UK Launches Mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation for European Visitors

The digital entry permit, costing £10 initially and rising to £16 on April 9, is part of a phased rollout aimed at enhancing border security and streamlining entry processes.

• The ETA system is now mandatory for most European visitors to the UK, with Irish citizens and UK residents exempt.
• The permit, valid for two years, allows multiple visits of up to six months and is linked digitally to the applicant's passport.
• Applications can be completed online or via a mobile app, with most decisions issued within minutes, though travelers are advised to apply up to three days in advance.
• A buffer period lasting several months allows travelers to board without an ETA while the system is phased in, with full enforcement expected by late 2025.
• The ETA mirrors similar systems like the US ESTA and the EU ETIAS, with the latter delayed until 2026, and aims to modernize UK border controls post-Brexit.

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RFI The Independent