Except for British and Irish citizens anybody travelling to the UK from 2 April will need an electronic travel authorisation, or ETA, in addition to an international passport. This new permit is not a visa, but a kind of digital security check for travellers who do not need a visa to visit the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. You can now apply for the permit via the UK government's app and website .
Travelling to the UK soon? Applications for ETAs (electronic travel authorisations) open!
Colin Clapson
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Updated:
Before Brexit, the UK's exit from the European Union, you could travel to the UK on your Belgian ID card. Since 1 October 2021, you have needed an international passport. In addition to this international passport electronic travel authorisation or ETA is also required from 2 April.
That electronic travel authorisation is not a visa, but an advance security check by the UK government. Among other things, the permit checks whether you have a criminal record, and is compulsory for anyone wishing to stay in the UK for up to six months, whether that be for tourism, studies or business.
If you are travelling to the UK soon, you can now submit your application for an electronic travel authorisation via the UK home ministry's app or website. According to the UK government, approval of the permit should take around 3 days, but the UK foreign ministry still recommends submitting the application well in time.
Once approved, the permit will be linked to your passport and you will be able to travel to the UK multiple times for stays of up to 6 months for a period of 2 years.
The permit is currently great value for money as it still only costs 10 pounds sterling, about 12 euros. That price will rise to around €19 in the coming months.
Travel permit also required for babies and children
When applying for the permit, you have to answer several security questions and also fill in your address and work details. In addition, you need to upload a photo of your passport and face. Importantly: anyone travelling to the UK will need a permit, including babies and children.
Anne Sherriff, the UK ambassador to Belgium: 'The introduction of the ETA scheme is in line with the approach many other countries have taken to border security and will help prevent the arrival of those who present a threat to the UK. It’s easy to apply for an ETA through the ‘UK ETA app’, which can be downloaded from the internet. You can also apply on the UK government website GOV.UK if you do not have access to a smartphone.'
The UK government advises travellers with criminal records or who have previously been refused entry to the country to apply for a standard visa.