UK imposes travel permit on Europeans from April 2

Photo from expatica

In an overhaul of long-standing travel regulations, EU citizens coming to the UK will, from Wednesday, need a mandatory entry permit, which the British government contends will strengthen border security.

You'll be able to buy the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online in the next few days for £10 (12 euros), but the fee will increase to £16 from April 9.

It will work in the same way as America's ESTA system and will be required by all European travelers to the UK from April 2, after a trial period for US, Canadian, and other visa-free travelers in January.

"By digitalizing the immigration system, we are enabling a contactless UK border," Migration Minister Seema Malhotra said earlier this month when the website went live to accept the first applications.

"Expanding ETA worldwide reaffirms our dedication to enhancing security with technology and innovation."

The visa permits entry for a stay of up to six months and is valid for two years. It is required by all persons, including children and infants.

The application, which can be completed either via a smartphone app or the government website, has been open to Europeans since the start of March.

From Wednesday, travelers from about 30 European countries — all EU countries except Ireland — will need an electronic visa to enter Britain. Britain has left the EU since 2020.

The applicant will need to upload a passport and face photo. The application is completed in about 10 minutes, according to the Home Office. A decision on an application is usually made in minutes in most instances. The government recommends a wait of up to three working days for an application. If successful, the ETA is electronically attached to the applicant's passport.

Passengers on flights who remain in the airport without entering the UK are excluded from the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme. This exclusion was implemented after Heathrow Airport raised concerns about losing passengers who transit through its facilities, as it is Europe's busiest airport.

Heathrow and Manchester airports, being the only airside transit facilities in the UK, are directly affected by the scheme's regulations.

Nearly 84 million passengers travelled through Heathrow in 2024 – one-third of whom were from the local EU

– Scheme extended –

The policy started in 2023 in Qatar and was then applied to five surrounding Gulf countries.

It was made available in January to people from about 50 other countries and territories, including Argentina, South Korea, and New Zealand.

Nearly 1.1 million tourists had been granted ETAs by the close of 2024, the Home Office said.

It does not apply to residents of the UK or to individuals who already possess UK immigration status.

The ETA scheme is similar to the ETIAS program, which is designed for visa-free citizens visiting 30 European nations, including France and Germany. However, the ETIAS program has been postponed to 2026. – Scheme extended –