New UK- EU Travel Requirements

 

To strengthen border security, and to identify overstayers, both the UK and European Union/EEA countries are launching digital pre-travel permissions for visa-exempt short trips, including business travel.

UK Scheme:

The UK launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme for nationals of six specific countries earlier this year. It is for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays to the UK, or who do not already have a UK immigration status prior to travelling.

For trips from 8 January 2025, the scheme will be extended to nationals from a further 49 countries among which are Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Israel, Japan, and the United States. The full list is: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-get-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta . Applications are open from 27 November 2024.

For UK trips from 2 April 2025, all EU member states’ nationals, plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Monaco, Vatican City, and Andorra nationals will need an ETA before travel. They can apply from 5 March 2025.

The ETA costs £10, permits multiple journeys and is valid for two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. When a new passport is issued, a new ETA application needs to be made.

The application is made through the ‘UK ETA app’ https://apps.apple.com/us/app/uk-eta/id6444912481 or via the GOV.UK website ‘Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation to come to the UK’ https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/how-to-apply

The application process includes providing contact and passport details and a valid photo, answering a set of questions about immigration history and criminality grounds and payment of the fee. The Home Office will then carry out background checks. Approval should not take more than 3 working days. If the ETA is refused, the individual can make a visa application to gain permission to enter the UK.

EU Scheme:

The EU is planning a similar scheme, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), expected to start in mid-2025. It will apply to nationals of non-EU countries, including British nationals who at present can travel visa – exempt. Please see here the list of countries: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/who-should-apply_en.

In addition, an Entry/Exit System (EES) will be introduced by the end of this year. The EES is an electronic tracking system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries. It is applicable to non-EU nationals, travellers not holding the nationality of any EU country or the nationality of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. ‘Short stay’ means up to 90 days within any 180-day period. In respect of travel to Ireland, the scheme does not count time spent by British nationals in Ireland; they may spend as much time as they like in Ireland. In Cyprus and Ireland, despite being countries of the EU, passports will be stamped manually.

 

For further information, please contact:

Isabel Sylvestre, Lawyer

ebl miller rosenfalck, London

e: isabel.sylvestre@ebl-mr.com

t:  +44 (0)7385 943 456

 

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