The fee increase is predicted to generate an additional £269 million a year. (Image: Getty)
The government has announced a hike in the cost of an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from £10 to £16, less than a month into the scheme.
From January 8th, international visitors to the UK must apply for an ETA, while travellers from will need to do so in April.
ETAs permit multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.
Other fees that are set to increase include a certificate of sponsorship fee of £525, naturalisation as a British citizen to £1,605, and naturalisation as a British overseas territories citizen to £1,070.
According to the Home Office, the changes made to the ETAs, certificates and nationality products are predicted to generate an additional £269 million a year. This will “reduce the reliance on taxpayer funding of the migration and borders system”.
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Eligible non-Europeans need an ETA to travel to the UK, and everyone travelling needs one, including babies and children. Europeans can apply from March 5th and will need an ETA to travel from April 2nd.
Not everyone travelling to the UK will need an ETA – those who don’t have to apply for one include people with a visa and people with permission to live, work, or study in the UK. British or Irish citizens, dual citizens, and people travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport also do not need an ETA.
ETAs will deliver a “more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year,” the Home Office said. “The introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach to border security taken by many other countries, including the USA and Australia.”
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The proposed fee increases will be debated in Parliament and are subject to approval by both the and the House of Lords. If approved, they will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time allows.
The government said it had agreed on a temporary exemption for passengers who transit airside and, therefore, do not pass through UK border control in response to feedback from the aviation industry.
To apply for an ETA, travellers must pay the fee, provide contact and passport details, answer a set of questions, and provide a valid photo.
According to the Home Office, this helps UK border security as it “will increase our knowledge about those seeking to come to the UK and prevent the arrival of those who present a threat.”