The U.K. will expand the scope of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which was implemented for travelers visiting the country. The newly applied countries include Korea.
According to the British Telegraph on the 10th (local time), the British Ministry of Home Affairs announced on the 10th (local time) that it will expand the number of countries subject to ETA, which was only applied to some Western Asian countries.
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is a system that allows people to enter the country online before entering the country, and the U.K. introduced the ETA system in November last year. Until now, the system had been limited to some Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
According to the announcement, ETA issuance will be mandatory for almost all foreigners starting from January next year. Korea, the U.S., Canada, Japan, Singapore and Australia have been designated as eligible countries.
Applications for issuance will be available from November 27, and from January 8 next year, foreigners other than Europeans visiting the UK must carry an ETA.
In the case of Europeans, ETA will be required from April 2, and applications for issuance will be available from March next year.
ETA issuance costs 10 euros, and if you have an ETA, you can stay locally visa-free for up to six months at a time over two years.
“ETA enables stronger pre-security checks for travelers,” the UK Home Office said, helping to prevent abuse of the immigration system.
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
