A NEW $21 airport surcharge is now in place for American travelers flying to a popular destination.
It’s due to the introduction of an electronic permit – which is mandatory from today for visitors.
Visitors to Britain from 85 countries must now obtain an electronic permit in advance of their trip.
This includes those taking flights, or booked on cruises, coaches and even rail journeys.
Those failing to do so will be barred from traveling, the UK interior ministry warned.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme requires all visitors who do not need a visa to enter Britain to buy a pre-travel permit online at a cost of $21.57.
The scheme was introduced three years ago, and extended to European visitors last April, but has not been strictly enforced – until today.
Airlines will stop passengers from boarding flights if they do not have an ETA, eVisa or other valid documentation, the interior ministry also warned.
The UK is trying to beef up border security checks.
It’s following the likes of Canada, the US, and other countries which already use the system.
What is the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme?
An ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK
It is not a visa or a tax and does not permit entry into the UK – it merely allows a person to travel to the UK.
Visitors can find more information about applying for an ETA on Gov.uk
It lets you travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons for up to six months.
It currently costs Americans $21.57 to obtain one.
Those without an ETA will be banned from boarding their flight, ferry, coach or train for travel to the UK.
An ETA lasts for two years and is linked to your passport.
If your passport has expired or changed, you’ll need to apply for a new ETA.
EXEMPTIONS:
There are some people who do not need an ETA, for example if you have:
- A current British or Irish passport
- Permission to live, work or study in the UK
“The ETA scheme is a vital part of our work to strengthen the UK’s border security,” said migration minister Mike Tapp.
It will “help to deliver a more efficient and modern service that works for both visitors and the British public,” he added.
An ETA lets you travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons for up to six months.
Visitors will usually need an ETA rather than a visa if they’re traveling from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries.
Each person traveling needs an ETA, including babies and children.
It covers visits for tourism, business or short-term study.
“We are making improvements to deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year,” said the Home Office.
“Visitors without an ETA will not be able to board their transport and cannot travel to the UK, unless exempt.
“Eligible visitors who take connecting flights (transiting) and go through UK passport control need an ETA.
“Those transiting through Heathrow and Manchester airports who do not go through UK passport control do not currently need an ETA.”
Flyers have complained the new system’s introduction has already caused delays at some airports.
Plus, there are fears it’ll muck up schedules when traveling to the UK over Easter, as it can take several days for requests to be processed.
British citizens with a second nationality risk being blocked from entering the UK as a result of the new rule, the Home Office has confirmed to British newspaper The Guardian.
There are already plans to hike the price of the ETA to $27 at an unspecified future date.
How and when to apply for the UK’s ETA
Avoid websites that imitate the UK government services as they might charge more to apply
HOW TO APPLY:
You can apply for the ETA online or through the UK ETA app.
The app is available for iPhone and Android phones.
Download the UK ETA app via:
You’ll need:
- The passport you’ll travel with
- An email address
- A credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
- When you apply, you’ll need to upload or take photos of the face of the person applying
It should only take ten minutes to apply on the official app.
- Take or upload a photo of the passport you will use to travel to the UK
- Scan your face with your device, if it has a camera. Children aged nine and under will not be asked to scan their face
- Take or upload a photo of yourself
- Answer a set of suitability and criminality questions about yourself
- Pay for your application ($21.57 for those traveling from the U.S.)
WHEN TO APPLY:
It is recommended that people apply for an ETA at least three working days in advance of travel to the UK.
FRAUDULENT WEBSITES:
People can verify if they hold a valid ETA status using the official Check My ETA service on Gov.uk