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If you are planning to travel to Great Britain in 2025 and are a US citizen, please note that presenting a valid passport at the check-in desk no longer meets all travel requirements:
From January 8, 2025, all US passport holders will be required to present a pre-approved travel authorization, known as an Electronic Travel Authorization (or ETA), when boarding flights to the United Kingdom. they are refused entry.
Applications are possible from November 27, 2024 al open, so here’s everything you need to know:
What is an ETA and why is Britain introducing one?
The British ETA is Britain’s new online travel authorization system, modeled after the ESTA of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, imposed on Europeans and most visa-exempt nationals coming to America.
The reason why you haven’t heard of ETAs, ESTAs or whatever they want to call them is because as a US citizen you are exempt from registration for those traveling to most countries around the world.
For example, Canada has an ETA, but exempts Americans from the requirement, and since you are a citizen of the United States, you are obviously not expected to get a travel authorization to fly home to America.
What we’re trying to say is that ETAs are not new. you were just lucky enough to avoid them until now.
If you’re wondering what exactly an ETA is, it’s similar to an e-Visa, which is issued online and issued after a quick background check. the new standard which regulates international travel, with a growing number of countries adhering to this policy.
Just this year, Thailand announced a similar entry permit, South Korea appears to be reintroducing its K-ETA from January, the European Union is preparing to release its ETIAS (different acronym, same concept), and even Japan is preparing currently scheduled to start by 2030.
Step-by-step guide to obtaining a UK ETA
Download the app
In the case of Great Britain, you will need to download the British ETA app, which is available under this exact name on Android and iOS, or you can sign up online, although this may take longer due to the need for verification of the data entered– – We’ll tell you why in a moment.
Once you’ve downloaded the app to your phone or digital device, the first step is to do it start a new application.
Add email address and phone number
As an American, you are eligible for a UK ETA if you are in possession of a valid biometric passport that is still valid and has not suffered any damage: the reason for this is that you need a document in good condition to be scanned in the app.
As you follow the instructions in the app, the first step is: add a valid email address and telephone number.
Take a photo of your passport
Next you need to do this take a photo of the passport information pagewhere your photo, personal details and identification number are located (of course it helps that you are in a well-lit area).
You can’t upload a photocopy, so make sure all four sides are visible and no information is missing. The app will let you know whether the photo meets the requirements.
Scan your biometric data
The third step is the most fun, because it asks of you press the back of your phone against the front of your passport and gently slide it down so that the app can read the biometric information in the digital chip.
Just like with the passport photo, the app will let you know if this step was successful or if you need to try again.
If you apply via desktop via the websiteit may take longer for this information to be verified.
Say cheese!
Once you have finished validating your passport, you will be asked to take a selfie.
Once more, make sure you are in a well-lit areaThere are no shadows covering your face and your facial features are perfectly visible, especially the eyes and the contours of the face.
The app will notify you if the photo does not meet the identity requirements.
Answer the security questions
Next come the security questions: make sure you read them carefully and don’t tick the wrong boxes as they could lead to a refusal of the ETA.
Basically, the British authorities want to know if you are of good character, and if you have been convicted of crimes in the past, and even then these don’t automatically mean a refusal… unless they relate to terrorism and other serious crimes. violations.
Because they are direct, closed questions, with options to check ‘Yes’ or ‘No’this is the fastest step, taking less than a minute, and if you have a clean record, you have nothing to worry about!
If for some reason you do not qualify for an ETA you will be expected to apply for a UK visa at a consulate, but again that is only in very rare cases and only if you have been convicted of an serious matter. crime.
Pay before your expected arrival time
The final step is to pay for your UK ETA, as this is obviously not free: the current cost of an ETA is £10 (British Pounds) or approximately US$12.68 at the current exchange rate, and you can pay by credit or debit card, as well as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Once payment is confirmed, you will receive a payment confirmation email indicating that the ETA is being processed. A decision will be made within 3 working days (Monday to Friday).
This means It can take up to 72 hours before an ETA is approved, it is therefore very important that you do not submit your application until the very last minute, especially if you are traveling to Great Britain this weekend: you will not may enter or board the country unless you have obtained the permit.
Fortunately for most, ETA approvals are issued almost immediately, within seconds to minutes of application, provided it is a business day.
How to use your UK ETA
It is valid for 2 yearsor until the associated passport expires, whichever expires earlier, allowing you to travel to the United Kingdom as many times as you wish, provided each visit does not exceed 180 days.
You do not need to print the ETA confirmation email or present it at the check-in counter or border control as staff can independently view and verify your ETA details.
You need an estimated time of arrival travel or transit through the United Kingdom: Even if it is a short stopover of 1 or 2 hours in London, or less, you will not be allowed to board the plane unless you have paid for the permit.
It applies to all Americans traveling on planes, ferries and trains arriving from mainland Europe, unless they are dual British and Irish citizens, or hold a long-term resident visa for the United Kingdom.
In the event that they are both British and Irish citizens, they must always use their British or Irish passport to enter Great Britain to avoid being denied entry into the country, or refused entry at the border with an American passport without a valid ETA.
You can stay in Great Britain for a maximum of 180 consecutive days based on an estimated time of arrival
ETAs are valid for travel to all four constituent countries of the United Kingdom, namely England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man), as these are all part of the British passport-free country. Common travel area.
It is not yet clear whether ETAs will be needed to enter other British territories around the world, such as Gibraltar, on the southern coast of Spain, or Akrotiri and Dhekelia on the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus.
ETAs can be used for tourism, when visiting up to 180 days at a timeto visit family and friends, do business and undertake short studies (courses of up to 6 months).
Paid Permitted Engagement is also permitted as long as this takes place within the first 30 days of your visit, and if you are in the creative work sector you may also come to the UK for work with an ETA of up to 3 months.
For any other category, you may need to apply for a visa at a British consulate.
If you need more information, you can consult the official sources here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
