From next January, Barbadians will need advance permission to travel to the United Kingdom, as the British government moves forward with its plan to digitise its border and immigration system to enhance security.
Implementation dates for the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme were announced by the government on Tuesday, with the next roll out phase set to impact travellers from the Caribbean.
“Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance of coming here,” a statement issued by the British High Commission stated. “This can be either through an Electronic Travel Authorisation or an eVisa.”
From November 27 this year, eligible non-Europeans can apply for an ETA. They will need the ETA to travel from January 8, 2025. ETAs will then extend to eligible Europeans who will need an ETA to travel from April 2, 2025.
An ETA costs £10 (BDS$26.45) and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years, or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.
ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and ensure more robust security checks are carried out before people begin their journey to the UK, helping to prevent abuse of our immigration system, the UK statement said.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, said digitisation “enables a smooth experience for the millions of people who pass through the border every year, including the visitors we warmly welcome to the UK….”
“The worldwide expansion of the ETA demonstrates our commitment to enhance security through new technology and embedding a modern immigration system,” Malhotra added.
The government said the introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach many other countries have taken to border security, including the US and Australia.
People who need a visa to live, work or study in the UK are now issued with an eVisa, providing digital proof of immigration status, instead of physical immigration documents.
The government has also advised migrants in the UK who currently use a physical immigration document, including a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), or a passport containing ink stamps or visa vignette stickers, to create an online account to access their eVisa. It said most BRPs are due to expire at the end of this year. (PR/BT)
