UK introduces Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Visa Free nations

The UK will launch its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme in the latter part of 2023. Reports suggest that the first phase rollout will begin in November 2023. The ETA initiative by the government of the UK will simplify travel for people across the globe. At the same time, it is expected to bring better regulation and structure to the procedure.

The initiative comes as a paradigm shift for all the nations which were previously eligible to visit the country for short periods without requiring a Visa. The nations will now need to apply for an ETA or Electronic Travel Authorisation ahead of their planned trip.

The initiative will ensure that every tourist seeking to travel to the UK has sought permission to do so before travelling. However, the government of the United Kingdom has initiative does not include British or Irish Citizens. As such, the ETA will allow the United Kingdom to exercise more control over their short-term travel arrivals.

As per the official statement given out by the government sources, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme will apply to those passengers visiting the UK or transiting the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays. The introduction of ETAs will be a significant change for many people who can travel to the UK without any prior interaction with the Home Office.

As per the sources, the country seeks to regulate travel from various countries across the globe into their nation. The ETA will be launched in phases. The citizens of Qatar will be the first to require an ETA or Electronic Travel Authorization for travelling to the United Kingdom. The ETA rollout will start in November 2023.

Meanwhile, the authorities of the UK have claimed that by 2024, all the countries across the globe, earlier eligible for Visa-Free Access to the UK for short-duration travels, will need an ETA. This will streamline the travel processes for both the government and the people.

List of Non-Visa Nationals currently eligible for travel to the UK is as follows:

1. Andorra
2. Antigua and Barbuda
3. Argentina
4. Australia
5. Austria
6. Bahamas
7. Barbados
8. Belgium
9. Belize
10. Botswana
11. Brazil
12. Brunei
13. Bulgaria
14. Canada
15. Chile
16. Colombia
17. Costa Rica
18. Croatia
19. Cyprus
20. Czechia
21. Denmark
22. Dominica
23. Estonia
24. Finland
25. France
26. Germany
27. Greece
28. Grenada
29. Guatemala
30. Guyana
31. Honduras
32. Hungary
33. Iceland
34. Ireland
35. Israel
36. Italy
37. Japan
38. South Korea
39. Latvia
40. Lithuania
41. Luxembourg
42. Malaysia
43. Maldives
44. Malta
45. Mauritius
46. Mexico
47. Monaco
48. Namibia
49. Netherlands
50. New Zealand
51. Nicaragua
52. Norway
53. Panama
54. Papua New Guinea
55. Paraguay
56. Peru
57. Poland
58. Portugal
59. Romania
60. St Kitts & Nevis
61. St Lucia
62. St Vincent & Grenadines
63. Samoa
64. San Marino
65. Seychelles
66. Singapore
67. Slovakia
68. Slovenia
69. Solomon Islands
70. Spain
71. Sweden
72. Switzerland
73. Timor Leste
74. Tonga
75. Trinidad & Tobago
76. Tuvalu
77. USA
78. Uruguay
79. Vanuatu