ETA? ETIAS? EES? E-I-E-I-O?

We saw this topic recently in a Facebook group … A traveler flying through London wanting to know whether they will need an ETIAS. The responses came quickly, but it took a lot of scrolling to get to a semi-accurate answer — no and maybe — amid the confusion.

That’s because there are two travel acronyms in the news right now — the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) that went into effect January 8 for the United Kingdom AND the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) that is scheduled to go into effect later this year.

So no, they won’t need an ETIAS. They might need an ETA, and we recommend they get it regardless. We’ll explain …

ETA

The ETA is now a requirement for travelers going to or transiting through the United Kingdom who do not need a visa for their stay. The UK includes not only England, but Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Most of us from the United States will need an ETA going to the British Isles. Without one, you could be denied boarding. With one, you will still go through passport control once you arrive.

With your ETA in hand — actually, it’s electronically linked to your passport — you can visit up to six months for tourism, short-term study, business, and pass through the airport if your layover includes going through border control.

Your ETA will be good for two years of visits, or until your linked passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you must get a new ETA.

As the rules are currently written, one does not need an ETA to transit airside (not passing through border control) for a connecting flight.

Because anything can happen during a layover, however, we strongly recommend anyone connecting in London (or elsewhere in the UK) to get the ETA. The cost is 10 British Pounds and will be well-worth the price if flight cancellations or other unforeseen problems derail your travel plans.

For most travelers, processing time should not exceed three business days. For more information and to apply, visit the official ETA site.

ETIAS

The ETIAS has not yet been implemented in the European Union, but it will affect US travelers to these countries:

We know less about the ETIAS simply because it is not in effect yet. Implementation is scheduled for six months after the EU’s EES (Entry/Exit System) is up and running. EES is the electronic system that’s going to register all of us non-EU nationals as we come and go.

Your ETIAS will be good for short-term arrivals throughout the European Union over a three-year period, or until your linked passport expires. Its cost is listed as 7 Euros.

You can keep up with ETIAS development at the European Union’s dedicated site.