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A new system for travelers arriving in the UK will become mandatory starting Wednesday for citizens from a wide range of countries, including the United States and Australia. The UK government introduced this electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enhance the immigration framework. While officials state it will help streamline and secure border processes, the rollout has caused confusion, especially among dual nationals who have rushed to obtain UK passports to comply with the updated regulations.
Under the new procedure, travelers from 85 visa-exempt nations must acquire an ETA before their trip. This authorisation permits visitors to stay for up to six months and remains valid for two years or until the passport used to apply for it expires. It allows multiple entries during its validity period. Intended for short visits such as tourism, business, or brief study programs, the ETA also covers those transiting through the UK—except for passengers who never pass through border control at UK airports. Any longer stays or visits for work or extended studies still require a traditional visa. Importantly, travelers who already need a visa to enter the UK are not required to apply for an ETA as well. Additionally, British and Irish citizens remain exempt from both visa and ETA requirements.
Applying for an ETA costs £16 currently, though the government intends to raise the fee to £20. Applicants must provide personal and passport details, submit an appropriate photo, and answer a series of questions. Travel must be undertaken with the same passport used during the ETA application. The government claims most applicants will receive an immediate response through the dedicated app but advises submitting applications at least three working days in advance of travel. If an ETA request is denied, the applicant will be informed of the reason and can reapply; however, refused applicants cannot appeal and are instead required to seek a visa to enter the UK.
Enforcement of the new system involves checks before boarding, where valid ETAs will be verified by airlines, rail, and ferry operators using automated digital systems connected to the Home Office. The ETA is linked electronically to the passport, eliminating the need for a physical printout at the border, though travelers may choose to carry one for reference. Having an ETA grants permission to visit, but it does not guarantee entry, as final approval lies with border officers at passport control. Consequently, travelers, even with valid ETAs, may be refused entry if additional issues arise.
A significant challenge has emerged for dual nationals holding both UK citizenship and another nationality because they cannot apply for an ETA. To re-enter the UK, such individuals must present either a British passport or a digital certificate of entitlement linked to their second passport. Without these documents, they risk being denied travel back to the UK. Unfortunately, neither the British passport nor the certificate of entitlement is automatically issued upon gaining citizenship, and many dual nationals who have lived in the UK for extended periods never applied for them. Obtaining these documents involves weeks of waiting and notable costs—a British passport costs roughly £100 for an adult, while the certificate of entitlement is priced at £589. Prior to the ETA implementation, dual nationals had been able to exit and return to the UK using their non-British passport, but the new rules have disrupted this practice. Some dual citizens currently stranded abroad argue that the notice period for these changes was insufficient, limiting their ability to prepare. A Home Office spokeswoman reminded that “public information advising dual nationals to carry the correct documents has been available since October 2024 and a substantive communications campaign about the introduction of ETA has been running since 2023.”
ETA systems are not unique to the UK; countries such as Canada and the United States have long employed similar digital authorisations for travelers, which likely influenced the UK’s adoption of the electronic travel authorisation scheme
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