Travellers from Multiple Nations Face New Entry Fee to the UK: What You Need to Know!
2025-01-08
Author: Sarah
HEATHROW:
Starting January 8, visitors from a range of countries, including Singapore, Japan, the United States, and Canada, are now required to pay an entry fee to the UK due to the implementation of a new visa-waiver system known as the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
This new system is akin to the US ESTA and necessitates that visitors who would typically not need a visa must now secure pre-travel authorization before their journey. The ETA costs £10 (approximately US$12.50) and is valid for stays of up to six months within a two-year period. Initially launched in 2023 for Qatar, the scheme has since been expanded to include citizens from around 50 additional countries, spanning continents from South America to Oceania.
Eligible travellers, including those from Argentina, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, will have been able to apply for the ETA since last November. As the UK tightens its border security measures, the government plans to extend the ETA requirement to dozens of EU and European nations on April 2, 2024. For those eligible, applications will be available through a convenient mobile app starting March 5.
With approximately six million individuals from the United States, Canada, and Australia visiting Britain every year, the impact of this change could be significant. Notably, the ETA requirement applies even to those merely transiting through the UK for onward flights, including infants and children.
Feedback from travellers has been mixed. Naila Hadi, a US visitor in her fifties, described her experience as 'easy,' emphasizing the straightforwardness of applying via smartphone, which allowed for rapid processing of her approval. However, some concerns have been raised regarding potential impacts on tourism, particularly in Northern Ireland.
Conor Murphy, the Northern Ireland economy minister, warned that the ETA’s financial burden could drastically affect tourism, especially since it does not apply to visitors from the Republic of Ireland. He has called for a special exemption for tourists visiting Northern Ireland for a short duration.
Heathrow Airport officials have also voiced concerns that the new entry requirements may reduce passenger traffic and hinder the UK’s competitiveness in the global tourism market. It's essential to note that the ETA system does not affect British and Irish citizens or others from British overseas territories, nor does it alter the existing conditions for those who need a visa to visit the UK, such as travellers from China and South Africa.
In a related development, the European Union is set to launch an ETIAS system for visa-exempt travellers to 30 European countries later this year, with a similar fee structure of €7 (approximately US$7.40), which is expected to further change the landscape for international travel in and out of Europe.
As travel regulations continue to evolve, it is crucial for prospective visitors to stay informed about entry requirements to avoid unexpected costs and complications on their journeys!