US travelers to the UK may soon be required to pay a fee
US travelers will soon need to obtain permission prior to their United Kingdom trips and pay an entry fee as part of the nation’s forthcoming Electronic Travel Authorization scheme.
The ETA scheme is intended to ensure the security of borders
for U.K.’s borders by providing more accurate information on those who travel through according to an U.K. official for the British Consulate General. This move forms part of U.K.’s strategy to completely digitize its borders by 2025. “The scheme will provide to the U.K. more control of our borders which will enable us to prevent dangers to enter in the U.K., whilst also providing travelers, as well as individuals with more certainty at a much earlier time about their capacity in traveling to U.K.,” according to the U.K. government website.
The program is scheduled to be fully operational
before the end of 2023 the “permission for travel” requirement is applicable to all travelers. Who are visiting or transiting through within the U.K. without a visa or special immigration status . Which includes visa-free nationalities such as that of the United States. But, the permission to travel via this ETA is not a normal visa. The procedure for applying to apply for ETA is online and can be completed within a couple of minutes. The applicant must ensure that they complete the application “a couple of days prior to (their) departure date. To in the U.K.” To be able to apply applicants must have an original passport. Valid travel information and an email address that is valid as well as a debit or credit card to pay online.
The usual time frame to approve your application will range between 48 to 72 hours. Incorrect information in your application may delay processing or cause the rejection. Once you’ve been approved, you’ll permitted to stay within The U.K. for business or travel reasons for up six months. Medical treatment and short-term studies are also legitimate reasons to get an ETA.
Read More: MIDSECTION OF THE USA IS HIT BY WAVES OF STORMS AND BITTER COLD
