Travelers Bound for the U.K. Hit a Roadblock: Electronic Authorization System Is Down
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- The U.K.'s electronic travel authorization (ETA) system, required for most visa-exempt travelers, has experienced significant outages recently, preventing applicants from obtaining necessary digital permission to enter the country.
- The ETA, which costs £20 and is valid for two years for short-term visits under six months, is linked to travelers' passports and must be approved before boarding planes, trains, or boats bound for the U.K.
- The British Home Office acknowledged the delays, stating technicians are working around the clock to fix the issue, but did not specify when the outage began or when it will be resolved.
- Prior to the outage, the approval process was generally quick, sometimes taking only minutes, but travelers applying on the day of departure have been stranded due to the system's unavailability.
- Some passengers have started receiving approval notices despite the ongoing issues, indicating partial restoration of the system.