**Date:** September 4, 2023
*United Kingdom (UK):*
The United Kingdom (UK) has introduced a new travel requirement for visitors, including Nigerians, who wish to enter the country. Effective from November 15, 2023, all visitors, except British and Irish nationals, must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering or transiting through the UK. This requirement applies to both adults and children.
The ETA is mandatory for all visa applicants intending to travel to the UK. It includes individuals who were previously eligible to visit the UK without a visa and are not legally resident in the UK. This new requirement covers various purposes of travel, such as tourism, visiting family and friends, business trips, short-term study, and transit.
To obtain an ETA, applicants must apply online before making any travel arrangements to the UK. Once granted, the ETA will be valid for multiple journeys over a two-year period or until the expiration of the passport used during the application.
Travelers with valid visas may not be allowed to board their flights to the UK without a valid ETA, as the ETA is digitally linked to the traveler’s passport.
The UK Home Office emphasized that while an ETA grants permission to travel to the UK, it does not guarantee entry. Travelers will still be required to go through passport control at the UK border to gain entry.
The statement from the UK Home Office also advised travelers to use the same passport for applying for the ETA and to ensure that their passport is valid for the entire duration of their stay in the UK.
This new ETA requirement represents a significant change in UK travel policy and applies to a wide range of travelers, so those planning to visit the UK should take note and plan accordingly.
