Spanish and other citizens from European Union countries will soon need a travel pass or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. The British Home Office has said that the plan should be introduced by the end of next year and it is aimed at strengthening border security.
European Union citizens heading to Britain will need to apply for the travel pass before they start their journey.
What is the new ETA system?
The British government has highlighted the similarities between the UK ETA and immigration systems in place in other countries, such as the United States ESTA. The EU will also launch its own digital visa waiver, ETIAS, in 2023. The ETA system will work by screening visitors before they arrive in the UK. Travellers will provide basic personal details, passport data, and some security information by completing an online ETA application form. Applications will be processed automatically, with only complex decisions made by ETA officials. Most people will receive their approved UK ETA quickly. Visitors will be able to apply from home and will not be required to visit a UK Embassy.
The UK ETA is part of a wider permission to travel policy. This means that all foreign nationals will need to obtain permission to enter the United Kingdom.
Such permission may be in the form of a traditional visa or, for non-visa-nationals, an ETA.
The ETA is not a visa. Europeans and travellers from countries including the US and Canada will maintain their visa-free status but will need an ETA to cross the UK border -
5 comments
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Nigel MaudeDon't feel bad. Most Brits haven't a clue how the EU works. Fortunately, nobody cares whether you do or not. It's >your< problem, not theirs.
Nigel MaudeWell the European Union version has been delay for another year to 2024. Report Reuter, Macron wants it delayed further as confidence is so low in the European Union’s system will work. The French govt does not want bad publicity for the Olympics with massive queues at the airports embarrassment. So let’s hope the U.K. system introduction goes more efficiently.
Nigel MaudeNo one is “responding” to anything. This has long been in the pipeline. In fact I thought it was going to come into force in 2023 not 2024. As a Spanish citizen I have no problem with applying for an ETA should I wish to travel to the UK and cannot understand all the fuss in the MDB about British citizens having to apply for an ETIAS (along with all other non EU citizens) to travel to the EU. Mountains out of molehills springs to mind.
At least the UK is responding to the EU ETIAS, which should be no surprise. EU citizens will be finding how useless their MP's are as their MP's strut about Brussels with mega salaries and expense accounts doing nothing except taking up space. Instead of fighting each other over UK 's wish to leave the union, all politicians should start realising this "tit for tat" does nothing except cause aggro that does not benefit any citizen, only our enemies, however, it may bring home how impotent their MP's are and how the unelected "secretariat" rule their lives. Lest one can hope.
But how much does it cost? 6 quid?