The United Kingdom has officially rolled out its compulsory Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) programme for foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries.
The new digital immigration system, which becomes fully operational this week, requires travellers from dozens of designated countries around the world to obtain electronic approval before boarding flights, trains, or sea transport heading to the UK.
According to officials from the Home Office, the ETA programme has been introduced to strengthen border security, modernise the country’s immigration process, and speed up passenger clearance at passport control checkpoints, the BBC reports.
Although the system was first launched in October 2023 as part of a phased introduction, UK border authorities have now moved to full enforcement, making compliance mandatory for eligible travellers.
How does the new British digital permit operate?
The ETA functions as a digital authorisation linked directly to a traveller’s passport, eliminating the need to carry printed approval documents during immigration checks.
Key features of the system include:
- An initial application processing fee of £16, with planned statutory increases to £20.
- A validity period of up to two years, or until the traveller’s passport expires.
- Multiple-entry access, allowing visits of up to six months for each trip.
- Eligibility for leisure tourism, business engagements, and short-term study programmes.
The Home Office advises intending visitors to submit their ETA applications through the official mobile app at least three working days before their planned departure.
Although many requests are processed automatically and approved within minutes, applicants whose requests are refused have no right of appeal and must instead apply for a standard visitor visa.
Travellers merely passing through UK airports without crossing border control remain exempt from the ETA requirement.
Why are dual nationals facing travel complications?
The transition to full enforcement has created administrative challenges for people who hold both British citizenship and the passport of another country.
Under the revised regulations, dual nationals are not permitted to apply for an ETA.
Instead, they must travel with either a valid British passport or a Certificate of Entitlement attached to their foreign passport before they can return to the UK.
Obtaining either document has resulted in processing delays and additional financial pressure, with an adult British passport costing about £100, while a Certificate of Entitlement is priced at £589.
Many dual citizens living overseas have voiced frustration over the limited time available to adjust to the new rules, pointing out that transport operators can immediately refuse them boarding if they attempt to travel using only their non-British passport.
Which 85 countries are affected by the rules?
The ETA requirement applies to short-term visitors from 85 countries and autonomous territories that previously benefited from visa-free entry into the United Kingdom.
The affected countries and territories are:
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- The Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Belize
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Hong Kong SAR
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao SAR
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Oman
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vatican City.
