The UK Government have announced that it is set to introduce its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme in October 2023.
This scheme is aimed towards inbound visitors to the UK and will first be a requirement for Qatari Visitors. Before then being introduced for inbound visitors from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates, and Jordan from February 2024.
The introduction of the UK’s ETA scheme follows after the EU laid out plans for UK Visitors to require European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) following Brexit.
These ETIAS are set to be introduced for UK travellers in 2024, costing €7.
In regards to ETAs, The UK’s Home Office stated that the scheme “will strengthen security at the border and improve travel for visitors to the UK.”
The Home Office added, “The cost of an ETA will be in line with similar international schemes, and individuals can make multiple visits to the UK over a two-year validity period.”
ETAS are not required for British and Irish nationals who are travelling to the UK. Legal Residents in Ireland are also not required to complete an ETA when travelling to the UK from within the Common Travel Area.
The Home Office further stated, “Visitors from Europe, and other nations such as America and Australia do not currently need to make any form of application to visit to the UK, however this will be changing with the introduction of ETAs.”
