Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) are key in delivering the universal ‘permission to travel’ requirement. Broadly, all Non-Visa National (NVN) visitors and transit passengers (including EEA nationals) who do not require a visa, entry clearance, or immigration status before coming to the UK for short stays (up to six months) should apply for and obtain an ETA before travel. The requirement would also apply to those seeking entry under
the Temporary Work – Creative Worker concession before their travel to the UK.
Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation sets out the detailed provisions relating to ETA. On 25 October 2023, nationals of Qatar became the first to be able to apply for an ETA. The scheme was then rolled out to nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Jordan on 01 February. It will continue to be rolled out to other non-visa nationals in 2024.
From the application of Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation to these nationals, the need for several amendments has been identified to give better effect to the original policy intention, including defining what constitutes an ‘overstay’ in line with the current approach to visitors, clarifying that an ETA is linked and valid only to the passport used in the application process, and providing for cancellation of an
ETA where the validity requirements set out in ETA 1.1. and ETA 1.2. are not met at the time of application or subsequent to this.
In addition, another change being made includes provisions for an exemption to the ETA requirement for British Overseas Territories Citizens.
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