What is the new system for entering the UK without a visa?

The UK’s ETA scheme is currently active, but is only applicable to visitors from Qatar at this time.

The government has stated that this is a new necessity for individuals who do not require a visa to enter the UK. This requirement will also apply to those who are in transit at Heathrow Airport for a total of two hours during their international flights.

As of November 15, Qatar residents are required to have one. However, starting February 22, 2024, individuals holding passports from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE will also need one in order to enter the UK.

The government states that by 2024, ETAs will be mandatory for all non-visa visitors staying short-term globally.

The UK’s immigration minister, Robert Jenrick, states that the use of ETAs will bolster border security by providing more information about individuals seeking entry and preventing the arrival of potential threats. Additionally, this system will also make travel easier for genuine visitors.

The price of an ETA will offer exceptional value in comparison to other international programs. This slight increase in cost for visitors will help strengthen the security of the UK border and ensure the safety of our communities.

British travelers will not be directly affected. However, experts in the travel industry argue that the regulations related to the ETA will put UK airlines and tourism at a disadvantage, especially in Northern Ireland.

These are the main inquiries and responses.

The majority of visitors to the UK are not required to go through the complicated and costly process of obtaining a British visa. They can simply arrive with their passport and request entry.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation, a newly implemented online permit, will soon be required for all foreign visitors to the UK who do not require a traditional visa, with the exception of Irish citizens. This requirement will be in effect by the end of 2024.

The estimated time of arrival is based on the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (Esta) and is connected to the traveler’s passport. It is not applicable for citizens of the UK and Ireland. The fee is £10. The permit can be used for multiple trips within two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

On November 15, 2023, the implementation started for Qatari citizens who are traveling to or through the UK. The traveler’s nationality is what matters, not their point of origin.

The program’s reach will expand to include citizens from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE on February 22, 2024. This will be followed by a global release by the end of next year.

You can access the UK ETA application through a government website or by downloading the app from the Apple app store or Google Play.

To complete the process, you must provide a photo and respond to a series of inquiries. According to the government, this measure is necessary to obtain information about those who wish to enter the UK, thereby aiding in the prevention of dangerous individuals, including criminals, from entering the country.

Typically, a determination is reached for each instance within three days. However, in reality, comparable systems in the US, Canada, and other countries tend to provide faster approval.

There are already commercial websites, like etauk.uk, operating from Spain, that entice applicants to pay extra fees.

Ferries departing from France to Dover, Eurostar trains headed to London, and Eurotunnel shuttles traveling to Folkestone all have “juxtaposed controls.” This means that UK Border Force officers will inspect the permit while the traveler is still in Continental Europe.

The majority of travelers will need to have their ETA status confirmed by airlines and ferry companies before departing for the UK.

Upon arrival, the UK Border Force will examine the ETA and inquire about additional details before determining whether or not to grant entry to the traveler. The government states, “An ETA does not ensure entry into the UK.”

Travellers from the Republic of Ireland who are not Irish or British will not be subject to checks when traveling to Northern Ireland, but are still expected to have an ETA.

The government of the UK has chosen to stand out by requiring all connecting travelers to have an ETA. As a result, London Heathrow airport will become a more difficult transit hub compared to other major airports in Europe, as well as those in Istanbul and Dubai.

The general practice across most countries is that travelers who are transferring from one gate to another at a central location – without going through passport clearance – only need to fulfill the requirements for their end destination.

However, once the ETA scheme is fully implemented, all passengers, except for British and Irish citizens, will require a permit. This includes those who are transferring between British Airways flights at Heathrow Terminal 5 or making a Star Alliance connection at Terminal 2.

Experts in the travel industry believe that international travelers who have the option to choose their routes will opt for alternative hubs in order to avoid additional bureaucracy and expenses. This could potentially have a negative impact on Heathrow airport and result in a decrease in customers for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Approximately 33% of travelers at Heathrow are passing through.

According to Rob Burgess, the editor of Head for Points, it doesn’t make sense to pay £40 for an ETA just to transit through the UK on a trip from the US to Croatia for a family of four. He believes that other major European airlines will benefit from this decision.

According to Paul Charles, who previously served as the communications director for Virgin Atlantic and is now a director at The PC Agency, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic heavily depend on transit passengers to fill their long-haul flights, generate profits, and create job opportunities. Implementing a tax on transit will likely deter tens of thousands of individuals who may opt for a more convenient hub instead.

A representative from the Home Office states that our government’s primary focus is on fortifying our borders. The implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) program will bolster our border protection by improving our understanding of individuals attempting to enter the UK and preventing the entry of those who may pose a risk, such as those passing through the UK.

Making transit passengers obtain an ETA will prevent transit from being exploited as a loophole in the future for those trying to avoid obtaining an ETA.

The government officials have announced that the ETA will be similar to the Esta, which is mandatory for connecting passengers passing through American airports.

A vital distinction exists: every traveler passing through the US must go through Customs & Border Protection and be lawfully authorized to enter the country. In theory, they have the option to choose to stay in the US for a maximum of three months instead of transferring at Atlanta, Chicago, or Houston.

This policy is not valid for international flights connecting at Heathrow (or any other airport in Europe). The UK Border Force will not inspect passengers upon arrival at Heathrow if they are continuing their journey to an international destination.

Additionally, only a small number of airports in the United States depend on transit passengers for business to the extent that Heathrow does.

The government’s decision could not only have negative financial consequences for airlines and Heathrow airport, but it may also affect British passengers. Many flight routes and frequencies are only feasible because of the high number of connecting passengers. If these services are reduced, there will be fewer options for travelers and ticket prices may increase.

According to a representative from the airport, Heathrow is a dominant hub and the biggest airport in Europe. Passengers in transit are crucial for maintaining routes to numerous long-distance locations, which enhances trade, tourism, and investment prospects.

The government needs to make sure that visa and border policies do not create any disadvantages for the UK.

The UK has implemented a requirement for passports rather than national ID cards for entry, affecting over 200 million EU citizens, which could potentially harm the inbound tourism industry in Northern Ireland. Introducing an ETA would create an additional obstacle.

There is a particular focus on Northern Ireland. Most people who visit Ireland will usually arrive in Dublin or, for some American tourists, Shannon. They enter the Republic and usually get around by driving, using public transportation, or taking a tour bus.

Currently, individuals are able to travel to Northern Ireland without any formalities in order to experience popular destinations such as Titanic Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway, or the Game of Thrones studio tour. However, starting in 2024, an ETA will be mandatory for all visitors crossing the (barely noticeable) border.

Individual travelers may unknowingly violate the law by crossing the border without realizing they are doing so.

Tour operators must comply with regulations and ensure that each passenger on the bus has an ETA. Alternatively, the tour company could choose to exclude Northern Ireland from their Irish itineraries.

Currently, 60% of international visitors to Northern Ireland also travel to the Republic, according to the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance. The group believes that the proposed plan will have a negative impact on tourism across the entire island. They estimate that there could be a 25% decrease in visitors from Europe and North America. The group warns that this could lead to exclusion of Belfast and Northern Ireland from global tour operators’ itineraries as it would no longer be a viable option.

The London government has officially stated that tourists on the island of Ireland will not receive any special exemptions.

Steve Baker, the minister for Northern Ireland, stated that the government’s stance is against creating a loophole in the ETA scheme.

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“I am optimistic that we can collaborate to establish a cohesive and effective communication plan, in order to inform tourists about the necessity of registering for an ETA and complying with the UK’s immigration regulations.”

Source: independent.co.uk