- The UK will introduce the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme in late 2024 to digitise the border and immigration system.
- Non-European visitors will require an ETA to enter the UK from January 8, 2025, with Europeans following suit from April 2, 2025.
- ETAs, digitally linked to passports, will allow multiple trips over two years for stays of up to six months, with applications available on the UK ETA app for £10.
- This new digital process aligns with similar systems in other countries, enhancing security and simplifying entry procedures for eligible travelers.
The UK government is advancing its digital transformation of border security and immigration systems with the rollout of the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme to impact non-British and non-Irish citizens entering the country. Starting November 27, 2024, eligible non-European nationals can apply for an ETA, which will become mandatory for entry by January 8, 2025. For European travelers, ETAs will be required from April 2, 2025.
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Each ETA is linked directly to a traveler’s passport, ensuring heightened security checks well before individuals embark on their journey. Priced at £10, the ETA permits multiple UK entries over two years, with each stay capped at six months. Applications are designed to be simple and accessible, and travelers can apply through the dedicated UK ETA app.
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The UK joins countries like the US and Australia, which already have similar pre-travel authorisation systems in place to strengthen border security. Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, emphasized the significance of digitisation in streamlining the immigration process, highlighting how it will facilitate smoother border crossings for the millions of visitors expected to contribute to the UK’s tourism economy, projected to generate over £32 billion this year.
While the ETA system is tailored for short-term visitors, long-term migrants needing visas for work, study, or residency in the UK now receive an eVisa—a digital immigration document that replaces physical documents such as the biometric residence permit (BRP). eVisas enables individuals to easily access and update their immigration information online and provides a secure, more efficient alternative to physical paperwork, which can be lost, stolen, or tampered with.
Ahead of the system changes, BRP holders are advised to create an online account to manage their immigration status, as most physical BRPs are set to expire by December 31, 2024.
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