UK to enforce travel permit requirement on foreign visitors

Beginning on Wednesday, February 25, visitors from 85 countries, including Singapore, will need to get an electronic permit before traveling to the UK, according to the UK interior ministry. This new rule is part of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) program, which requires all travelers who do not need a visa to apply for this permit online for a fee of 16 pounds (approximately US$21.57). The ETA scheme was launched in 2023 and was expanded to include European visitors in April of the previous year, but it has not been enforced strictly until now. Starting February 25, travelers to the UK must have an ETA to board their flights. Airlines will not allow passengers without an ETA, eVisa, or other valid documents to fly, the interior ministry stated. British and Irish citizens, as well as those with the right to reside in the UK, do not need an ETA. Migration minister Mike Tapp emphasized that the ETA program is essential for enhancing the UK's border security and improving services for visitors and the public. In October of last year, the European Union (EU) began implementing new post-Brexit border checks for UK citizens entering the EU, following Britain's exit from the bloc in 2020. The EU’s Entry/Exit System allows for digital records instead of manually stamping passports at external borders.