Americans and non-Irish EU citizens travelling to UK from France must pay a higher fee
The ETA becomes mandatory for non-Irish EU citizens from April 2
The new rate applies to all travellers who must obtain an ETA
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The UK’s new border security ‘visa-waiver’ scheme is not yet fully in place, but costs to obtain it are already set to rise.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has been in place since January for Americans, Canadians, Australians and many others, and will be required for non-Irish EU citizens entering the UK from April 2.
It is required for all travellers except British/Irish citizens (including dual citizens), and those who already have a right to live in the UK.
Applications are based on a person’s citizenship, not place of residency meaning if travelling today (March 26) an American citizen entering the UK from France needs an ETA, but a French person entering from Canada does not.
Note that travellers merely transiting through the UK are exempt from ETA requirements.
Read more: What are the rules for the UK’s new border security ‘ETA’?
The price of the document, valid for unlimited travel into the UK for two years (or until the holder’s passport expires if this comes first) currently costs £10 (just over €12).
From April 9, however, the price will rise to £16, or around €19.
This is an across the board hike for travellers from all countries included in the scheme – there are no reduced rates for citizens of certain places.
Price rise for application, not travel, date
Note this date relates to the application for an ETA, not the date of travel.
If you obtain an ETA prior to this – for travel plans after April 9 – it will cost £10.
You do not need to enter your travel details to apply.
This means you can obtain a two-year ETA now at the cheaper rate – even if you do not have concrete plans – if you expect to travel to the UK soon, to benefit from the reduced rate.
The cost of an ETA is being hiked “to reduce the reliance on taxpayer funding of the migration and borders system,” says the UK government on its website announcing the increases.
Read more: Facial recognition set to replace passports for Britons travelling from France
