The Home Office has announced that the ETA system will affect those planning to visit the UK from 2023/2024 onwards. Specifically, travellers who currently fall under the visa waiver programme will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they can enter the country. This guide provides information about the requirements and process for obtaining the UK ETA for Monacan citizens, including guidance on eligibility criteria, application processing times and other useful details for making a successful application.
What Is the UK ETA for Monacan Citizens?
The UK ETA for Monacan citizens is a new digital travel authorisation permit that will be linked to travellers’ biometric passports. The system does not replace the current UK visa but affects citizens of countries that are currently visa-exempt, such as Monaco. All Monacan citizens planning to visit the UK from the end of 2023 should apply for an ETA. The system will be fully implemented by the end of 2024, at which point all Monacan citizens travelling to the UK must have a valid ETA.
The main advantage of the ETA over a visa is that travellers can apply online, which should make the process quicker and simpler. Programmes similar to the UK’s ETA system include Australia’s ETA and America’s ESTA. The UK ETA system allows eligible travellers from 92 countries to enter the UK for tourism, business medical treatment and family purposes.
ETA holders can stay in the UK for up to six months and enjoy all that the country has to offer, from its busy cities and historic towns to its scenic countryside. For those travellers planning to visit the UK for work purposes, however, it is critical to note that a visa is required. Work visas are typically issued for a specific period of time and allow holders to engage in paid employment in the UK.
How Will the New System Affect Monacan Citizens?
Monaco is considered a developed country with strict immigration rules and policies. The Monegasque passport is currently ranked 15th among global passports. Monacan citizens can access 177 countries visa-free. The Schengen Agreement, which came into effect in 1995, abolished passports and internal border controls between 26 European countries. This makes travelling to Monaco’s neighbouring countries much easier for Monaco citizens, as they do not need a visa to travel within the Schengen zone.
The UK is not part of the Schengen zone, but they have a visa-waiver programme in place that allows Monacan citizens to enter the UK without a visa. However, with the UK government scrapping the visa-waiver programme and replacing it with the ETA system, all of that will change. Monacan citizens will need to apply for the ETA before leaving for the UK.
Applying for the UK ETA for Monacan Citizens
Applying for a UK visa can be a lengthy and tedious process. There are a number of different applications that need to be completed, and a wide range of supporting documents must be submitted. In many cases, the applicant will also need to attend an interview. The entire process can take several weeks, and there is often a long wait for a decision to be made. This can be frustrating for those who are trying to travel to the UK for work or medical treatment.
Luckily, applying for a UK ETA for Monacan citizens is a much simpler process than applying for a visa. First, applicants will need to fill out an online form with their personal information. Then, they will need to submit the form for approval. The entire process can be completed in just a few minutes, and there is no need to provide extensive documentation or undergo an interview.
UK ETA Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the UK ETA, applicants must be from one of the 92 countries on the list of eligible countries. There are some exemptions as to who needs to apply for the ETA. These ETA-exempt individuals include British passport holders, British Overseas citizens, British subjects, British Overseas Territories citizens and Irish passport holders.
The exemption for Irish passport holders is due to the Common Travel Area agreement between the UK and Ireland. This agreement allows citizens of both countries to freely travel, study, live and work in either country without the need for a visa. Read more about the eligibility criteria here.
UK ETA Requirements
Monacan travellers must have a valid electronic passport to apply for their UK ETA. If they do not have a valid passport, they will need to obtain one from their local government agency. They should also ensure that their passport has at least six months of remaining validity. In addition, applicants must demonstrate that they intend to stay in the UK for less than six months.
The purpose of their stay must be business, tourism or transit. Finally, applicants must not be deemed as a threat to public safety or national security. Those who have previous violations of any immigration policy in any country may be deemed ineligible for the ETA. Learn more about the UK ETA requirements here.
UK ETA Application
There are several requirements that applicants should have on hand before beginning the application process. These requirements include:
Personal Information
Monacans will need to provide some personal information, such as their full name, date of birth and gender. They’ll also need to provide their passport information, such as passport number, date of issuance and expiry date. Lastly, applicants will need to provide contact information, such as an email address and phone number.
Work Information
Applicants will also need to provide some work information, such as their employer’s name and email address. If the applicant is self-employed, they will need to provide similar information about their business.
Eligibility Questions
Applicants will be asked a series of questions to determine their eligibility for a UK ETA. For example, they’ll be asked if they have any criminal convictions, terrorism-related charges, drug possession and usage, or if they’ve ever been refused entry into the UK. Applicants should answer these questions truthfully; if an application is denied because the applicant misrepresented themselves, they may be banned from applying for a UK ETA in the future.
Payment
After completing the application form, applicants will need to pay the application fee using a credit or debit card. The application fee is yet to be specified. After payment has been processed, the application will be considered complete and will enter the processing queue.
Processing Time
Applications are typically processed within a few days; however, processing times may vary depending on the time of year and the workload of UK Visas and Immigration. If the application for the ETA is denied, applicants can always apply for a visa if eligible. For more information on the UK ETA for Monacan citizens, travellers can refer to the FAQ page.