The ETA will first be a requirement for Qatari visitors, followed by Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan from February. The Home Office said the scheme “will strengthen security at the border and improve travel for visitors to the UK”.
The scheme’s introduction comes after the European Union laid out plans for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) for UK visitors following Brexit, which will be introduced in 2024, costing €7.
The US also requires a similar Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for all UK visitors costing $21.
The Home Office said: “The cost of an ETA will be in line with similar international schemes, and individuals can make multiple visits to the UK over a two-year validity period.
“The scheme will also further strengthen our border, by ensuring robust security checks are conducted on every visitor pre-travel.”
As part of the application process, individuals will need to provide biometric details and answer a set of “suitability questions”.
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said: “Strengthening our border remains one of the government’s top priorities.
“ETAs will enhance our border security by increasing our knowledge about those seeking to come to the UK and preventing the arrival of those who pose a threat.
“It will also improve travel for legitimate visitors, with those visiting from Gulf Cooperation Council states being among the first to benefit.”
The new scheme will replace the current Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) Scheme which requires visitors to the UK from Gulf states to pay a higher cost for a single-use visit.
The Home Office said: “Visitors from Europe, and other nations such as America and Australia do not currently need to make any form of application to visit to the UK, however this will be changing with the introduction of ETAs.”
British and Irish nationals will not need an ETA to travel to the UK. As is currently the case, individuals arriving in the UK via Ireland will still be subject to UK immigration requirements, including the need to have an ETA.
Those legally resident in Ireland will not need an ETA when travelling to the UK from within the Common Travel Area.
Joss Croft, UKinbound chief executive, said: “We understand the government’s reasons behind implementing a new Electronic Travel Authorisation for visitors to the UK although of course any additional bureaucracy will potentially present another barrier to coming here.
“What the industry and potential customers need right now though is to know how much it will cost, how far in advance visitors will be able to apply and if the application form will be available in languages other than English.
“Visitors to the UK are already some of the most taxed in the world and the UK must remain competitive. We will continue to work closely with the Home Office to ensure our members and the wider industry fully understand the implications of this new initiative.”
