UK ETA launches next month

The UK Parliament has agreed the increased costs of visas for tourists and visitors to the country.

Those coming to the UK for a short period of time will have to pay a £10 fee, when the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) comes into effect in November 2023, with the application process opening in October.

Visitors from Qatar will be the first requiring the ETA, which will be expanded to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and UAE nationals, with more countries to be added at a later date.

In addition to the tourist visa, Parliament confirmed the cost of a visa for a visit of up to six months in the UK would increase by £15 to £115 from 4 October.

Student visas from outside the UK will also increase to £490.

Ministers said that these costs for tourists, workers and students will allow more funding ‘for public sector pay rises’.