Immigration Corner | ETA uses and ways to apply for one

Dear Mr Bassie,

I am a citizen of the United States of America and I plan to visit the United Kingdom. I know that I am required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to gain entry and I would like to know what this permits me to do while I am over there.

I look forward to your response.

– F.V.

Dear F.V.,

Persons travelling to the United Kingdom (UK) should know that an ETA is a new requirement for citizens of countries who would like to visit England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland without a visa for short trips. This also includes citizens of the United States of America (USA).

WHAT PERSONS CAN AND CANNOT DO WITH AN ETA

Please note whether persons need to apply for an ETA will depend on the reason they are travelling to the UK. Please be aware that an ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. Those persons who have a criminal record or were previously refused entry into the UK, may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead.

WHAT PERSONS CAN DO WITH AN ETA

With an ETA persons can go to the UK for up to six months for tourism, visiting family and friends, on a business trip or for short-term study. They can go there for up to three months on the Creative Worker visa concession and use it for a permitted paid engagement. It can also be used to transit through a UK airport if they pass through border control. Persons should check with their airline if they are not sure. Persons going to the UK for another reason, should check if they need a visa instead.

WHAT PERSONS CANNOT DO WITH AN ETA

Persons cannot stay in the UK for longer than six months and they cannot do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person unless they are doing a permitted paid engagement or event or work on the Creative Worker visa concession.

Persons cannot claim public funds (benefits) or live in the UK through frequent or successive visits. They cannot marry or register a civil partnership or give notice of marriage or civil partnership – they will need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa.

APPLYING FOR AN ETA

It should be noted that it costs £16 to apply online or through the UK ETA app. Persons should be aware that they cannot get a refund after applying. Also, they cannot get a faster decision by applying through another website or app.

Persons will need:

• The passport they will travel with

• An email address

• A credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay

When applying, they will need to upload or take photos of the face of the person applying.

Persons can apply for someone else’s ETA on the UK ETA app if they are with that person at the time of applying. If the person they are applying for is not with them, that person must apply for their ETA online. Persons will need a photo of their passport and a photo of their face.

APPLY ON THE UK ETA APP

Persons will need to use their phone’s camera to scan their passport and face. They should download the UK ETA app on:

• Google Play; or

• The App Store

If they cannot download the app on your phone, they should then opt to apply online.

APPLY ONLINE

Please note that when applying online Persons will need a photo of the passport and the face of the person applying

AFTER APPLYING

After applying, persons will get a decision by email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), usually within a day. The email will contain their 16-digit ETA reference number. Persons who have not received a decision after three working days should contact UKVI. Please note that persons may receive decisions at different times to other people for whom they have applied.

It should be further noted that the ETA will be linked to the passport they applied with and they only need to show their passport when they travel to the UK. An ETA lasts for two years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner. Persons can travel to the UK as many times as they want while they have an ETA.

Just for completeness, if applicants need further assistance they can read the guide to using the UK ETA app; watch the ‘What is an ETA?’ video on YouTube; or watch the ‘How to apply for an ETA’ video on YouTube.

Good luck!

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com