One of the government’s main priorities is to keep the UK safe. To strengthen the security of the border and improve travel, the UK has launched an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) scheme.
ETA is a digital permission to travel to the United Kingdom.
Thus, the scheme is broadly for visitors who do not require a visa for requirement in the UK or do not already have UK expats before traveling.
Are you planning to apply for an ETA to enter the United Kingdom?
In this article, you will discover every detail about the ETA scheme and how this will help you travel to the UK with a visa now and in the coming days.
Table of Contents
What Is The ETA Scheme?
Visitors and people transiting through the United Kingdom who do not presently need a visa to visit the UK for tourism or business will need to apply for the ETA before traveling.
Once the strategy is implemented, the new ETA travel needs will apply to UK visitors from all over the world, including the US, EU, Canada, and Australia.
Similarly, an eta uk application allows permission to travel to the nation. However, a visa will prevent me from living or working in the UK.
Online travel authorization is like ESTA or the Electronic System for Travel Authorization schemes for US visitors.
Who Needs the New ETA To Enter The UK Without A Visa?
The eta uk scheme is open for nationals of:
- Bahrain.
- Kuwait.
- Oman.
- Qatar.
- Saudi Arabia.
- United Arab Emirates.
On the other hand, people from different nationalist cannot and do not need to apply for eta uk yet.
However, the eta uk scheme is introduced all across the world for travelers to the United Kingdom who do not presently need a visa for a short stay. This consideration also includes the people of European nationals.
Hence, the UK aims to roll out the scheme for travelers from every country who do not require a visa to visit the UK.
Why Was ETA A Major Change For Travelers?
Similarly, the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme significantly changes travel procedures for nationals from specific countries. Previously, nationals from these countries, excluding Jordan, were part of the EVW (Electronic Visa Waiver) system, which allowed them to travel without applying for a traditional visit visa. However, the new ETA scheme will extend these simplified travel arrangements to more travelers.
Recently, the UK announced that the UK ETA will be extended to include more than 80 countries around the world.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Hong Kong (including British national overseas)
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia (Federated States)
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Samoa
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Taiwan
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- United States
- Uruguay
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Vatican City
Until now, nationals from countries outside of the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have required a visa to visit the UK. With the introduction of the ETA scheme, they will be exempt from this requirement. This move is expected to facilitate smoother and more accessible travel for Jordanian visitors to the UK.
Who Does Not Need An ETA?
Here is a list of travelers who will not need an eta uk if they:
- Already have a UK visa.
- Is a British citizen.
- Is a Irish citizen.
- They already have a settlement in the UK or are exempt from immigration control.
- Is a person who has entry clearance or permission to stay or enter the UK.
- Is a British Overseas Territory Citizen (BOTC) traveling on a BOTC passport.
Similarly, visitors might not be allowed to apply for the ETA scheme if they are not Irish but are residents and do not require a visa to visit the United Kingdom.
How Long Does the UK ETA Last?
When obtaining an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorizations) for the UK, the approval remains valid for a period of two years.
However, if the traveler’s passport expires before the two-year mark, the eta uk validity will be limited to the passport’s expiry date instead.
Therefore, during its validity period, the ETA allows multiple entries into the UK, but travelers must adhere to visitor regulations.
Similarly, an ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK, so travelers might still need to demonstrate to the immigration officer upon entry that they will comply with the visitor rule.
So, among these regulations is the stipulation that visitors may not engage in employment or establish their primary residence in the UK.
How Much ETA Cost?
Here are some of the following considerations of how much an ETA costs:
- An eta uk cost £10.
- This cost is competitive and is comparable with similar international schemes by international partners.
- Concerning our fees, the government keeps the cost of an ETA under review.
How To Apply For UK ETA?
Below-mentioned are steps that will help travelers apply for ETA.
- The application process is fast and straightforward here. Applicants usually receive a decision within three working days, but you might also receive a quicker decision.
- The easiest decision is to apply for the ETA through the eta uk application. Individuals can also search for Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization to come to the UK on GOV.UK if they do not have access to a smartphone.
- To apply, you need to pay the fee, provide your passport and contact details, answer a set of questions, provide a photo, and comply with the UK rules.
What To Do If an ETA Application Is Refused?
Unfortunately, when an Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA) application is not approved, the only options are to request a review or appeal the decision directly.
Therefore, it is important to note that a rejection of an ETA application does not mean one is outright banned from entering the UK.
So, what it means is that you will not be able to use the ETA to travel there. In such a situation, you might still have the opportunity to apply for a traditional visa.
Hence, this process allows you to furnish additional supporting documents that help clarify any issues or concerns that led to the ETA refusal, potentially improving your chances of being granted permission to visit the United Kingdom.
Wrapping Up
Employers with colleagues stationed outside the UK but who frequently visit the country or are involved in organizing business travel to the UK should be aware of new Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA) requirements.
Hence, this is especially crucial if any of these colleagues are nationals of the countries specified in the list provided.
Therefore, employers should ensure this information is shared widely within their organization to facilitate smooth travel plans and compliance with the new regulations.
So, if you plan to visit the country, ensure you collect every detail and read the information above to gain further insights.
