UK rolling out Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

[Comoman]

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.

I assume they want the other passport pages to check you have been deported/refused entry etc anywhere.

 

[jastel]

Never been deported...what does it say?

Surely they are linked electronically once they have the new Australian number.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Never been deported...what does it say?

Surely they are linked electronically once they have the new Australian number.

British citizen can be revoked in certain circumstances. If you have been deported or had a visa cancelled it might be grounds for the UK to look a bit further. Doesn’t impact many, as few as three people in 2022 (but 104 in 2017).

(source BBC)

 

[burneracc]

Purely to keep qantas happy and avoid any drama at departures as I acknowledge that may be an issue, I decided to apply for an ETA.

I lied (by omission) on my ETA application and was approved in literally under 60 seconds. Cost me $35 to be allowed to enter my own country. Not entirely sure what the point of this system is other than revenue raising to be completely honest - its not as if they formally background check my pinky promise of not being a terrorist or having a criminal record.

As a side note, I dug out my passports to do the ETA application and saw that my UK passport is the old version with the European Union text. RIP the hassle free travel of the past.

 

[Zero]

Or deal with border security having to investigate the validity of my claim of British nationality?

Worst case I apply for an ETA on the spot in front of them? Will report back later how it goes.

I lied (by omission) on my ETA application and was approved in literally under 60 seconds. Cost me $35 to be allowed to enter my own country. Not entirely sure what the point of this system is other than revenue raising to be completely honest - its not as if they formally background check my pinky promise of not being a terrorist or having a criminal record.

The ETA is an authorisation to travel to the UK, it is not an entry clearance. Once you have landed in the UK, it would be pointless making you get an ETA. When you go through immigration the officer or the e-gates will just do the usual checks on your passport. The UKBF currently does not enforce ETAs and leaves it up to the airlines. This may change at some point.

Even if the UK currently does not have access to (for example) European databases of criminal records, and grants you an ETA after you lie about a criminal conviction that the UK doesn't know about, you are relying on the UK not finding out about that conviction later.

More checks may be run when passing through immigration than through the ETA system. So answering honestly may tell you that you need to get a proper visa rather than making you think you are ok to travel and then getting rejected at immigration.

Australia does the same thing with making you lie about not being a citizen, although at least it is free for British passport holders.

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.

I assume they want the other passport pages to check you have been deported/refused entry etc anywhere.

British citizen can be revoked in certain circumstances. If you have been deported or had a visa cancelled it might be grounds for the UK to look a bit further. Doesn’t impact many, as few as three people in 2022 (but 104 in 2017).

(source BBC)

HMPO only wants to see foreign passports because they have a policy that British passport holders must only have one name used for all purposes in all countries. The reason for seeing all the pages is because there may be a change of name observation printed on another page.

If you have a different name in a foreign passport they will insist that you get it changed or reapply for the British one in the same name, unless you can demonstrate exceptional difficulty in getting your name changed in the other country - in which case an observation will be printed in the new British passport regarding the other name.

British citizenship can only be cancelled if you are suspected of being a terrorist or if you provided false information when applying for citizenship that would have led to not being granted citizenship. In general, the passport office does not have automatic access to your UKVI records and is not concerned about whether you have been refused entry to another country.

When renewing a British passport in the UK using the in-person premium services, they will flick through the foreign passports but only take a black and white photocopy of the photo page to send on to the processing office (same-day renewals are not permitted for multiple citizens). The photocopy is posted back to you. When applying for a new British passport by post the original foreign passport is also required, not just colour photocopies.

 

[serfty]

It seems to me a bit weird, that once you have the Approval, that is it, until either the ETA or your passport expires or gets replaced.

Even the help indicates:

---

When you will get your ETA​

We will send you an email when we make a decision on your ETA.

You will usually get a decision within 3 working days, but you may get a quicker decision.

Occasionally, it may take longer than 3 working days.

You can delete the app when you finish applying. Your ETA will be linked to your passport digitally, and you will not need to show anything else when you enter the UK.

 

[Daver6]

It seems to me a bit weird, that once you have the Approval, that is it, until either the ETA or your passport expires or gets replaced.

Even the help indicates:

---

When you will get your ETA​

We will send you an email when we make a decision on your ETA.

You will usually get a decision within 3 working days, but you may get a quicker decision.

Occasionally, it may take longer than 3 working days.

You can delete the app when you finish applying. Your ETA will be linked to your passport digitally, and you will not need to show anything else when you enter the UK.

While you don't need to show anything when entering the UK, QF will want to see evidence that you've been approved when you check-in.

 

[serfty]

While you don't need to show anything when entering the UK, QF will want to see evidence that you've been approved when you check-in.

Well, the app is no help; it seems to be only useful for new applications.

I had thought your passport was linked to the ETA approval and this would be automatically electronically validated on check in. You would not notice anything when this happens.

I would be taking a copy of the approval email with me in any case.

 

[burneracc]

Well, the app is no help; it seems to be only useful for new applications.

I had thought your passport was linked to the ETA approval and this would be automatically electronically validated on check in. You would not notice anything when this happens.

I would be taking a copy of the approval email with me in any case.

May be different at your airport, but in Perth they didn’t check a thing (unless they can validate ETAs electronically by scanning your passport). Waste of $35.

 

[serfty]

May be different at your airport, but in Perth they didn’t check a thing (unless they can validate ETAs electronically by scanning your passport). Waste of $35.

It's linked to your Passport and is validated electronically. In the unlikely event that fails, that's when you may need the copy.

 

[Warragul]

May be different at your airport, but in Perth they didn’t check a thing (unless they can validate ETAs electronically by scanning your passport). Waste of $35.

Its called Interactive Advanced Passenger Information (iAPI). Australia has it as well (was the first country to do so 30 odd years ago). The airline sends passport data, from the swipe at check in or what is in the PNR to the relevant govenment and government sends reply after checks they do - valid visa/ETA, valid passport for own nationals etc.

APIS is the US API system.

Many countries that receive API, do not do the interactive bit.

 

[Daver6]

Well, the app is no help; it seems to be only useful for new applications.

I had thought your passport was linked to the ETA approval and this would be automatically electronically validated on check in. You would not notice anything when this happens.

I would be taking a copy of the approval email with me in any case.

That's what I thought too. Checking in for QF9 about 3 weeks ago they wanted to see the email. Luckily I still had it filed away. I said it's linked to the passport but the check-in agent said their system didn't have access

I also wonder what would have happened if I wasn't checking in a bag and just used the mobile boarding pass?