July 2, 2023, update. It appears that the UK will roll out the ETA this November, with a phased approach. the ETA will initially be required for Qatari citizens this November 15th. Other countries will follow through 2024. Since my original post, the UK Government has set the cost for the ETA. On June 6, 2023, the UK government set the cost at 10 British Pounds for a 2-year travel authorization. This authorization must accompany a valid passport from your home country.
Original post
First off, I’m planning a trip to Scotland this summer. In preparation for the trip, I’m doing my research and hit a blurb on the Electronic Travel Authorization, or UK ETA. The UK ETA is under development and set for a 2024 implementation. I figured this topic warranted a quick blog to provide you all a heads up for the future. The intention of this blog is just to inform and share what I have discovered.
Resources
There are two websites I that I have found that set the baseline for the program.
The first document that I found was the UK’s policy paper, posted on February 25, 2022.
Nationality and Borders Bill: Electronic Travel Authorisation factsheet – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
And the UK’s website on the roll out that provides a lot of information on the process and applicability.
ETA UK: Electronic Travel Authorisation for the United Kingdom
What does this mean?
The UK Electronic Travel Authorization is under development and planned for implementation by the end of 2024. The ETA will be applicable to citizens from countries that have a Visa-Free Agreement with the UK. Travelers from these countries are currently exempt from visa requirements to visit, like the EU countries and the US. There is a full list of countries that this applies to on that are listed the site.
Like the EU’s ETIAS, which I blogged previously, the UK ETA is a short-term travel authorization that will supplement your country’s Passport. Its intention is to provide enhanced security by further vetting of people coming into the UK, and to generate revenue.
The websites indicate that there is still a lot to be defined. This includes the term of validity (though stated to be valid for at least two (2) years), when the application window will open, and the cost.
UK ETA Application Process
The UK Government is designing the application process to be completely online, and it should be quick. The application process is expected to be completed within 2 – 3 days. The website indicates that all you will need to apply is a valid passport from your home country, intended date of travel, valid email, and a credit card.
I interpret that the “Date of travel” applies to the first time you plan to enter the UK after the ETA is implemented. I don’t think they want you to tell them the dates of all the trips you plan to take over a 2-year period. Heck. If I could foretell the future, I’d leverage that gift for lottery ticket purchases.
I believe that “short-term” may vary country by country, as it defined by the travel rights granted to your passport today.
For example, you can travel to the UK and stay for up to six months on a US Passport without having to pursue an additional Visa. Like the current passport, the visa will have the same rights: tourism, business travel, medical treatment, and short-term study. It will also have the same limitation, such as you can’t find a job, can’t draw benefits, can’t enroll in long term study such as a degree program, can’t pretend to pick up the local accent, etc.
Keep checking!
As with every program, keeping an eye on its implementation is important if you are planning a UK trip n 2024, or later. I recommend checking on the websites periodically to keep apprised of the UK ETA implementation timelines and requirements.
The UK government will release more information on this topic through the year. I will update my blog when I find out more. If you are planning trips to the UK in the future, I hope this blog and the resources I cited are helpful to you. Until next time!
Travel Well! Pursue Experiences.
O.M.I.A.H.