Like other countries, the UK has an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa waiver – a form of electronic travel authorisation – to permit eligible citizens to travel to the UK for ‘purposes of tourism, business, medical treatment, or to study’.
First implemented in 2014 by the British government in order to accelerate the process of obtaining travel authorisation for the UK and eliminate the need to apply in person at an embassy or consulate, the UK electronic travel authorisation is currently available to citizens of four Middle Eastern countries – namely Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
However, from next year, it’s anticipated that European Union citizens, who do not currently need a visa for the United Kingdom, will also need to apply for an ETA to visit the UK, once EU freedom of movement ends as at the termination of the Brexit transition period.
In December 2019, the Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the proposal of a new US-style visa waiver system for EU citizens after Brexit has been completed.
The new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system would require EU visitors to apply for an electronic visa waiver before entering into the UK.
Patel suggested that new rules would help the country improve its border security, claiming that the current arrangement with the EU was limiting the UK’s border capability.
What will happen after Brexit?
The finalisation of the deal between Brussels and Westminster hasn’t happened yet, as trade talks go down to the wire, so it won’t be clear until January 1 2021 exactly what the new rules are – and if the controversial US-style waiver system, which was criticised by both parliamentarians and various experts at the time, will be rolled out.
Presently, EU citizens are able to travel to the UK with just a national ID card or a valid passport. This, though, is due to change after Brexit if Patel’s new rules are finalised and implemented.
If that is the case, citizens of EU and EEC countries would be required to apply for an electronic visa waiver up to three days before travelling to the UK for short trips, while also having to gain appropriate security clearance and pay an administration fee.
What’s more, EU citizens would no longer be able to travel on an ID card alone, and would need their full passport, along with holding a valid visa waiver.
It’s expected the system will work in a similar way to the ‘US ESTA visa waiver’, in play since 2010 and allowing visitors from around the world to enter the US once they have obtained online authorisation from US homeland security before travel. Additionally, it allows for multiple trips for up to 90 days over a two-year period.
While more cumbersome than free movement, online travel authorisation systems are very different from visas, with the waivers being much quicker and simpler to apply for and negating the need for a trip to an embassy.
Byevisa specialises in ETAs and ETIAS for global travel, and can work with people to understand which visa they need and how to apply for it.
What does a UK ETA visa provide?
An approved UK ETA online visa is ‘a single entry travel authorisation’ that enables the holder to enter the UK for a stay of up to six months, with eligible citizens able to apply for a UK eVisa through a simple online UK visa application.
This only takes a few minutes to fill in and includes basic passport, travel and personal information. What’s more, applicants are required to answer a few security questions to submit the online form and receive an approved ETA for the UK sent by email.
If someone wants to visit the UK for reasons other than those allowed under the UK tourist eVisa, or wants to stay for a longer period, they must contact the nearest UK consulate or embassy for more info and guidance.
Those applying for a ETA visa will need a biometric passport, a valid email address, the ability to pay the mandatory visa fee by credit or debit card and their travel details – for example the address of their accommodation, and their dates of arrival and departure.
Once an application has been approved, a copy of the ETA must be printed off and presented upon arrival to a British border control official, alongside a valid passport, to secure entry into the UK.
The ETA holder is advised to make sure they use the same passport to travel to the UK that they used to complete their application online, as it’s vital that the details of the passport match up to those on the approved ETA.
There could be further UK immigration requirements for the electronic authorisation after the ETA is expanded to other nationalities.
What about UK citizens visiting Europe?
Things will change for British citizens visiting Europe post-Brexit, too, although it’s not expected that Brits will need a visa to visit EU countries. It is expected that the EU will launch its own ETIAS visa waiver towards the end of 2022 for third-country nationals visiting the Schengen area, which is likely to become a requirement for UK passport holders as well.
A UK passport holder with ETIAS will be allowed to visit all 26 Schengen countries for a period of up to 90 days at a time - visitors will need to register online by filling in their identifying information and indicating their travel plans. They will also need to submit details on supporting documentation (for example a passport) and, lastly, pay a fee.
As well as the need to obtain an ETIAS travel authorisation from the end of 2022, UK citizens could also be subject to further requirements when going to Europe from 2022, including rules around passport validity and issue date, driving in EU countries, going to EU countries with a pet, coverage for medical care and mobile roaming charges.
If and when the ETA for EU citizens goes live, it’s expected that landlords from the EU who wish to visit the UK to check their properties or buy new ones will need to obtain the visa waiver first.
The current Brexit talks are deadlocked yet again, so it’s unlikely we will know for certain until a deal has been announced or the transition period has expired. If there is a no-deal Brexit, it seems likely that there will be some kind of ETA system implemented, whereas a more bespoke arrangement could still be arranged if a deal is reached.
