Changes to access the UK from 2025

Borders will no longer be open to access the UK as before, and a new system will be imposed on all countries that access the UK with visa-free.

The UK Home Office recently announced changes to access the UK, to include 165 countries from which travellers must follow the new system.

Previously, the Conservative government launched the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, specifically in November 2023, and began applying it to Gulf countries first, after which it will include countries outside the European Union and then countries in the European Union in two steps.

Access the UK with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

From January 8, a new system will be imposed on those wishing to access the UK, which was previously limited to Gulf countries. Travellers will need to obtain an electronic travel authorisation before entering the UK, which will be implemented in two steps. First, this decision will include 165 countries except Europeans, starting from the beginning of 2025, and then Europeans themselves, starting from March 2025.

In this regard, British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said about access the UK: “From April 2, the system will be expanded to include all European nationals. Electronic travel permits linked to a digital passport will ensure stricter procedures before people start their journey to access the UK. She added that this step will prevent abuse of the immigration system and support travelers who will stay for up to 6 months at a time.”

This non-physical visa is called ETA, which stands for Electronic Travel Authorization, and will be imposed on all nationalities except British and Irish nationals wishing to access the UK for the purposes of visiting, transiting, engaging in certain creative work activities and visiting acquaintances, but this permit will not be accepted for work purposes.

The application is submitted via the British ETA application or the government website and the permit is delivered within 3 days, and will cost £10 and will be valid for two years with the possibility of staying for up to 6 months. As for those who wish to stay for more than 6 months or are considering working, they must apply for a British visa.

The cost of access the UK with the ETA system will be (£10), equivalent to about 12 euros, and the permit will be valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Travelers will be able to stay in Britain for a maximum of 6 months, as a single visit during this period or multiple trips.

Data and steps required to access the UK

From the data that is filled out electronically, you need a valid passport, a personal photo, an active bank card and a working email. The steps are to enter personal data and attach the required documents, then pay the system fees through the two portals mentioned above.

The result will reach you within 3 days on the same registered mail and the permit will be linked to the registered passport and the result will be accepted or rejected, the system will handle the applications itself, and if there are applications from people who have been rejected or have committed a crime in the past, they will be passed for manual review by human officers to allow or reject the permit.

What are the rest of the updates regarding entering the UK?

Earlier this year, Britain cancelled the electronic visa system for Jordanian citizens and now they must obtain a visa at the actual embassies. Cooper issued this measure due to misuse by some Jordanian citizens when entering the United Kingdom and confirmed that cooperation and relations with Jordan will remain good after this measure.

Just as Britain imposes the ETA system on Europeans, the Europeans will also impose the electronic ETAS system starting in the summer of 2025, which will be valid for 3 years with unlimited entry to the European Union and other countries such as Norway and Switzerland.

As for the rest of the amendments that will come into effect in October 2024, they are the cancellation of the Diplomatic Visa Program (DVWs) and its replacement with the (DVA) program. Recently, a special VIP visa was launched for delegations accompanying heads of state and ministers.

It is worth noting that countries such as America, Canada, Australia and some Caribbean countries can travel to Britain without a visa. If you wish to obtain a second citizenship from one of the Caribbean countries in order to access the UK and the rest of the world, please contact us as an accredited company for obtaining citizenship by investment, and all the details will be explained by one of our expert consultants.