Latest news with #ElectronicTravelAuthorisation
CNBC
7 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
New entrance fee to visit Europe set to triple, says European Commission
Some travelers may need to pay more to enter parts of Europe come 2026. The price for travel authorization under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System is set to nearly triple, according to an announcement from the European Commission Friday. The system, known as ETIAS, hasn't been implemented yet. The authorization, which was adopted in 2018, has been postponed several times, and is now set to take effect in the fourth quarter of 2026. A proposal was made to increase the fee from 7 euros ($8) to 20 euros ($23), according to the announcement. Inflation and additional operational costs were reasons for the price hike, according to the announcement. The new fee comports with the price of other travel authorizations, such as the U.K.'s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and the U.S.' Electronic System for Travel Authorization, known as ESTA, the European Commission said. Currently, an ETA costs £16 ($21.70), and the ESTA costs $21. The ETIAS travel authorization applies to visa-exempt travelers who want to visit 30 European countries for stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Some travelers are exempt from the fee, including those who are under 18 years old or over 70 years old, as well as family members of European Union citizens. Travelers from 59 places will need to obtain an ETIAS authorization, including those from Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the United States and the United Kingdom. The proposed adjustment is subject to a two-month review period by the European Council and Parliament, according to the announcement.
ITV News
22-07-2025
- ITV News
Jersey's Chief Minister formally proposes £16 ETA travel permit for foreign visitors
Jersey is a step closer to introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which would see most foreign visitors made to pay £16 to enter the island from outside the Common Travel Area. Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, has submitted the proposition to the States, which will be debated in September. It is expected to be approved and would see Jersey adopt the same scheme that is already in place across the UK, with the other Crown Dependencies of Guernsey and the Isle of Man also working on similar legislation. The changes are anticipated to come into force at the end of 2025 or start of 2026. It would mean there could be no further extension to French day trippers visiting Jersey on their national identity cards, as all ETA applications require a passport. Visitors to Jersey would need this travel permit, including babies and children, unless they are exempt, and it would last for two years or until the person's passport expires, whichever comes first. The ETA covers travel for tourism, seeing family and certain other reasons for up to six months. Those who will not need the permit include visitors from within the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, and the Bailiwick of Guernsey) or who already have a valid visa. A full list of exemptions will be published once the scheme is approved.
The Independent
22-07-2025
- The Independent
What is an ETA and how can European visitors to the UK apply for the new visa?
The vast majority of overseas visitors to the United Kingdom must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance. The Home Office says it is creating 'a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year". The government says: 'Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This can be either through an Electronic Travel Authorisation or an eVisa.' Most leisure and business travellers to the UK do not need a visa. But starting from 2 April 2025, almost all these overseas visitors, are now required to have an ETA. (Non-Europeans already needed the permit, but a large majority of visitors to the UK are from the EU.) The exceptions are Irish citizens, and people who 'have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)'. Ministers say rolling out the scheme worldwide will 'prevent abuse of our immigration system'. But under pressure from London Heathrow airport, they have dropped the bizarre requirement for passengers merely in 'airside' transit for a couple of hours to obtain an ETA. These are the key questions and answers. What is the ETA? The United Kingdom, in common with many other countries, is demanding more information in advance from prospective visitors before they board planes, ships or trains to Britain – or drive across the border from Ireland to Northern Ireland. The government says: 'This will ensure we have information on those seeking to come to the UK helping to prevent dangerous individuals, such as criminals, entering the UK.' The starting point of the journey to the UK is not relevant; what counts is the traveller's nationality. At present a relatively small number of arrivals do not qualify for 'visa-free' status. They must go through the complex and expensive business of applying for an eVisa. Until the Electronic Travel Authorisation was launched, everyone else just turned up. But now almost every foreign visitor must obtain the ETA, with the exception of Irish citizens. As with the US Esta scheme, and similar systems used by Canada and Australia, applications must be made online in one of two ways: Via the app: search for 'UK eta ' on the Apple app store or Google Play. Through the official website. Applicants must supply a photograph and answer a set of questions on 'suitability and criminality'. The ETA is linked to the traveller's passport. The cost is £16 payable by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Apple Pay or Google Pay. The permit is valid for repeated stays of up to six months at a time within two years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner. How long does an ETA take to issue? The Home Office says: 'You will usually get a decision within three working days. Most people get a much quicker decision. Occasionally, it may take longer than three working days.' In practice, as with Australian and Canadian permits, most decisions will be made and the permit issued within minutes. Surprisingly, you need not have been issued with the pass at the time you start a journey to the UK. The Home Office says: 'You must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can travel to the UK while waiting for a decision.' This loophole could be extremely helpful to passengers who do not realise they need an ETA when they turn up at an airport, seaport or international rail terminal to travel to the UK. They can make an application on the spot, which will enable them meet the condition for continuing their journey. What if an ETA is declined? It depends why the application was turned down. If a person's ETA application is rejected because of an error they made, they will be told the reason and can apply again. If a person's ETA application is refused because they are regarded as unsuitable, they cannot appeal. People who have a criminal record or were previously refused entry into the UK are advised to apply for a standard visitor visa instead. Who checks the traveller has the ETA? For the majority of travellers, airlines and ferry companies are expected to verify the ETA status before the passenger boards a flight or ship to the UK. They will be penalised if they fail to check. The government says: 'Where an inadequately documented arrival (IDA) is brought to the UK, the carrier may be liable for a fine of up to £2,000.' Ferries from France to Dover, Eurostar trains to London, and Eurotunnel shuttles to Folkestone have 'juxtaposed controls' and UK Border Force staff will check the permit while the traveller is in Continental Europe. The glaring gap in the UK Border is Northern Ireland. A tourist to the Republic of Ireland who inadvertently or deliberately strays into Northern Ireland is legally obliged to have an ETA, but there is no indication how their status will be checked. Does the ETA guarantee entry to the UK? No. The Home Office says: 'An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. You still need to either: see a Border Force officer. use an ePassport gate.' How does the cost compare with other countries? The £16 fee is mid-range, and the same as a US Esta currently. In ascending order of cost: Australia issues free eVisitor permits. Canada's eta costs C$7 (£4) and is valid for up to five years. The US Esta costs $21 (£16) for up to two years, but is reported to be rising soon to $40 (£30). Europe's much-delayed Etias scheme is set to cost €20 (£17) for up to three years. New Zealand's NZeTA is NZ$17 (£8) for up to two years. But it requires a further payment of NZ$100 (£44) as the International Visitor Levy (NZ$6 more if you apply on the website rather than the app). Commercial sites that pay search engines to rank ahead of the official site have already appeared. They include one called which appears to be based in Florida, and charges up to $99.99 (£78) on top of the fee. Do transit passengers need an ETA? Not if they are remaining 'airside', ie not going through the UK Border and remaining in the transit area at London Heathrow or Manchester airport. But anyone going through passport control – for example, landing at Gatwick and later flying out from Luton – will need one. Common Travel Agreement.
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Chief minister proposes tighter immigration checks for Jersey
Immigration checks for people hoping to visit Jersey could be tightened if a proposition is non-visa nationals including those from within the European Economic Area and EU do not need visas and can visit for up to six months without additional chief minister's proposition suggests following the UK, where it has a system of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETAS) for people who want to visit from some countries with their passport.A scheme for French visitors was renewed in June to allow people to come to Jersey with an ID card for up to 24 hours - if the proposition is approved, French visitors will need to have a passport because of the ETA attached to it. Deputy Lyndon Farnham said it would address the gap in the security of Jersey's borders and it would "implement a more rigorous approach to people traveling to Jersey without a visa". He said: "In the same way as for countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, before a person travels to Jersey, they will need to apply for permission where aspects of any criminality must be provided through self- declaration."
IOL News
21-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Unlocking opportunities: New digital visas for film professionals in Cape Town
Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, on Wednesday announced the launch of two further digital visa initiatives in a bid to support the rollout of the pending Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, and building on the success of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS). Image: Parliament of SA Cape Town's burgeoning film industry has been given a boost through the introduction of new fast-track digital visas for visitors to South Africa in the film and exhibitions sector. The two new categories of visas have been announced by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber. The announcement has been welcomed by the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) which works with the City of Cape Town to ensure players in these sectors are catered for in the city's burgeoning film industry. The City has hailed the move, with mayco member for Economic Growth, James Vos, saying it will be a game-changer. The first initiative, called STAGES – short for Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme – will use digitisation to simplify visa access for film production companies. The second programme is the Meetings, Events, Exhibitions and Tourism Scheme (MEETS), which will enable international attendees at conferences, exhibitions, and global events to apply for visas entirely online. "This will be a game-changer for Cape Town and South Africa's film industry, opening the door to more productions, investment, and, importantly, job opportunities. "As part of our continued drive to build a thriving visitor economy, I am currently consulting stakeholders across the tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors to shape a bold new tourism strategy for Cape Town, Vos said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ From November 2023 to late June 2024, film crews booked over 59,000 bed nights, generating nearly R148 million for the hospitality industry. With major productions such as Tomb Raider, One Piece, and Avengers: Age of Ultron already filmed in the city, Cape Town's growing appeal as a filming destination has generated substantial economic spinoffs for the CBD's hospitality industry, CCID said. Grant Elliott, Chief Operating Officer of Thibault Investments and deputy chairperson of the CCID, believes the move will have numerous spin-offs for other sectors. 'These reforms will remove long-standing barriers and open the door for even greater investment into Cape Town's creative economy — with knock-on benefits for local hospitality, retail, and small businesses.' He added that the City's initiatives, combined with progressive visa policies such as the digital nomad visa, which allows applicants to live and work remotely in South Africa for a period of 36 months, is likely to deepen Cape Town's status as a year-round destination for creatives. According to the City of Cape Town's Film Permits Office, a total of 550 production shoots took place in the CBD from January 1 to May 26. For every rand spent on film production, an additional R2.50 is generated in the local economy, CCID added. In addition to this, from November 2023 to June 2024, a total of 26 573 jobs were created for freelance crew and performers. In the 2023/2024 financial year, the Cape Town Film Permit Office issued 4 757 permits – 22% more than the previous year. The CCID said it works in partnership with the City to provide security and cleaning services, among others, to maintain and manage the inner city. 'Cape Town has all the right ingredients — from stunning locations and skilled talent to a responsive city administration and vibrant hospitality scene, ' Elliott said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
