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Non-European visitors including citizens of the US, Canada and Australia travelling to the UK will need to register to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) pre-arrival. The European Union is slated to roll out a similar programme from April for travellers from 60 nations including the UK, the US, Canada and Australia. Meanwhile, Bulgaria and Romania are set to become full-fledged members of the Schengen Zone
Planning to visit the UK or EU in 2025?
A bunch of changes are in the offing that you should probably know about.
Those travelling to the UK and EU will need to register before they arrive.
Meanwhile, the Schengen Zone will also witness a change.
Pre-authorisation for UK
According to TheTravel.com, non-European travellers will have to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK from 8 January.
This includes citizens of United States, Canada, Australia.
The ETA scheme was previously applicable only to citizens of seven West Asian nations.
It is applicable all nationalities who do not require a visa for short stays.
Travellers will have to fill out a form online and pay around $12.75 (Rs 1081) before touching down.
As per the website, the ETA will likely be approved within hours.
However, it could take up to three business days in some instances.
The ETA would hold good for several trips to the UK for visits of up to six month.
It would be valid for two years or till the person’s passport expires – whichever comes first.
But there’s more.
From April 2, EU nationals too will need to get their ETA approved before entering the UK.
BBC quoted the home office as saying that the goal was to check whether people are eligible to come to the UK before they leave their home nations – thus creating a far more efficient system.
Your ETA status will be confirmed before you get on the plane to the UK through a digital link to your passport.
This, they say, will bring down the time taken and any mix-ups at border crossings.
The home office also says that collecting the details of travellers will also help tighten security.
“This expansion of ETA is a significant step forward in delivering a border that’s efficient and fit for the digital age," Seema Malhotra, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, was quoted as saying by the outlet. “Through light-touch screening before people step foot in the UK, we will keep our country safe while ensuring visitors have a smooth travel experience.”
European Union
The UK isn’t alone.
The EU from April 2 is also slated to roll out a similar programme.
This will be put in place for visa-exempt travellers from 60 nations including the UK, US, Canada and Australia and will apply to 30 EU member nations.
This system, known as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), will also require travellers to apply online.
Travellers will have to cough up $7.40 (Rs 627).
Applications will take four days to be approved.
According to Manchester News, a separate Entry/Exits Scheme (EES) will also be rolled out in 2025 in the EU.
This automated IT system will be for non-EU nationals.
Source: https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/travelling-to-uk-or-eu-heres-what-is-set-to-change-in-2025-13844327.html
