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From April eligible non-European nationals will need to apply for ETA’s to travel to the UK and the Crown Dependencies.
The Electronic Travel Authorisations were introduced by the UK earlier this year for certain nationalities entering the country, and will enable ‘robust security checks’ for those heading to the country.
There will be no impact for islanders travelling from the Bailiwick to the UK, similarly, there’ll be no impact on those looking to come directly to the Channel Islands until the end of 2025.
It will however have an impact on French nationals wishing to holiday here.
Those who have been using a National Identity Card to travel to the island under the approved scheme with Manches Illes and Condor, have until September next year to make use of them, while after that it’s expected those visitors would need to apply for an ETA.
The timeline for the rollout is a little complicated, but essentially, from the start of next year eligible non-European nationals will need to apply for ETA’s to travel to the UK, with European Nationals able to apply from 2 April 2025.
Non-British Nationals who want to come straight to the Channel Islands won’t need an ETA straight away next year, but if they travel via the UK to get here, they’ll need an ETA.
Pictured: Deputy Rob Prow, President of the Committee For Home Affairs.
Guernsey’s Home Affairs Committee have been working alongside their UK and Jersey counterparts in preparation for the launch of ETA’s, although an exact date has yet to be given, and the States of Guernsey still need to approve the Bailiwick’s involvement, although that’s expected to be a formality.
Deputy Rob Prow is the President of the Committee For Home Affairs. He says the scheme is very similar to those found elsewhere, and could be soon be seen in Guernsey.
“The Committee and its officers have been working closely with representatives of the Home Office and the Justice Department for some years now on the implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme," he said.
"Much like the ESTA scheme the United States has, it will require travellers looking to holiday in the United Kingdom to apply for permission before travelling, using their passport. If the States formally agree the Bailiwick’s involvement later this year, that scheme will be extended to include the Bailiwick of Guernsey alongside the other Crown Dependencies at the end of 2025.
"The introduction of ETAs will most probably end the scheme allowing French day-trippers to travel to Guernsey without a passport. While beneficial to the tourism industry, this scheme was always an interim measure ahead of the UK rolling out ETAs and would not align with our CTA obligations after that point. Fortunately, the dates allowed us to extend the scheme through next summer, ending in September 2025."
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