Plans announced for UK Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme

Home Secretary Priti Patel unveiled details of the proposed Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) but hasn’t disclosed how much it will cost travellers.

It will be required for foreign nationals including EU citizens and is similar in scope to the US ESTA scheme.

That costs $14 per traveller.

It is designed to make UK borders more secure and authorities will finally know exactly how many foreign nationals are coming in and out of the country.

Visitors would need to fill an online form before traveling to the UK allowing for security checks to take place.

A pilot scheme could begin later this year in partnership with selected airlines.

Airlines would need to check validity of ETAs prior to boarding.

It is not expected to come into force until about 2025.

The EU is also introducing a similar scheme called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is expected to launch in 2022.

It will apply to UK travellers and will likely cost visitors about €7.