UNITED KINGDOM, Sept 11 (Alliance News): Starting next year, travelers from European countries visiting the UK without a visa will need to pay a £10 (approximately $13) waiver fee under new rules announced by UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
The fee will apply to all non-visa holders, including babies and children, and will be implemented as part of the UK’s expanded electronic travel authorization (ETA) system.
Originally introduced for Qatar nationals, the ETA system will now include travelers from various countries, including European Union citizens.
Currently, travelers from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates must apply for an ETA before entering the UK.
This requirement will be extended to include most other nationals, including those from the US, starting in November. By next spring, the scheme will cover European nationals as well.
Cooper stated, “Once fully rolled out, the ETA scheme will close the current gap in advance permissions and provide a comprehensive understanding of those traveling to the UK.”
In related news, Jordanian nationals are no longer eligible to apply for an ETA.
Visa waiver schemes are common, with the US electronic travel authorization ESTA costing $21 and valid for two years, and the European Union’s ETIAS, set to launch in 2025, costing 7 euros (approximately $7.50) for a three-year validity.
The UK, having formally exited the European Union in January 2020, continues to adjust its travel and visa policies accordingly.
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