Electronic Travel Authorisation (eta) replaces visa-free travel to the UK

By 1st 4Immigration - #1 UK Immigration Experts -

This is a change for nationals who normally did not need a visa to come to the UK for a holiday or business trip. This includes people from Europe, Australia, Canada, USA, Malaysia, UAE, Qatar and many other countries, the Rules call them “non-visa nationals”. Whereas before it was possible to visit the UK without any visa (just get a stamp at the airport), now you would need an ETA prior to travel. It is similar to American ETA and Australian ESTA, still not a “proper” visa, but an online authorisation before travel. If the system approves – you can head to the airport. If not – you’d have to apply for a Visitor visa.

 

When does ETA start?

Most nationals can apply from 27 November 2024; European visitors – from 5 March 2025. When eligible, you can apply here.   

 

Costs and timing

ETA costs 10 British Pounds per person, including per each child, and takes 3 working days to be processed. In some cases, it may be possible to travel to the UK while waiting for ETA, but you still have to apply for it. When approved, an ETA lasts for 2 years, so you can travel back and forth during that time, each staying maximum 6 months as a visitor/holidaymaker. 

 

 Visa nationals still need a "proper" Visitor visa 

If your nationality is on the list of “visa nationals”, you will have to apply for a Visitor visa (not for ETA), even to come to the for a holiday. Submitting an online visa form, providing all the supporting documents, such as finances, reasons for travel to the UK, ties with your home country etc. The visa Rules and documents remain the same, even with electronic visas. The same caseworkers will be considering all applications, including checking the previous immigration history. 

 

Who is a visa national?

Examples: Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Russian, South African etc, you can check your nationality here.   

 

For immigration advice, Book online consultation here. A call over Zoom or WhatsApp costs £150 if you prefer to talk to a lawyer. An email consultation costs only £120 and we provide answers by the next working day. Advice fee counts towards our future services with a visa application, so the final fee is the same, just split into 2 stages. 

 

1st 4Immigration is one of the most experienced UK immigration law companies, OISC – accredited at the highest Level 3. We have been in business for over 15 years, our OISC reference is 200800152, in which 2008 stands for the year accreditation. Office: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1HN. Website 1st4immigration.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Updated May 2020: UK visa work continues - latest update

By -
UK immigration authorities continue to process visa applications, albeit not as fast as they normally would. The visa centres are beginning to gradually re-opening from 1 June 2020 in the UK and abroad. Regardless of when your particular centre re-opens, it is still possible to submit your application online. If your visa expires soon, you can apply for your next visa "on-time", i.e. before your current visa expires, by making such an application online and then waiting for the further steps. This keeps you within the Rules and does not make you an overstayer.  Even better, the actual documents (supporting evidence) can be submitted later, thus giving you even more time to prepare while remaining within the Rule on visa expiry dates. We usually have 45 days to provide the documents (ie upload them online to the Government portal) after the online "submission" mentioned above. This is extended for as long as it will take to clear up the backlog.  If you
Read more

🇬🇧 Spouse vs Fiancée visa: pros and cons

By -
Image
    How are they different? What are advantages of each of them? Our helpful table below gives you the visa options for partners of UK citizens. Spouse visa (including civil partners) Fiancée visa Marital status Have to be married (or get married) and apply for a UK visa as a Spouse. Can come to the UK, get married within 6 months and then apply for a Spouse visa. Where to apply? Can apply outside the UK, in a country where a foreign spouse lives or works (but not visiting). Can switch inside the UK from most categories. Only outside the UK This includes a situation where the current UK visa allows switching to a Spouse visa but the couple has to take the Fiancée route (such as if they need time to meet the Financial Requirement). Duration of the visa 2.5 years, then extension for another 2.5 years, then permanent residency after 5 years. 6 months, then Spouse visa for 2.5 years, then extension for another 2.5 years, then permanent residency after 5 years on Spouse visas only (not coun
Read more

💸 10 common mistakes when meeting the Financial Requirement £18,600 for a UK Spouse visa

By -
Image
#1 Most common - submitting “everything I have’.  Some payslips, a tax return, some savings plus a property deed for good measure. Surely, should work? It may sound logical to provide as much as possible, this is often a nightmare scenario for immigration lawyers and often a direct path to a visa refusal. Financial Requirement is strictly based on the ‘rules’: what income can be used, how various sources can be combined and what documents are needed. We often say there is 75-page office guidance just on the finances: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/636618/Appendix_FM_1_7_Financial_Requirement_Final.pdf  #2 Savings - it’s not £18,600 and not £16,000.  The real amount (for this purpose) is calculated using this formula: threshold you need to meet (such as £18,600) x 2.5 plus £16,000. If you are using savings alone, it would be £18,600 x 2.5 + £16,000 = £62,500!  #3 Employment -  the minimum is 6 months for the sa
Read more