by Kristen Ku
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Sept. 7, 2023
Earlier this year, the United Kingdom announced a significant update to its border regulations, with the introduction of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) that will be required of most foreign citizens wishing to enter the country.
Historically, for residents of a number of countries, including Belize, entry into the UK for short periods has been relatively hassle-free, with minimal document/visa requirements. However, the introduction of an electronic authorization requirement now makes it necessary for passport holders to complete an application process before their arrival in the UK, with the resulting authorization being linked electronically to their passport.
This new requirement applies to a wide range of travelers, including citizens of the European Union, the United States, Australia, and Canada.
Notably, British and Irish citizens, along with persons holding settled status, will be exempt from the Electronic Travel Authorization scheme (ETA).
The rollout of this scheme is scheduled to be completed in 2024, and will mark a significant shift in the country’s entry procedures.
According to UK Foreign Minister, Hon. David Rutley, citizens of Belize, which is a member of the Commonwealth, will not be affected until sometime in 2024. “It isn’t going to affect Belizeans until at some point in 2024. And we’ll make sure there’s very clear communication about what’s required there and work closely with the foreign ministry to ensure that travelers, visitors from Belize, are fully aware of the process,” he explained.
The decision to implement this scheme is primarily driven by border control considerations, and is similar to actions being taken to adjust entry requirements in various other countries.
The European Union is among those regions which are planning on introducing a similar scheme, which has been labeled the “European Travel Information and Authorisation System” (ETIAS), and will be launched in 2024.
Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration, Hon. Eamon Courtenay, said that the delay until 2024 provides enough time for an informative education program to familiarize Belizeans with the upcoming changes.
While the exact cost of the ETA has yet to be confirmed, the UK is expecting to handle an estimated 30 million applications annually.
Looking ahead, the UK envisions a future where all travelers will be required to submit fingerprint biometrics prior to their journeys. They are actively working on a scheme that would facilitate this process through smartphone submissions, as reported by CNBC TV.