An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system is now in effect in the United Kingdom (UK). British High Commissioner for the Eastern Caribbean Scott Furssedonn-Wood said at a press conference that Saint Lucians who would like to visit the UK must obtain an ETA beforehand.
But the rule doesn’t apply to Saint Lucians alone.
“This is a global programme,” he said, that it’s used by many countries and most travellers will be familiar with it.
However, he stated, “If you aren’t granted one, you then have to apply for a full visa to enter the United Kingdom, but for the vast majority of people, it’s a simple process. It’s not even a piece of paper or a stamp on your passport, it’s digitally connected and your passport then gives you full access as you would be used to.”
The ETA took effect on January 08th and allows individuals to travel to the UK for up to six months. Whether you can apply depends on the date you travel and the nationality shown on your passport, a post on gov.uk stated.
Individuals from the following countries (and associated territories) can apply for an ETA now:
– Antigua and Barbuda
– Argentina
– Australia
– The Bahamas
– Bahrain
– Barbados
– Belize
– Botswana
– Brazil
– Brunei
– Canada
– Chile
– Costa Rica
– Grenada
– Guatemala
– Guyana
– Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas)
– Israel
– Japan
– Kiribati
– Kuwait
– Macao Special Administrative Region
– Malaysia
– Maldives
– Marshall Islands
– Mauritius
– Mexico
– Federated States of Micronesia
– Nauru
– New Zealand
– Nicaragua
– Oman
– Palau
– Panama
– Papua New Guinea
– Paraguay
– Peru
– Qatar
– Samoa
– Saudi Arabia
– Seychelles
– Singapore
– Solomon Islands
– South Korea
– St Kitts and Nevis
– St Lucia
– St Vincent and the Grenadines
– Taiwan (if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan)
– Tonga
– Trinidad and Tobago
– Tuvalu
– United Arab Emirates
– United States
– Uruguay
High Commissioner Furssedonn-Wood said the ETA will cement the UK as a world leader in border security.
“Once they have that Electronic Travel Authorization any traveller can travel to the UK multiple times for a two-year period staying for up to six months at a time,” he said.
But the ETAs are not visas, High Commissioner Furssedonn-Wood added.
So, what’s the difference between an ETA and a visa?
“The ETA is for citizens of visa-exempt countries, such as the U.S., who are visiting the U.K. for short stays (up to six months) for tourism, business, or study. A visa is required for individuals travelling for longer periods or purposes like work or long-term study”, Austin Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) noted in a post on its website.
The ETA, on the other hand, is done “entirely online, making it a quicker and simpler option than a visa, which often requires more documentation, in-person appointments, and longer processing times. The ETA costs significantly less than most visa applications,” ABIA added.
The UK is charging £10 per person for an ETA.
Gov.uk says those applying for an ETA must provide their biographic, biometric and contact details, and answer a short set of suitability questions.
“This will increase our knowledge about those seeking to come to the UK and prevent the arrival of those who present a threat,” the website stated.