The UK government has put in place a new requirement for travellers wishing to visit the country.
An “Electronic Travel Authorization” (ETA) has been introduced, which digitizes tourists’ applications to visit the country by paying a fee of around $13.
“Anyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need to obtain travel authorisation before coming here,” the UK government website states.
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ETAs are linked to a traveler’s passport in order to facilitate security checks and “prevent abuse” of the immigration system.
The UK is introducing an electronic travel authorisation to ease security checks and “prevent abuse” of the immigration system. (iStock)
According to the UK Office for National Statistics, 38 million visits were recorded in the UK in 2023, an increase of 6.7 million visits compared to 2022.
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An online form will be made available asking for valid passport information, travel details, email address and credit or debit card, as well as “suitability questions”.
Tourists can apply via an online form that will ask for valid passport information, travel details, email address and credit or debit card, as well as suitability questions. (Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty Images)
The ETA applies to anyone staying in the country for up to six months for tourism, visiting family or friends, business or short-term study.
“ETA’s global expansion demonstrates our commitment to strengthening security through new technologies and the integration of a modern immigration system,” Migration and Citizenship Minister Seema Malhotra said in a press release.
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“[Digitization] “This provides a seamless experience for the millions of people who cross the border each year, including visitors who we warmly welcome to the UK and who are expected to contribute more than £32 billion to our tourism economy this year,” Malhotra added.
The UK will require all tourists to apply for an electronic travel authorization before visiting the country to obtain authorization and pay a fee of around $13. (iStock, Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty Images)
The system will open to all other nationalities, except Europeans, from next November and will be mandatory for all entries from April 2025.
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The UK plans to fully digitalise its borders by 2025.
