UK Introduces ETA for Travellers Previously Not Needing Visa

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) would soon be a requirement for people, who did not need a visa to come to the United Kingdom (UK).
According to information on GOV.Uk, this would give permission to travel to the UK, and would be electronically linked to passport.

The information read: “You’ll need an ETA to: come to the UK for up to sixmonths for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or study, come to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession; transit through the UK, including if you’re not going through UK border control.
According to the website, those who would need an ETA, for example, “if you’re from Qatar; You’ll need an ETA if you’re travelling to the UK on or after 15 November 2023. You’ll be able to apply from 25 October.

“If you’re from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates; you’ll need an ETA if you’re travelling to the UK on or after 22 February 2024. You’ll be able to apply from 1 February 2024. If you’re from another country, you do not need to apply for an ETA now. More nationalities will be added to the scheme later.”
It added that, “You will not need an ETA if you have either; a British or Irish passport, and have permission to live, work or study in the UK or a visa to enter the UK.

“If you live in Ireland and you’re not an Irish citizen: You will not need an ETA if all of the following apply, you’re legally resident in Ireland, you do not need a visa to enter the UK, you’re entering the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

“You can prove you live in Ireland by showing any of these: Irish driving licence, Irish learner permit, medical card, GP visit card, European Health Insurance Card, Irish Residence Permit, Permanent Residence Certificate, Temporary Residence Certificate, National Age Card
“The document must be an original, issued by the Irish government, valid at the time you travel but if you’re under 16, you will not be asked to show a document.

“Someone needs to apply on the UK ETA app, or online on GOV.UK. You can apply on behalf of others; each traveller must get their own ETA, including children and babies.”