Immigration Corner | Under what circumstances is an ETA needed?

Dear Mr Bassie,

What is a United Kingdom electronic travel authorisation? Also, I would like to know under what circumstances would one need to be obtained to travel to the United Kingdom.

FI

Dear FI,

Persons would need to get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) or visa to visit the United Kingdom (UK). An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) allows persons to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons for up to six months.

The ETA costs £16; other websites may charge more to apply. Persons should be aware of and avoid websites that imitate the United Kingdom government services. Please be reminded that an ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK.

PERSONS WHO NEED AN ETA

Most visitors travelling to the UK need an ETA or a visa. Those persons who need one will depend on their nationality and why they are going to the UK.

Please note that visitors usually need an ETA rather than a visa if they are from Europe, the United States of America, Australia, Canada or certain other countries. Prospectives visitors are advised to check whether they need an ETA or visa to travel to the UK.

There are some persons who do not need an ETA, for example, if they have:

• A British or Irish passport

• Permission to live, work or study in the UK

Please note that those persons who are travelling as a family or group, each person travelling within the group will need an ETA, including babies and children. Persons are also permitted to apply on behalf of other people in certain circumstances.

PERSONS WHO DO NOT NEED AN ETA

Persons will not need an ETA to travel to the UK if:

• They are a British or Irish citizen

• They have a UK visa

• They have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)

• They are transiting through a UK airport and they will not pass through border control – persons should check with their airline if they are not sure

• They are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport

• They are travelling with a British National (Overseas) passport

• They live in Ireland and they are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

• they are a child travelling on the France-UK school trip travel information form

• They are exempt from immigration control or do not need to get permission to enter

DUAL CITIZENS

Those persons who are dual citizens with British or Irish citizenship, cannot get an ETA. When they travel to the UK, they will need to prove their citizenship using:

• A valid British passport

• A valid Irish passport

• Another valid passport containing a certificate of entitlement

PERSONS DO NOT NEED AN ETA IF THEY ARE BOTH:

• From a country that would normally need an ETA to travel to the UK; and

• Entering the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

Please note that if they are from a country that needs a visa, they will need to apply for a visa before travelling to the UK.

I hope this helps.

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com