WHO NEEDS IT?
HOW LONG IS IT VALID FOR?
HOW TO APPLY?
VALID FOR UP TO 2 YEARS
All non-United Kingdom nationals, except for Irish passport holders, are now required to gain permission before entering the United Kingdom. Access to the United Kingdom is now controlled by the ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORISATION PERMIT, which replaces the single-use‘ Electronic Visa Waiver’ scheme. The ETA entry scheme, which offers multi-entry validity for up to 2 years, is part of wider plans to digitise all United Kingdom borders fully.
NEW RULES FOR CYPRIOT PASSPORT HOLDERS
The ETA entry scheme sets entry suitability questions for all non-British passport holders wanting to enter the United Kingdom. International visitors, as a result, have to make an application online and pay up to €24 for a permit to enter the United Kingdom. Applications must also be made for all children. This includes small infants and babies.
DIGITALLY LINKED TO PASSPORTS
All applications have to be made digitally. This can be done using a smartphone app, as well as the internet. Each applicant needs a valid email address, an electronic means of payment, and a valid passport. Applicants are then asked a series of suitability questions and then receive a decision within three days. After verification, the ETA is digitally linked to each applicant’s passport. Any travellers who are transiting through the United Kingdom, but not crossing through border control, will also need a valid ETA. All travellers who fail to produce a valid ETA receive an on-the-spot fine.
KEY DETAILS OF THE SCHEME
Purpose: The ETA is a digital authorisation that is a requirement for entry into the United Kingdom. The ETA is not a Visa.
Who Needs It: All Nationals who currently do not need a visa for short stays in the United Kingdom.
Exceptions: British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA.
Cost: Each application will cost £20
Validity: Each ETA covers multiple visits for up to two years.
Scope: The ETA is valid for tourism, visiting family or friends, business, and short-term study in the United Kingdom.
TO SUMMERISE
All Cypriots, along with other European Union citizens, will need to obtain an ETA to travel to the United Kingdom.
The ETA does not guarantee entry to the United Kingdom and does not replace the current visa system.
It is expected that over 30 million travellers per year will need an ETA to enter the United Kingdom in the near future.
An ETA will provide the opportunity to visit the United Kingdom for a holiday, spend time with family and friends, and engage in activities permitted for tourists for up to 6 months.
An ETA does not permit the carrier to do paid or unpaid work in any form in the United Kingdom.
A holder of an ETA cannot claim any public funds, such as benefits or live in the United Kingdom through frequent or successive visits.
An ETA cannot be used to conduct a marriage or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership for its duration.
An online application for an ETA can be made by downloading an application form.
An original passport and a bank card are required to complete an online application for an ETA.
An ETA is usually processed within three working days and then emailed to the recipient.
Each ETA is issued for two years, but if the passport is replaced during this time, it will need to be renewed.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Why is the UK introducing the ETA scheme?
The ETA is part of the UK’s plan to digitise its borders at all UK ports of entry. The scheme is intended to reduce queues at borders by helping to speed up legitimate journeys to the UK.
How do I apply for an ETA?
An ETA can be applied for by filling out an online form. A valid passport, bank card, and email address are required. The ETA permit is then sent to the email address used for the application within three working days.
How much does the ETA cost?
The ETA costs £20 or the equivalent in local currency.
How long is the ETA valid for?
An ETA lasts for two years and can be used multiple times during this period.
How long can I stay in the UK?
The ETA is not a visa, but it does grant permission to enter the country. It allows applicants to stay in the United Kingdom for up to six months at a time. Valid reasons for visiting are tourism, visits to family and friends, business or short-term study.
Will I need a separate visa to enter the UK?
All visitors who currently do not have to apply for a visa will need to get an ETA before they travel. Travellers from countries that do not have visa-free entry agreements with the United Kingdom will still have to apply for the correct visa, as well as the ETA.
Who does not need an ETA?
British and Irish citizens and people who already have a visa or permission to live, work or study in the United Kingdom do not need an ETA. As well as these people, those travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport and people who live in Ireland and are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man do not need to apply for an ETA.
A PRICE HIKE AFTER JUST 6 MONTHS
ERODING THE APPEAL OF A QUICK CITY BREAK
The price of the Electronic Travel Authorisation has already climbed from £16 to £20. This comes just 6 months after its introduction. Although the increase appears modest, it does matter for volume traffic. This includes short-haul European tourists and multinational teams that transit via London hubs. The extra charge is also thought to have helped erode the appeal of quick city breaks to the United Kingdom, which once relied on low-cost flights and friction-free entry.
AN EFFECT ON BUSINESS TRAVEL
The increase will also raise the cost of doing cross-border business. Staff from eligible countries, notably the United States, Australia, and much of Europe, frequently make multiple trips to the United Kingdom each year. While £20 remains cheaper than a standard visit visa, business travellers have stated that the need to apply at least 72 hours before departure to avoid boarding refusals has caused some logistical nightmares.
