UK’s Dh47 ETA permit officially expands to European travellers

Dubai: Travellers from Europe heading to the UK will now need prior approval through the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system - a move that adds an extra step for millions of visitors. 

Starting April 2, all European nationals except Irish citizens must apply for an ETA before travelling. This follows the scheme’s expansion earlier this year to US, Canada, and Australian visitors and its initial rollout in November 2024 for UAE and GCC travellers. 

Applications for European visitors open today (March 5), and while GCC travellers have welcomed the ETA for simplifying entry, European citizens now face stricter pre-travel requirements. Previously, EU nationals could enter the UK without prior approval. 

The UK Home Office has defended the move, calling it part of a “more streamlined, digital immigration system” to improve security and efficiency. 

Despite the added requirements for some travellers, the UK remains a popular destination for GCC nationals. UAE travel firms report a sharp increase in holiday bookings since winter, driven in part by the ease of the ETA system for GCC residents. 

“The first half of 2024 saw a record 512,000 visits from the GCC, up 25 per cent from the previous year,” a British Embassy spokesperson told Gulf News in an earlier interview, attributing the rise to the ETA rollout, which has made travel “easier, cheaper, and more flexible” for GCC visitors. 

The ETA replaces the single-use Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) scheme and offers a more cost-effective, multi-entry alternative. The permit, valid for two years or until the passport expires, allows multiple visits of up to six months each. 

The UK government clarifies that an ETA is not a visa but a travel authorisation. While most approvals are granted within minutes, the Home Office advises travellers to apply in advance. Interestingly, passengers can begin their journey to the UK even if their ETA approval is still pending.

The EU is also planning to introduce its own electronic travel permit, known as ETIAS. However, it can only be implemented after the new electronic border control system, known as the Entry-Exit System (EES), has been launched and this has suffered numerous delays. ETIAS is a planned electronic authorisation system of the European Union for visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen Area, as well as Cyprus.