Commencing in 2025, tourists from Europe will be required to shell out fees for gaining entry into the United Kingdom.
The upcoming changes, to be implemented within the year, will extend the UK's digital entry permit system, initially implemented for Qatari citizens, to cover travelers from all nations, including EU residents.
As per the regulations declared by UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, this non-refundable charge will apply to all tourists visiting the UK, regardless of their age or status, such as visa-less entry, residence, employment, or study permission.
At present, nationals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are required to apply for this permit before entering the UK.
Beginning in November, this requirement will be extended to most other nationalities, excluding European residents. By next spring, this system will be expanded further to incorporate Europeans.
However, this new rule will not impact Irish citizens.
Cooper stated, "Once fully implemented, the ETA system will bridge the existing gap in prior authorizations, providing us with an unprecedented insight into individuals traveling to the UK for the first time."
According to the UK government site, Jordanians are no longer eligible to apply for an ETA to enter the UK.
E-visa programs are not novel concepts. The United States introduced their electronic travel authorization, the ESTA, in 2009, at a cost of $21 and valid for two years.
Meanwhile, the EU's ETIAS, which will last for three years and set travelers back 7 euros (approximately $7.50), has been delayed until 2025.
The UK officially parted ways with the EU in January 2020.
With the expansion of the digital entry permit system, travelers from all nations, including EU residents, will need to pay the non-refundable fee when visiting the UK, as announced by the UK government.
The announcement of extending the ETA system to cover European travelers has been met with interest, as many nations, like the US with their ESTA, have already implemented similar digital travel authorization systems.
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