The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is currently only mandatory for travelers from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The idea is to extend it to all non-European travelers from January 8, 2025 and to Europeans from April 2.
The government of United Kingdom has announced a extension of the travelers who will be asked electronic travel authorization (ETA) to gain entry into the country, so that tourists from EU countries will need this document to enter British territory from April 2025.
The ETA is intended as a registration system for tourists from countries that do not require a visa and is currently only mandatory for travellers from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The idea is to extend it to all non-European travellers from 8 January 2025 – they can start applying for registration on 27 November this year – and in the case of Europeans the change will come into effect on 2 January. April – the ETA can be applied for from 5 March.
The registry, similar to the one that already exists for the United States, It is linked to the passport and costs £10 (about 11.8 euros at the current exchange rate). will be a validity period of two yearsunless the passport expires first, and will allow a stay of up to six months in the UK.
Migration Minister Seema Malhotra has called for a move towards “a modern immigration system” by leveraging technology as “digitalisation enables a seamless experience for the millions of people who cross the border every year.”
Malhotra stressed in a statement that Britain remains open to tourism, a sector that will contribute more than £32 billion (around €38 billion) to the British economy this year.
The EU is also working on its own registration scheme for non-Schengen travellers, the European Travel tion and Authorisation System (ETIAS), the launch of which has been delayed and is now not expected until spring next year.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
