The introduction of the new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme in the United Kingdom will have an impact on US students visiting UK universities and likely students studying abroad for less than 6 months.
The ETA is a digital travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers visiting the United Kingdom, which will be required for boarding a plane for travel to the country. This new scheme is designed to strengthen the control and compliance of UK borders, and the ETA application process is expected to take less than 15 minutes with a decision provided within 78 hours.
For US students and families interested in visiting UK universities, this means that they will need to apply for an ETA before traveling to the United Kingdom. This additional step in the travel process may cause some inconvenience, but it is not expected to significantly impact the number of US students visiting the country. The ETA is similar to the ESTA in the United States, which US citizens are already familiar with. Overall, the ETA scheme is a measure to enhance border security and compliance, but it will not be a significant hindrance for US student visits.
When will this come into effect?
The scheme is set out into three separate phases. The first phase will be starting in 2023, however the US will probably be affected in 2024 as it will be phased in over time. The Home Office claims that the scheme will be completed and live for all visa-exempt travelers by the end of 2024. The UK Study Expert will be monitoring this information.
How will this affect study abroad students?
US study abroad students who are studying a semester for less than 6 months and aren’t required to apply for a visa, may be affected if starting their studies after September 2024.
How Much Does it Cost to apply for the UK ETA?
Full details of the British Home Office have not been released yet, but travel and immigration experts have determined it will likely cost between $5 and $20 USD for US citizens based on similar schemes in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and what non citizens pay for an ESTA to visit the US.
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