Hong Kong Residents⁣ to Require ETA for UK ⁤Entry from 2025

BN(O) ‌Visa Holders Exempt, But Confusion Surrounds ETA Policy

The British Home Office ‍has announced the expansion of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program, requiring tourists from over 80 ⁣countries, ⁣including Hong Kong, ​Macau, and Taiwan, ⁢to ‍apply⁢ for an ⁣ETA ⁤before ‌entering⁤ the UK from early next year. The fee for the​ ETA is‌ 10 pounds (approximately HKD ‍102), valid for⁤ two years.

Hong ⁤Kong residents, regardless of whether they hold a SAR passport or a BN(O) passport,​ will be required to apply for an ETA. However, BN(O) visa holders will not be affected by the new policy. Despite this exemption, some Hong Kong residents in ‌the UK have expressed ‍concerns that the arrangements ‍announced by the​ Home Office ​are not ⁢clear ​enough.

ETA Expansion to be Implemented in Two Phases

The Ministry of Interior announced that the ETA‍ expansion will‌ be divided into two phases, starting next year. In the first ⁣phase, travelers⁤ holding passports from about 50 countries or regions, including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, will be required⁤ to‌ hold an ETA when ⁢entering the UK⁣ from January 8, 2025. ​Applications will be accepted from November‌ 27, 2024.

In the second phase, travelers ​holding passports from European countries ‌such as ​Germany, France, Italy, ⁢and Spain will be⁤ required to hold an ETA to enter the UK from ⁤April 2,‌ 2025. Applications will ⁢be accepted from March 5, 2025.

Passengers Without a Valid ETA May Be Denied Boarding

The ETA application‍ fee is 10 pounds and can‌ be applied‍ online or through a ‍mobile application. The result will be available in about 3 working days. There is⁤ no limit to the number of‍ times you can ‍enter and exit the​ UK during⁢ the two-year validity period of​ the ETA. However, if you⁣ get a new passport during this period, ‍you must apply again.

If a passenger does‌ not hold a valid ETA, the airline reserves the right to ⁣refuse to allow​ the passenger to board⁣ the aircraft during check-in.

BN(O) Passport Holders and the ETA Policy

The ⁣British government website states that those who hold a valid visa,⁢ a British or Irish passport, a British Overseas Territories citizen ​passport, ⁣and‍ those‍ who have been approved to live, ​work or study in the ​UK⁤ do not need to‍ apply for an ETA. This includes‍ about 200,000​ BN(O) visa holders.

However, the website also states​ that Hong Kong passport holders, including​ BN(O) passport holders, must apply for an ⁢ETA in advance if they want to enter the UK. This⁣ has⁣ caused confusion​ among some Hong Kong residents in the UK, who have⁤ written to the ⁣Home Secretary to⁣ express their‌ concerns.

Concerns Over ‌the ETA Policy’s Impact on Hong Kong Immigrants

Some Hong ‌Kong residents ‍in the UK have expressed concerns that the ETA policy‍ may ⁢weaken Hong Kongers’ confidence in the UK. They have proposed that the government consider including the E-Gate for entry to cover BN(O) ⁤passports, at least for visa holders after entering the​ UK.

The Hong Kong⁢ Tourism⁢ Industry Council ‍has also issued a notice ⁢to members regarding the‌ new​ ETA ⁢policy, which may affect Hong Kong travelers holding SAR⁢ passports.

Tags: BN(O) passport, BNO visa, ETA, SAR passport, Hong Kong immigrants to the UK, UK, electronic tourist visa