In order to meet its goal of fully digitising border systems by 2025, the United Kingdom (U.K.) will soon require inbound international visitors to obtain a British entry permit document known as the Electronic Travel Authorisation UK (ETA UK).It should be noted that ETA UK approval will be required for all foreign visitors looking to enter or transit the UK, including those from visa-free countries such as the US. “The ETA is not a visa,” the UK government confirmed in its announcement. Europeans and visitors from countries such as the United States and Canada will still be able to enter the UK without a visa.” And, the requirement will apply to all types of visitors, including, “those travelling to the UK for tourism, business, short-term education and medical reasons. The ETA system is intended to improve border control measures and optimize entry and exit processes in the United Kingdom as part of a broader “permission to travel” policy.

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, has previously stated that the new system will provide authorities with more accurate migration data. In short, the ETA UK will work by screening travellers before they arrive in the country, allowing potential security threats to be identified earlier. Currently, data on the number of people travelling to the United Kingdom and their countries of origin is based on surveys conducted at ports of entry, which do not provide accurate figures. And, while it may appear to be restrictive on the surface, the change appears to be beneficial for travellers, at least in terms of ease and convenience. You will be able to apply from home rather than visiting a UK Embassy, and the application form should only take a few minutes to complete. You’ll need to provide your valid passport information, some personal information, travel itinerary details, and a debit or credit card, as there will almost certainly be a fee. Because of technological marvels, applications will be processed automatically, with ETA officials intervening only when complex decision-making and reviews are required. The majority of people will receive their ETA UK authorization within 48 to 72 hours.

According to The Points Guy’s report, the British government also noted similarities between the upcoming ETA UK requirement and the United States’ existing Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and the European Union’s planned digital visa waiver programme European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), the release of which has been delayed until November 2023. The British Home Office has not specified a start date for the online process, and applications have not yet been accepted. The government of the United Kingdom has stated that the ETA system will be implemented in early 2023 and will be fully operational by the end of the year.