All visitors to the UK who previously did not need a visa to visit for six months or less, will now have to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel. The ETA is not a visa, it is a digital permission to travel. This will also extend to European passport holders on 2 April but does not apply to Irish nationals.
WHO DOES THIS AFFECT?
Visitors from the following countries will have to apply for an ETA: USA, St Vincent, St Lucia, Guyana, Grenada, Belize. A full list of countries can be found by searching ‘ETA’ at gov.uk. Visitors from visa national countries will have to carry on applying for a visa in advance of travel.
HOW DO WE APPLY AND WHAT IS THE COST?
You can download the ETA app or apply through gov.uk if you don’t have a smartphone. Most people will receive a decision within three days. The cost is £10.
DO I HAVE TO APPLY FOR ONE EACH TIME I VISIT THE UK?
No – the ETA permits multiple journeys and lasts for two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever is sooner. Once granted, ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and allow for stays of up to six months at a time. Normal visitor rules will need to be adhered to.
WHAT IF I ALREADY HAVE A SPOUSE VISA?
Partners/children from non-visa national countries who have a visa which was issued for more than six months are not required to apply for an ETA. They can continue to enter the UK using their eVisa.
WHAT IF I WANT TO REMAIN IN THE UK FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS?
If you wish to enter the UK and remain here with your partner, you will need to apply for a partner visa before entering the UK. Lydia said: “Applying for the ETA was a very simple process. There were step-by-step instructions on the government website and the app which were easy to follow. “We applied for my daughter’s ETA using the government website because she was not physically here. “I applied for mine using the app and that was a breeze as well. We both got our applications approved within an hour of submitting them.”
For more information – aff.org.uk/advice/foreign-commonwealth