration status before travelling. At present nationals from Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan need to apply for them. Other nationalities cannot and do not need to apply yet but that is changing very soon.
Which nationalities will require a visa to enter the UK? And will this affect European nationalities?
Eventually all but British and Irish nationals will require a visa.
From November it will apply to all other nationals, except Europeans, and be required for entry from January 8, 2025.
The programme will then be extended to European nationals in March 2025 and be a travel requirement for them from April 2, 2025.
How much do ETAs cost?
An ETA costs £10, permits multiple journeys and is valid for two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.
How do people apply for an ETA?
The easiest way to apply for an ETA is through the UK ETA app. Individuals can also search for Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation to come to the UK on gov.uk if they do not have access to a smartphone.
Those applying pay a fee and must provide details of their passport, where they are travelling to and why. A decision is then given, normally within three days of applying. Those who are granted an ETA must then travel using the passport they applied with.
What happens if someone is refused an ETA?
If someone is refused an ETA, the person will need to apply for a visa here to seek permission come to the UK. People will be denied entry if they try to enter without one.
