Europeans planning to visit the UK from April can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from today.
All Europeans who don’t need a visa to enter the UK will need an ETA to travel to the UK from Wednesday 2 April.
The expansion follows the rollout of ETA to all eligible non-European visitors last year, including those from the US, Canada and Australia.
Almost 1.1 million visitors have been issued with an ETA so far.
Applications can be made via the UK ETA app, with most issued ‘within minutes’, according to the Home Office, which insists ‘spontaneous trips to the UK should still be possible’.
However, it recommends visitors allow up to three working days in case their application needs to be reviewed.
Prospective visitors can also apply on GOV.UK if they do not have access to a smartphone.
Applicants provide their biographic and biometric details and answer questions on suitability and criminality. Once an applicant has successfully applied, their ETA is digitally linked to their passport.
An ETA currently costs £10, but the Home Office has announced this will increase to £16, subject to a Parliamentary review.
An ETA and allows multiple visits to the UK of up to six months over a two-year period, or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.
British and Irish citizens don’t need an ETA.
