The government is taking major steps towards delivering its
ambitious aim to digitise the UK border and immigration system
and has today set out new implementation dates for the electronic
travel authorisation (ETA) scheme.
Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish
citizens – will need permission to travel in advance of coming
here. This can be either through an ETA or an eVisa.
Today we are confirming that from 27 November 2024, eligible
non-Europeans can apply for an ETA and will need an ETA to travel
from 8 January 2025. ETAs will then extend to eligible Europeans
from 5 March 2025, who will need an ETA to travel from 2 April
2025.
ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller's passport and ensure
more robust security checks are carried out before people begin
their journey to the UK, helping to prevent abuse of our
immigration system. An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple
journeys to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time over 2
years or until the holder's passport expires – whichever is
sooner.
From today, information about ETA
eligibility is available on GOV.UK. Anyone needing to apply
for an ETA will be able to do so through a quick and simple
process using the UK ETA app.
Gulf Cooperation Council visitors already need an ETA to travel
to the UK.
The introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach many other
countries have taken to border security, including the US and
Australia.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, , said:
Digitisation enables a smooth experience for the millions of
people who pass through the border every year, including the
visitors we warmly welcome to the UK who are predicted to
contribute over £32 billion to our tourism economy this year.
The worldwide expansion of the ETA demonstrates our commitment to
enhance security through new technology and embedding a modern
immigration system.
People who need a UK visa to live, work or study in the UK are
now issued with an eVisa, providing digital proof of immigration
status, instead of physical immigration documents which can be
lost, stolen, or tampered with. eVisas mean people no longer have
to wait for or travel to collect a physical document,
streamlining their experience.
The government is asking migrants in the UK who currently use a
physical immigration document, including a biometric residence
permit (BRP), or a passport containing ink stamps or visa
vignette stickers, to take action now and create an online account
to access their eVisa.
Most BRPs are due to expire on 31 December 2024, and BRP holders
are urged to take action before their BRP expires.
Creating the account enables people to use online services to
prove their rights and manage their data, such as their personal
details and passport information, and won't impact their
underlying immigration status. Through government funding, extra
support is being provided for vulnerable people who need to take
action to move from physical documents to an eVisa.
The government continues to work closely with global airline,
maritime and rail carriers, who are crucial to ensuring smooth
implementation of our digitisation programme.
