Cypriot nationals travelling to the United Kingdom must obtain a new digital travel permit starting Wednesday, April 2, or risk being denied entry, as part of sweeping changes affecting most European travellers.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will become mandatory for all visitors to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, excluding Irish nationals.
Travellers without the permit will be refused entry to the UK or prevented from continuing their journey via the UK on transit flights.
The Association of Cyprus Travel Agents (ACTA) told philenews that members have been informing customers who plan to travel to the UK from April 2, 2025 onwards about the new requirements.
Travel agents cannot apply for the permit on behalf of their clients, ACTA said, adding that travellers must complete the process themselves. However, they noted the procedure is straightforward and can be completed within minutes.
Travellers who have booked tickets online, either through platforms or airline websites, must follow the same application process.
The application can only be made online and requires a passport, photograph, email address and an electronic payment method such as a credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
The permit costs £10, an amount that will increase slightly in the coming days.
The digital travel authorisation will remain valid for two years and allows multiple visits to the UK for up to six months per visit, for tourism, business reasons or transit.
To avoid issues, Cypriots planning to visit the UK from April 2, 2025 should apply for the permit immediately after booking their tickets, as processing times can range from minutes to three days.
The ETA is an electronic document that grants pre-screened, visa-exempt nationals permission to travel to the UK. It is not a visa, allowing applicants to bypass the complex and time-consuming visa application process.
For Cypriot citizens, the UK ETA offers several benefits, including simplifying travel to visit approximately 270,000 Cypriots living in the UK. Many Cypriot citizens also attend UK universities, while others frequently visit London for holidays or business.
The application process is entirely electronic and paperless. Cypriot applicants can complete the application in less than 20 minutes and do not need to visit consulates or visa offices for personal interviews or to submit documents.
ETA applications are typically processed within three days, with decisions sent to the applicant’s email address. If approved, the ETA will be linked to the passport used in the application, eliminating the need to print any documents.
