The UK government is taking major steps towards delivering its aim to digitise the UK border and immigration system and yesterday set out new implementation dates for the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme.
Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance of travelling and this will also apply to Guyanese, according to a release from the UK Home Office. This can be either through an ETA or an eVisa.
“Today we are confirming that from 27 November 2024, eligible non-Europeans can apply for an ETA and will need an ETA to travel from 8 January 2025. ETAs will then extend to eligible Europeans from 5 March 2025, who will need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025.
“ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and ensure more robust security checks are carried out before people begin their journey to the UK, helping to prevent abuse of our immigration system. An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time over 2 years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.
“From today, information about ETA eligibility is available on GOV.UK. Anyone needing to apply for an ETA will be able to do so through a quick and simple process using the UK ETA app”, the release said.