UK rolling out Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks! that’s cleared up a lot of questions, which weren’t covered on the uk’s own official website! I see the uk says you can check your eVisa status - which can be used as proof of entitlement - at anytime as long as you have a UKVI log in.

Is that system up and running? Because otherwise everyone should have one of those if they intend to travel and don’t have the other documents or a passport?

 

[VPS]

This is referring to the UK transitioning the Identity Card for Foreign Nationals (publicly referred to as Biometric Residence Permits) to Electronic Visas without making sure that the e-visa system actually works for everyone.

Similarly EU/EEA citizens who have obtained Settled Status from when the UK was in the EU, have no physical way to prove this status.

People who can't get their e-Visa to show up will therefore have problems travelling to the UK until the responsible government agency fixes things.

Thanks - that was what I was reading about and I couldn't remember the details

 

[Zero]

Thanks! that’s cleared up a lot of questions, which weren’t covered on the uk’s own official website! I see the uk says you can check your eVisa status - which can be used as proof of entitlement - at anytime as long as you have a UKVI log in.

Is that system up and running? Because otherwise everyone should have one of those if they intend to travel and don’t have the other documents or a passport?

It's basically similar to Australia's system where non-citizens travel with only their passport and all the visa info is held online (and needs to be verified in real time at check in etc)

The system is operational but like with all new IT projects it isn't working perfectly for everybody. Apparently you can still use your (expired) residence card/permit to travel if it isn't working for you but airlines might not accept that.

Unlike Australia which has a universal visa system the UK seems to have three different databases for now - ETA for tourists from formerly visa-exempt countries, EUSS system for EU/EEA citizens who have retained EU rights, and eVisa for other long-term residents. Also short-term (<6 months) visa holders seem to still be getting physical stickers in their passports.

 

[Leccy]

How is check in coping? Are airlines doing that annoying thing where they insist you use self-service machines which tell you to seek assistance every time? Or have they got it working.

 

[Askance]

I used the UK ETA app today, despite seeing its reviews in Google Play store. While its cool that it can read the biometric info on your passport, the design of the rest of the app and its error handling sucks. Ended up having to do it via the browser and they tried multiple times to push me to the app. Um , no thanks.
Compared to the Canadian ETA, which i also did this week, the UK version is abysmal.

 

[VPS]

The biggest annoyance I had was when I had to take my photo and it just wouldn’t accept it.

I got quite a hard time when I came into England and said that I was going to be doing a bit of work

 

[clifford]

I used the UK ETA app today, despite seeing its reviews in Google Play store. While its cool that it can read the biometric info on your passport, the design of the rest of the app and its error handling sucks. Ended up having to do it via the browser and they tried multiple times to push me to the app. Um , no thanks.
Compared to the Canadian ETA, which i also did this week, the UK version is abysmal.

You should try the Indonesian one.

 

[clifford]

I got quite a hard time when I came into England and said that I was going to be doing a bit of work

And how would you have gone as a UK citizen trying to enter Australia saying the same thing?

 

[VPS]

And how would you have gone as a UK citizen trying to enter Australia saying the same thing?

Probably the same. I’m not annoyed with it. I’m just commenting.

 

[Aussie Al]

My brother who is over 70 has been bragging about it. I'm not. Yet.

It does not appear to be free for over 70's. I just applied this week and was charged, and yes I'm over 70. Additionally I can find nothing on the UK.GOV website that states any age exemptions.
Maybe the UK Government changed their mind on that one.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It does not appear to be free for over 70's. I just applied this week and was charged, and yes I'm over 70. Additionally I can find nothing on the UK.GOV website that states any age exemptions.
Maybe the UK Government changed their mind on that one.

Already well and truly settled in the previous posts. It is NOT free for over 70s. The European one will be, but not the UK’s.

 

[Pushka]

It does not appear to be free for over 70's. I just applied this week and was charged, and yes I'm over 70. Additionally I can find nothing on the UK.GOV website that states any age exemptions.
Maybe the UK Government changed their mind on that one.

Yes. I was thinking of the EU one.

 

[frodo]

I used the UK ETA app today, despite seeing its reviews in Google Play store. While its cool that it can read the biometric info on your passport, the design of the rest of the app and its error handling sucks. Ended up having to do it via the browser and they tried multiple times to push me to the app. Um , no thanks.
Compared to the Canadian ETA, which i also did this week, the UK version is abysmal.

I also ended up applying on my desktop, mainly because I dislike downloading unnecessary apps for everything.
Very easy process, just needed a picture of my passport and a photo.

Also thanks to the posts earlier in the thread for saying that you can pay in GBP by saying that you are applying in the UK.

ETA approved in under a minute.

 

[burneracc]

I have an expired UK passport and valid Australian passport with an upcoming trip to the UK this week - should I just lie on the ETA app and say I'm not a British citizen to get the ETA? Or deal with border security having to investigate the validity of my claim of British nationality?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have an expired UK passport and valid Australian passport with an upcoming trip to the UK this week - should I just lie on the ETA app and say I'm not a British citizen to get the ETA? Or deal with border security having to investigate the validity of my claim of British nationality?

It seems the *official* line is that you need to apply for a new UK passport: British dual nationals left confused about applying for UK ETA

The article I linked discusses your exact situation.

There is no easy answer… you either have to lie on your application, or get a new passport.

 

[burneracc]

It seems the *official* line is that you need to apply for a new UK passport: British dual nationals left confused about applying for UK ETA

The article I linked discusses your exact situation.

There is no easy answer… you either have to lie on your application, or get a new passport.

Yeah, it is a bit of an odd one. Honestly I don't think that they will deny my entry (?), I have unbreakable ties to Australia either way (job + return flight pre-booked), plus pretty rock solid proof that I *am* British (registered to vote so I show up on the electoral register, my expired UK passport has been through UK immigration before, and I was of course born there) but its not exactly something I'm looking forwards to explaining.

I have had to avoid renewing my British passport as they require all other current physical passports that one owns to be sent in with the UK application which frankly is a ridiculous ask. The other option I explored was going to a UK consulate / embassy here, but they want $125 GBP for an emergency passport which is single use so I'm good on that front.

The only other option seems to be a certificate of entitlement which is a cool £589.

Worst case I apply for an ETA on the spot in front of them? Will report back later how it goes.
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edit, I think I'm good;

The embassy in Paris said: "We recognise that the introduction of the ETA is a substantial change for British dual citizens of ETA eligible nationalities, and they are currently permitted to travel on their non-British passport without an ETA or proof of British nationality while the scheme is being implemented.

"In the future, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid delays at the border. We will make it clear when this change will be enforced."

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah, it is a bit of an odd one. Honestly I don't think that they will deny my entry (?), I have unbreakable ties to Australia either way (job + return flight pre-booked), plus pretty rock solid proof that I *am* British (registered to vote so I show up on the electoral register, my expired UK passport has been through UK immigration before, and I was of course born there) but its not exactly something I'm looking forwards to explaining.

I have had to avoid renewing my British passport as they require all other current physical passports that one owns to be sent in with the UK application which frankly is a ridiculous ask. The other option I explored was going to a UK consulate / embassy here, but they want $125 GBP for an emergency passport which is single use so I'm good on that front.

The only other option seems to be a certificate of entitlement which is a cool £589.

Worst case I apply for an ETA on the spot in front of them? Will report back later how it goes.
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edit, I think I'm good;

I think the problem is going to be that you will be denied boarding in Australia without an ETA or proof of your British citizenship.

What is the date on the excerpt you included from the French embassy? What holds true for airlines in Europe - allowing travel without an ETA - may not hold in other countries where they’re unfamiliar with the complexities.

You could apply for one at the checkin counter… they seem to get approved almost instantly.

Which is great… until it isn’t. There is a chance it doesn’t get approved instantly.

I didn’t have to send in my other passport when renewing my current one. They just want a colour photocopy of every page of your other passports. Aside from the pain of having to turn every page and press ‘print’ - and the waste of paper - it’s fairly easy.

The entry in TIMATIC - which is what airline staff will look at to allow you to board in Australia is as follows:

Exemptions for Electronic Authorization​

Nationals of Australia do not need a visa for a maximum of 6 months if they have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) obtained prior to boarding at www.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation..

Exemptions Country Specific​

Passengers with one of the following documents issued by the United Kingdom do not need a visa:
- an EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Family permit; or
- a Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man Settlement Scheme Family Permit; or
- a settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS); or
- a settled or pre-settled status under the Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man Settlement Scheme; or
- an application for EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS); or
- an application for Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man Settlement Scheme; or
- a Service Provider from Switzerland visa if they are a Swiss national.
Up to and including 1 June 2025, expired EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence cards (EUSS BRCs) are accepted if they expire on or after 31 December 2024.

 

[Comoman]

Yeah, it is a bit of an odd one. Honestly I don't think that they will deny my entry (?), I have unbreakable ties to Australia either way (job + return flight pre-booked), plus pretty rock solid proof that I *am* British (registered to vote so I show up on the electoral register, my expired UK passport has been through UK immigration before, and I was of course born there) but its not exactly something I'm looking forwards to explaining.

I have had to avoid renewing my British passport as they require all other current physical passports that one owns to be sent in with the UK application which frankly is a ridiculous ask. The other option I explored was going to a UK consulate / embassy here, but they want $125 GBP for an emergency passport which is single use so I'm good on that front.

The only other option seems to be a certificate of entitlement which is a cool £589.

Worst case I apply for an ETA on the spot in front of them? Will report back later how it goes.
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edit, I think I'm good;

That’s not correct re: sending in other passports for a UK passport renewal.. They just need a photocopy of each page (which you get back via DHL along with your old passport). I’ve just done it.

 

[jastel]

I renewed my Aus passport after covid, once I did that I renewed my UK one.
And YES had to photocopy EVERY BLANK PAGE of my brand new Aust passport.

Beats sending it away I suppose but still a bit stupid.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I renewed my Aus passport after covid, once I did that I renewed my UK one.
And YES had to photocopy EVERY BLANK PAGE of my brand new Aust passport.

Beats sending it away I suppose but still a bit stupid.

Well, otherwise people will potentially leave out pages which might contain things they don’t want the UK passport office to know! One way to check is to get the full passport, including any blank pages.