SAN FRANCISCO — Travelers from the United States and many other countries now have to apply before heading into Europe.
The change comes as the European Union’s new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is set to start later this year and as the United Kingdom’s now-required Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) went live Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The ETIAS system is set for 30 countries in Europe, not including the United Kingdom whose new application is separate.
These are technically travel visa waivers attached to a person’s passport, granting them permission into the country for a certain period of time. They are not needed if a person already has a proper travel visa.
The main difference now is travelers have to get this pre-travel authorization before coming into the country, when before they could just present their passport upon landing.
Who needs an ETA?
Anyone who doesn’t need a visa to travel into the UK will need this new document. Millions of people traveling from the United States, Canada and over 50 other countries will have to apply for these ETAs. Additional countries will be added after April.
Anyone wanting to visit for six or fewer months, are coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement or have a layover/are traveling elsewhere through the UK need the ETA. Even if you’re going to be in the country for mere hours, you need the new document.
Children and babies also need an ETA if the above points apply to them. Travelers can apply for ETAs on behalf of someone else as long as they have the needed materials outlined below.
How do I get an ETA visa waiver?
Travelers can apply for an ETA on an app or online if your phone cannot access the app. Applying through the official app takes roughly ten minutes and will get a faster decision, according to the UK government website.
The application costs £10, or roughly $12.36, and — if approved — lasts up to two years. Note you cannot stay in the UK for longer than six months at a time, and if you get a new passport you will have to reapply.
Atop the application fee, you will need photos of your passport and the face of the person applying, access to your emails and a digital payment method.
Officials say a decision will often return within three business days, but could be sooner or later for applicants. For those who need to get into the country as soon as possible, you must apply before arriving. You can travel to the UK while awaiting a decision so long as the application was completed before traveling, UK government website.
Why does the UK’s ETA exist?
Many countries, including the United States, have similar visa waivers to increase security and allow people who don’t need a full visa to travel. The United Kingdom Home Office says these visa waivers “will enable a more efficient customer experience” and will increase their “knowledge about those seeking to come to the UK and prevent the arrival of those who present a threat.”