UK rolling out Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

[kpc]

Lucky I have been to UK many times in the past...with the plunging AUD vs GBP, I have no desire to rush back anytime soon.

 

[mel-world]

My cruise operator - Viking - has written to us already about the ETA, given we depart the UK but not til June. They are being pro-active.

 

[cove]

We used the UK ETA app this afternoon and our approval came thru one minute after we lodged the application.

 

[DC3]

Today Mrscove started on the new 6 month visa for the UK.
It didn’t go too well so she will be phoning them tomorrow ..

We used the UK ETA app this afternoon and our approval came thru one minute after we lodged the application.

No issues in the end?

 

[cove]

All good for us arriving at Heathrow on 13th January with papers that run for 2 years. It cost about $20 each.

 

[VPS]

All good for us arriving at Heathrow on 13th January with papers that run for 2 years. It cost about $20 each.

I'm not making assumptions here but I have a feeling you said you were over 70 (I may be wrong) so I guess that disproves the discussion that it is free for over 70s - if I am age shaming you I apologise

 

[cove]

Yes @VPS we are both over 70 and we have an apartment in Canary Wharf that the Brits call a flat. It will be pretty cool weather wise in January. We use Carrot Cars to pick us up and the drive from Heathrow takes more than an hour. We use the Elizabeth Line if we are not travelling with lots of luggage.
Now the cost is similar to the US ESTA.

 

[SYD]

Yes @VPS we are both over 70 and we have an apartment in Canary Wharf that the Brits call a flat. It will be pretty cool weather wise in January. We use Carrot Cars to pick us up and the drive from Heathrow takes more than an hour. We use the Elizabeth Line if we are not travelling with lots of luggage.
Now the cost is similar to the US ESTA.

But there’s discussion up thread that 70+ is free (but still need to apply)?

 

[cove]

We did not see an over 70 free application in the APP. Flying without a Visa is not something we would do as the cost is only about $20 per person. Getting rejected entry after a longhaul flight would be awful.

 

[OATEK]

Nothing from Emirates yet (not flying until early May 25) but Smartraveller is putting out the message:

From 8 January, Australians visiting the UK who don't need a visa for short stays or who don't have any other UK immigration status, will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to or transit through the UK (see 'Travel').

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We did not see an over 70 free application in the APP. Flying without a Visa is not something we would do as the cost is only about $20 per person. Getting rejected entry after a longhaul flight would be awful.

Not so bad…you wouldn’t be rejected after a long haul flight… you wouldn’t be allowed to board in the first place!

I was looking for information today on the EU eta or whatever it is… it says over 70 is exempt from paying the €7 fee. Maybe the confusion arose cause people assumed the UK had copied the EU on that one.

 

[RB001]

I was looking for information today on the EU eta or whatever it is… it says over 70 is exempt from paying the €7 fee. Maybe the confusion arose cause people assumed the UK had copied the EU on that one.

As per post 31...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As per post 31...

Indeed! apologies… i missed that!

 

[RB001]

Indeed! apologies… i missed that!

Not the only one

 

[Scarlett]

Changes already:

Next steps for a more efficient immigration system

New measures have been announced today to reduce the reliance of the migration and borders system on taxpayer funding.

www.gov.uk

Two keys points:
1. ETA is NOT going to be required for transit without entering the UK
2. Price of the ETA to be increased to GBP16

What is not clear from that page is when these changes will come into effect. It says the changes are ‘before parliament’ now, but doesn’t explicitly say they have been approved or enacted.

It also indicates that the transit exemption may be only a temporary thing.

Clear as mud?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Changes already:

Next steps for a more efficient immigration system

New measures have been announced today to reduce the reliance of the migration and borders system on taxpayer funding.

www.gov.uk

Two keys points:
1. ETA is NOT going to be required for transit without entering the UK
2. Price of the ETA to be increased to GBP16

What is not clear from that page is when these changes will come into effect. It says the changes are ‘before parliament’ now, but doesn’t explicitly say they have been approved or enacted.

It also indicates that the transit exemption may be only a temporary thing.

Clear as mud?

Errr… it’s says the increase to £16 is to reduce the reliance of border services on taxpayer funding. While i understand that for other services such as naturalisation… i don’t get it for tourists, who’s come and spend vast sums at hotels, on food and everything else. You’d think the net benefit outweighed the cost!

But I did learn something… I have an upcoming transit at Gatwick… according to the page I can’t simply airside transit

 

[marki]

Errr… it’s says the increase to £16 is to reduce the reliance of border services on taxpayer funding. While i understand that for other services such as naturalisation… i don’t get it for tourists, who’s come and spend vast sums at hotels, on food and everything else. You’d think the net benefit outweighed the cost!

But I did learn something… I have an upcoming transit at Gatwick… according to the page I can’t simply airside transit

unless you had an EU Passport? Then you would not need one correct?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

unless you had an EU Passport? Then you would not need one correct?

From 2 April EU passport holders will also require ETAs.

 

[marki]

From 2 April EU passport holders will also require ETAs.

oh shock, horror, that indeed is crazy

 

[MEL_Traveller]

oh shock, horror, that indeed is crazy

Reciprocal arrangement as UK passport holders will need one for the EU.