VI Belongers now require ETA for UK Visits
The requirement extends to all non-European, visa-exempt travellers and aims to modernise the country’s border and immigration processes.
ETA enhances security
The ETA forms a key component of the UK’s transition to a fully digital border system, aligning with similar systems in jurisdictions like Australia and the United States of America.
The UK government has said the ETA is designed to enhance security by conducting pre-arrival checks on travellers with the system linked to travellers’ passports, streamlining border control processes and increasing efficiency.
It also serves as a parallel to the European Union’s forthcoming ETIAS system, which will require travellers to obtain similar authorisations for entry into 30 European countries from mid-2025.
Valid for up to 6 months
Once approved, the ETA will allow travellers to make multiple visits to the UK for up to six months at a time, over two years, or until their passport expires—whichever comes first.
Costing £10 per application, the process is entirely online, with most applications being processed within 24 hours. Applicants are nonetheless advised to apply at least three working days in advance to accommodate potential delays.
Non-European travellers, including those from the VI, began submitting ETA applications from November 27, 2024, while European applicants will have access to the system from 5 March 2025.
Additionally, on April 2, 2025, visa-exempt European travellers will also be required to secure an ETA, while countries that already require visas for entry to the UK will remain subject to the existing visa application processes.
Other British Overseas Territories subject to the new ETA include Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands.
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23 Responses to “VI Belongers now require ETA for UK Visits ”
Guyana is a visa exempt, non european.
Yet Russia doesn't have to. They are Europeans and don't need visas
They don't need the same to come here. Life ain't fair. That why.
Let God, the Alrighty Creator, alone be as is the eternal truthful One, but all others not be as Him Amen
You DO NOT need an ETA if any of these apply to you:
- you have a visa
- you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)
- you are a British or Irish citizen
- you are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
- you live in Ireland and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
SOURCE: https://bvi.org.uk/uks-electronic-travel-authorisation/
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
You do not need an ETA if any of these apply to you:
you have a visa
you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)
you are a British or Irish citizen
you are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport
you live in Ireland and you are travelling from Ireland
Home
Entering and staying in the UK
Guidance
Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
List of nationalities that that can apply for an ETA now or will be able to apply later.
From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published
10 September 2024
Last updated
26 November 2024 — See all updates
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Who can apply now
Who can apply from 5 March 2025
Other nationalities
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An ETA allows you to travel to the UK to visit for up to 6 months. Whether you can apply depends on:
the date you travel
your nationality as shown on your passport
Who can apply now
These nationalities can apply for an ETA to travel to the UK now.
Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
If you are travelling on or after 8 January 2025
Nationalities from the following locations (including associated territories) can apply for an ETA now.
These nationalities do not need an ETA to travel to the UK on or before 7 January 2025.
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas)
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Macao Special Administrative Region
Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Federated States of Micronesia
Nauru
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Samoa
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Taiwan (if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan)
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
United States
Uruguay
Who can apply from 5 March 2025
Nationalities from the following locations (including associated territories) can apply for an ETA from 5 March 2025.
They can travel to the UK with an ETA from 2 April 2025.
Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Vatican City
Other nationalities
Other nationalities cannot get an ETA. Check if you need a visa instead.
Published 10 September 2024
Last updated 26 November 2024 + show all updates
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