European visitors to Britain will have to purchase an electronic permit in advance for trips from Wednesday, as the UK government follows other countries in seeking to strengthen immigration security by screening people before they cross its borders.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme requires all visitors who do not need a visa to enter Britain to purchase pre-travel authorisation online
The ETA costs £10 (€12) and is valid for two years for stays of up to six months at a time. On April 9 the cost is going up to £16
Irish citizens are excluded.
The measures come as the UK government follows other countries in seeking to strengthen immigration security by screening people before they cross its borders.
The UK government said most applications are approved within minutes, so travellers can still make last-minute arrangements at the port, airport or train station. However, it advises people to allow three working days in case their application needs to be reviewed.
“You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can travel to the UK while waiting for a decision,” the government website says.
All passengers, including babies, will need to apply for an ETA. The permit is valid for two years or until the holder’s passport expires.
There is no limit on how many trips people can make to the UK with a valid ETA, but they will need a visa to stay for longer than six months.
