To go to the UK you now want an ETA. Here’s how one can do it | EUROtoday

Listen to the audio model of the article

The new guidelines come into pressure as we speak for all EU residents, together with Italians, who wish to go to the United Kingdom: it turns into necessary to have an Electronic Travel Authorization, or Eta, earlier than departure. Eta had already been launched final April, however in a “soft” means, with sporadic or non-existent controls. Once the running-in part has been accomplished, from as we speak the system turns into everlasting and necessary. Airlines have an obligation to refuse boarding to passengers who should not have an ETA.

To the process

Obtaining it’s easy, however have to be accomplished prematurely. It is essential to go to the official British web site www.gov.uk/ETA and fill out the shape: be cautious of the various fraudulent websites that provide ETA at elevated prices. The price is 16 kilos and the authorization is obtained in a couple of minutes, though the British authorities suggest doing the process just a few days earlier than departure in case of issues. Once obtained, the Eta lasts two years and is legitimate for a limiteless variety of journeys. The authorization is particular person and have to be accomplished for every traveler, even babies.

The ETA guidelines have an effect on not solely European residents however vacationers from 85 international locations, together with the United States and Canada. «The Eta system is essential to strengthening the safety of the United Kingdom’s borders – defined Mike Tapp, undersecretary answerable for Immigration -. It serves to ensure a extra environment friendly and trendy service that helps each guests and residents.”

For dual citizens: you need a British passport

Another rule comes into force today, which concerns Italians in possession of dual citizenship, Italian and British, who cannot apply for an ETA. Until now it was possible to travel to and from the United Kingdom with only an Italian passport and in fact many Italians did not even bother to obtain a British passport. Now they will be forced to do so: starting from today it will no longer be possible to enter Great Britain with an Italian passport. So those who have both passports must remember to bring them on every trip, and those who do not yet have a British passport despite having citizenship must apply for one as soon as possible, given that the waiting period to obtain one is on average three weeks, but can be longer. The only alternative while waiting to have the passport is to request a “certificates of entitlement” which certifies British citizenship but costs 589 pounds, while the passport costs “solely” 94.50 pounds.

For Italians who journey to the United Kingdom for examine or work causes, or in any case for durations exceeding six months, the foundations don’t change: it stays necessary to acquire an digital visa, or eVisa.