East Timorese citizens visiting the United Kingdom (UK) must obtain a UK visa. This change, implemented in July 2023, marks the end of visa-free travel for East Timorese nationals to the UK.
Citizens of East Timor, also now called Timor-Leste, were previously exempt from visa requirements when coming to the UK. When the new digital travel permit scheme is implemented, they would only need to apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorization (UK ETA).
However, they must now follow a more stringent process of applying for a visa to enter the UK. The UK visa alternatives for a UK ETA are the UK Standard Visitor visa, Transit visa, or Temporary Creative Work visa.
UK ETA Alternatives for East Timorese Citizens
Since the UK ETA is no longer available to East Timorese citizens, those planning to visit the UK must consider alternative visa options. The following are the most relevant for short stays.
1. UK Standard Visitor visa
This visa is ideal for East Timorese citizens visiting the UK for leisure, permitted business activities, or short study courses. It allows travelers to stay in the UK for up to six months for activities like attending conferences or spending holidays with family and friends.
There are more types of UK visitor visas for those who need to stay for more than six months.
2. UK transit visa
East Timorese citizens passing through the UK to another destination need a UK transit visa. This applies to all travelers, regardless of whether they will go through immigration checks.
There are two types: A Direct Airside Transit visa is for those not passing through border control. Those going through border control will need a Visitor in Transit visa.
A transit visa allows travelers to stay in the UK for up to 48 hours while they wait for their connecting flights.
3. Temporary Creative Worker visa
This visa is intended for those planning to engage in short-term work within the UK’s creative sector. It is suitable for artists, performers, or filmmakers who UK-based companies have sponsored to carry out professional work in the country.
The Temporary Creative Worker visa allows temporary stays of up to 12 months or the time specified in their Certificate of Sponsorship.
UK ETA vs. UK Visa
Applying for a UK visa is more complex, expensive, and time-consuming than applying for a UK ETA.
Non-visa travelers may receive a UK ETA within minutes or up to three days. On the other hand, processing a UK visa application takes at least three weeks to process. This is because it involves submitting documentary requirements and an in-person visa appointment.
The UK visa fees for alternatives to the UK ETA are higher. A UK Standard Visitor visa application costs £115. Transit visa fees range from £35 to £64. The Temporary Creative Worker visa fee is £298, but applicants must also pay a health surcharge fee.
The earliest a traveler can apply for a UK visa is three months before their intended travel date. Since they must receive a UK visa before their trip, travel plans must be adjusted accordingly.
How to apply for a UK visa
For East Timorese citizens, applying for a UK visa involves several steps. Here’s a straightforward guide to help navigate the process:
Step 1: Determine the visa you need
Identify the specific UK visa you need based on the purpose of your visit—whether it’s a Standard Visitor visa, transit visa, or Temporary Creative Worker visa.
Step 2: Gather the required documents
Prepare the necessary documentation for a UK visa application. This typically includes:
- A valid passport
- A recent passport-sized color photograph
- A completed online visa application form
- Proof of financial capacity, such as bank statements or pay slips
- Details of your UK accommodation and travel itinerary
- Evidence of ties to their home country, like employment letters or proof of property ownership
Step 3: Complete the online application
Visit the UK Government’s visa application website and complete the online form. Ensure that all information is accurate and complete. After filling out the form, applicants must pay their visa application fee using a credit or debit card.
Step 4: Schedule a visa appointment
Once the online application form is submitted, the applicant must book an appointment at the nearest visa application center. Travelers can choose a time and location that is convenient for them.
Step 5: Attend the visa appointment
Applicants must bring all the required documents and passports on their visa appointment day. Depending on the type of visa they applied for, travelers may also need to provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a photograph, at the visa application center.
Step 6: Wait for the decision
Visa processing times vary, so check the UK Government website for estimated processing times. Applicants will be notified by email once a decision is made. They must collect their passports at the visa application center.
Tips on applying for a UK visa
While the complexity and duration of UK visa processing times are out of an applicant’s control, there are ways to ensure that it will not hinder or delay your travel plans. Follow these tips for a swift and efficient UK ETA online application.
- Apply early: Submit a UK visa application well in advance of one’s planned travel dates.
- Double-check information: Ensure that all application details are accurate to prevent delays. This also pertains to the documents applicants must provide and bring to the visa application center during their appointment.
- Stay informed: Review any specific requirements for East Timorese citizens on the UK Government’s website to ensure you have all the necessary documentation.
Traveling with a UK visa
A UK visa will be evident in travelers’ passports, usually a vignette sticker on a blank passport page for single entry, short-stay visas.
Multiple entry or long-stay visas are digitally linked to travelers’ passports via their UK Immigration and Visas (UKVI) account. This is for those who submitted biometric data at the visa application center.
Departure to the UK
Before boarding a plane, ship, train, or coach, carriers will check if travelers have the appropriate permission-to-travel document. Carriers will only allow boarding to East Timorese travelers who can present a valid UK visa.
Arrival in the UK
Once travelers arrive in the UK with an approved visa, they must present their passport and other travel documents to the UK Border Force.
If asked, be prepared to provide proof of onward travel. This typically means presenting a ticket to leave the UK within six months of arrival.
East Timorese travelers must also be ready to provide evidence that they have enough money to support themselves throughout their stay in the UK and for their trip back home.
It’s important to note that UK visa holders may still be refused entry if they fail a border check or meet other entry conditions.
Once past border security, East Timorese visitors with an approved visa can freely travel between the UK’s four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
They can use all modes of transportation in the UK. Before boarding a ferry or an internal flight within the UK, they only need to present an ID, usually a passport or driving license.
A UK Standard Visitor visa is not valid in Ireland or other European countries
.However, remember that a UK visa does not grant entry to the Republic of Ireland or other European countries. The UK is not a member of the European Union or the Schengen Common Travel Zone.
East Timorese travelers visiting Ireland or other European countries must inquire about the country’s entry requirements before booking their travel.
Understanding the UK ETA
Although East Timorese citizens must now apply for a standard visa, understanding the ETA process is still relevant, as it provides a model of how the UK handles border security.
The UK ETA is a new digital permit designed for citizens of visa-waiver countries visiting the UK for short stays or less than six months. It is mandatory for all travelers using flights, ferries, trains, or vehicles crossing the channel.
The system is part of the UK’s strategy to strengthen border security and streamline the entry process for low-risk travelers. It allows the government to pre-screen individuals before they arrive in the country.
Ultimately, the goal is to prevent illegal immigration, disrupt organized crime, and identify potential security threats ahead of time.
Travelers must have a UK ETA before their trip to the UK. It is a must for those visiting for leisure, permitted business activities, and short-course studies.
Those transiting or changing planes in the UK and those under the Creative Worker visa concession also need a UK ETA.
Benefits of the UK ETA
The UK ETA system offers several benefits to travelers who can visit the UK without a visa.
Streamlined process
The UK ETA application is entirely online, quick, and paperless. Eligible travelers can complete the process in less than 20 minutes and typically receive a decision within three days.
Cost-effective
The fee for a UK ETA is only £10 per application. This makes it an affordable option for short-term travel compared to other international travel authorizations.
Long-term validity
Once granted, a UK ETA is valid for multiple short visits to the UK over two years. Travelers must only reapply once the permission or the passport it is linked to expires, if the passport is lost, or if their passport information changes.