UK plans to impose Electronic visa authorization (ETA) post Brexit and will also eliminate the use of national identity cards at the borders. This was proposed in the future skills-based immigration system white paper sets out the government’s plans to introduce a new single immigration system, ending free movement.
After the UK’s exit free movement system imposed by the EU so that the UK Immigration Rules will apply to EU and non-EU migrants alike in a single skills-based system. There will be no visit visas required for citizens of current EU Member States
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
The proposed introduction of ETAs will affect all non-visa nationals (NVNs) (excluding EEA nationals) entering the UK. Currently, non-visa nationals (excluding EEA nationals) only require a passport to enter the UK as visitors, and they have little or no contact with the Home Office prior to their arrival. In short, ETA will apply for all visa waiver countries who enter UK except those from European Economic Area (EEA).
The European Economic Area (EEA) created in Jan 1, 1994, combination of EU Member States and the three EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) to enable goods, services, capital, and persons to move freely about the EEA in an open and competitive environment.
ETA will be valid for multiple entries over an extended period. The ETA scheme is under development and requires primary legislation according to the whitepaper.
The proposed ETA scheme is similar to the approach taken by European Union, USA and Canada. The USA introduced their Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) in January 2009 and the ETA became mandatory in Canada in November 2016 and EU to introduce ETIAS by early 2021.
The Home Department said, “Introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) as part of a universal ‘permission to travel’ requirement to strengthen our ability to prevent the arrival of those who present a threat to our borders. ETAs will give both passengers and carriers more certainty and reduce the costs associated with being refused entry at the border. In 2017, around 12,700 passengers were refused entry at the UK border, and there are several costs associated with doing this” the whitepaper said.
The ETA scheme will require applicants to complete a light-touch online application form, which will enable the Government to conduct security checks on passengers and make more informed decisions on information obtained at an earlier stage, as to whether individuals should be allowed to travel to the UK. It will also provide individuals with more assurance at an earlier point in time about their ability to travel.
Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW)
At present UK offers electronic visa waiver (EVW) to nationals of four countries Kuwait, Oman, Qatar or the United Arab Emirates costing £15 for an EVW.
National Identity cards
EU citizens may travel on national identity cards rather than passports. These identity cards can be insecure and open to fraud and abuse. All other nationals, including British citizens, must present a national passport to enter the UK.
Electronic Gates
Nationals from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea will be allowed to use e-gates to enter the UK from next summer onwards. In 2017, 10.2 million people arrived from these countries and crossed the UK border, constituting over half of all arrivals from outside the EEA
Brexit
The UK will leave the EU on 29 March 2019. There will be an Implementation Period, planned to run until 31 December 2020, during which current rules will continue to apply. During that time, EU citizens will be able to enter and reside under the terms of the UK Regulations which implement the current, pre-Exit rules.
EU citizens and their family members who wish to remain in the UK after the end of the Implementation Period must apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. They have until June 2021 to do so, if the Implementation Period ends on 31 December 2020.
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