A new electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system commences for visitors arriving in the United Kingdom from numerous countries, including the United States and Australia, starting on Wednesday. The government asserts this digital system will enhance the nation’s immigration processes.
However, a significant complication has arisen for individuals holding dual nationality. These citizens have been compelled to expedite applications for UK passports to comply with the newly implemented travel regulations.
What is an ETA and Who Requires One?
The updated regulations extend to individuals from eighty-five distinct nations. An approved ETA grants permission for stays in the UK up to a period of six months. This authorisation remains valid for two years, or until the expiry of the accompanying passport, and permits multiple entries into the United Kingdom.
Eligible visits encompass a range of purposes, such as tourism, business engagements, or short-term educational pursuits. The system also applies to individuals traversing the UK as part of a broader journey. Notably, passengers transiting through UK airports who do not pass through border security are exempt from requiring an ETA.
For longer stays or visits intended for work or extended study, a visa remains a necessity. Furthermore, individuals who traditionally require a visa for UK travel will continue to do so. They are not required to obtain an ETA in addition to their visa.
British and Irish citizens are exempt from ETA and visa requirements for entering or transiting through the UK. Certain other categories of individuals, such as those with settled status or children participating in school excursions from France, are also among the exceptions.
The scheme was initially introduced in October 2023. The government has indicated that enforcement was “not strictly enforced to give visitors ample time to adjust to the new requirement,” allowing a grace period for adaptation.
By streamlining and accelerating the immigration process, the government anticipates that ETAs will contribute to a more secure border system.
Acquiring an ETA: Procedure and Costs
The current fee for an ETA application is £16. The government has announced intentions to raise this fee to £20 in the future.
Applicants must furnish their contact information and definitive passport details. Providing a suitable photograph and answering a series of specific questions are also mandatory steps in the application process. It is imperative to use the same passport for travel that was declared during the ETA application.
The government suggests that the majority of applicants will receive an immediate response through the ETA application, often within minutes. Nevertheless, it strongly advises prospective travellers to submit their applications a minimum of three working days prior to their scheduled departure.
Should an ETA application be unsuccessful, the applicant will be informed of the rejection reasons and granted the opportunity to reapply. However, if an application is definitively refused, an appeal is not an option; the individual must then proceed with applying for a visa to visit the UK.
Enforcement Mechanisms for the New Rules
Upon check-in for their journey, travellers may be prevented from boarding if they cannot present a valid ETA. Airlines, ferry operators, and rail companies have been equipped by the UK government with systems designed for automated digital verification of travel permissions in collaboration with the Home Office.
An ETA is directly linked to a traveller’s passport electronically, thus negating the need for a physical document at the border. Despite this, the government still recommends keeping a printed copy for personal record-keeping.
While an ETA officially grants permission to visit the UK, it does not automatically confer the right of entry. Consequently, all travellers will still be required to pass through standard passport control procedures.
Even with a valid ETA, individuals could still be denied entry at the border if any issues arise during passport control.
Challenges for Dual Nationals Under the New System
Individuals who hold citizenship in both the UK and another country, referred to as dual nationals, are ineligible to obtain an ETA. To enter the UK, they must present either a valid British passport or a newly introduced digital version of the certificate of entitlement linked to their non-British passport.
Failure to produce one of these required documents could result in being denied the right to return to the UK. Importantly, neither British passports nor certificates of entitlement are automatically issued upon acquiring citizenship. This has led some dual nationals, even those with long-standing ties to the UK, to never have formally applied for these documents.
Both a British passport and a certificate of entitlement require several weeks for processing and involve associated costs. An adult British passport is priced at approximately £100, while the certificate of entitlement carries a fee of £589.
Previously, dual nationals could depart from and re-enter the UK using their non-British passport without complication.
Several British citizens with dual nationality have reported to the BBC their difficulties in securing a British passport to meet these new requirements. Some travellers have found themselves abroad since the announcement of the regulatory changes, expressing concern that they have not had adequate time to adapt.
A spokesperson for the Home Office stated to the BBC that public advisories instructing dual nationals to carry appropriate documentation have been available since October 2024. A comprehensive communication campaign regarding the introduction of the ETA has been ongoing since 2023.
ETA Systems in Other Countries
The concept of an ETA is not novel, as countries like Canada and the United States already employ similar systems. The associated costs for these international ETA programs can vary.