Travelling to the UK? You might need to apply and pay a fee first

The Straits Times ^ | Jan 08, 2025 | Christine Chung

[MinorityRepublican]

Travellers from the United States, Canada and dozens of other countries who do not require visas to enter the United Kingdom will now need to apply for digital authorisation in order to visit or transit through the country.

The electronic travel authorisation, called ETA and linked to a traveller’s passport, costs 10 pounds (S$17) and lasts two years. The requirement was introduced around 2024 for nationals of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and four other Gulf nations and will extend to more than 40 visa-exempt countries starting Jan 8. It will eventually apply to all visa-exempt travellers wishing to visit the United Kingdom, including those from the European Union.

Travellers connecting through airports in the United Kingdom who have final destinations elsewhere will also need to apply for ETA, though this policy is currently under review.

The ETA system is part of a mission to “deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system” that will enhance border security, according to a news release from the British Home Office.

[AndyJackson]

We do the same.

[DesertRhino]

Unless you’re a middle eastern or Pakistani rapist. Then just walk right in. Raping Keir and the Bobbies will shake your hand or kneel or whatever your pagan religion requires…

[Navy Patriot]

Traveling to the UK? You might need to apply and pay a fee first

Nah, the only reason I might fly over the UK is to air drop nuclear waste or bio-hazard waste in a tip (landfill).

[Deaf Smith]

I expect that applying for a UK ETA will give time for British government to research each applicant’s online presence for degrogratory statements against the government.

Upon entry into the UK, those that offended the government to be arrested.

[butlerweave]

Will they make you pay more to get free ? LOL

[yesthatjallen]

Congested driving fees. Travel fees.

Governments, federal, state, and local have learned they can now add fees instead of taxes. Moving around on a daily basis is going to be increasingly expensive.

A new recycling fee? A new sewer fee? A new water fee? The options are limitless.

[silverleaf]

Mind your social media posting
It could be examined

[MinorityRepublican]

How long it takes?

You will usually get a decision within 3 working days, but you may get a quicker decision.

Occasionally, it may take longer than 3 working days.

[The Louiswu]

Face it, the salad days of world travel are long gone and past. Traveling in foreign lands is a crap shoot of disease and safety. I’ll stick to the greatest country in the world world, the USA.

[MinorityRepublican]

Face it, the salad days of world travel are long gone and past. Traveling in foreign lands is a crap shoot of disease and safety.

The British Empire and then the American Hegemony made the world safe for us to travel.

Looks like the party's over.

[Cobra64]

What’s left of tourism to the UK will drop precipitously.

[DallasBiff]

Some 10 tears ago went from Dublin to Liverpool on Ryan Air, got to Liverpool and no customs at all.

[AlaskaErik]

Why would I want to ever visit that feceshole country? I have no interest in ever going to Europe again.

[BatGuano]

There are taxes charged to leave the UK and Euro countries.

[Winniesboy]

There has for many years been a control-free ‘Common Travel Area’ agreement between the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It also includes Gibraltar, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. It both preceded and continues after the UK’s membership of the EU, to which it is unrelated.