ETIAS or a Schengen Visa from 2024

[niemeyjt]

This scheme, and any corresponding thing the UK Government is likely to dream up at some time, is pure theatre.

And expensive theatre at that.

[elsie]

A picture of the big shed at Channel Tunnel Folkestone https://d1c4d7gnm6as1q.cloudfront.net/P ... 708678.jpg

This article https://www.railwaygazette.com/channel- ... 38.article mentions
On arrival at the terminal, a vehicle’s number plate is read by a camera. This is then automatically combined with the advanced passenger information supplied during booking to determine the status of passengers as EU nationals, non-EU travellers or people who already registered with EES. The vehicle is then guided to the correct parking space.
which will be very helpful if it works? I assume they'll have to modify the booking website to include information on those holding CdS, etc. for the filtering in the same chanel as EU citizens as I don't believe CdS holders will be registered in the EES system as they are exempt.

[niemeyjt]

The problem with Dover in particular is one small hitch and all of a sudden the A20 is blocked and even those with the correct paperwork get caught up and cannot get through.

[elsie]

I have seen mention by a UK minister of a “six-month soft launch” (up until the launch of ETIAS) to ease the transition which might include more flexible measures to keep traffic flowing smoothly if delays become a problem. But that might just be UK speculation.

[niemeyjt]

Not to be outdone in the theatrical stupidity stakes, the UK has announced the extension of its own version of ETIAS.

Called ETA and costing £10 it will apply to European Passport holders from April 2nd 2025.

I am on my phone so I will post links etc this evening unless someone beats me to it.

Anyone who thought this lot would be any less stupid than the last lot are doomed to be disappointed.

[elsie]

Several other countries have entry systems similar to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). These include:

United States: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a similar electronic travel authorization system for visa-free travelers entering the U.S..

Canada: The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) serves a similar purpose for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air.

Australia: The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is used for short-term visits to Australia for tourism or business purposes.

ETA covers a much longer list of countries than just the EU
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when- ... sation-eta

[Polly]

Speaking to Belgians and French fellow guests in a chambre d’hôtes this summer, it was mentioned a couple of times that they and their families were put off visiting the UK since brexit because of having to obtain passports now. This new scheme will surely just add to the hurdle.

[niemeyjt]

And the forthcoming food security rules as well. European food quality is as good as UK's so there is no need for the proposed checks - at a site 20 miles inland - that will just add to cost and delays.

[elsie]

Goods from Britain have faced similar controls from the EU since it left the bloc’s single market at the start of 2021.

[niemeyjt]

Agreed - but that was because there was a risk of UK importing hormone treated meat and the like from elsewhere then sending it on to the EU. I am not aware of any imports to the EU that would breach UK rules if they snuck in.

Thus these reciprocal checks smack of expensive to consumers, tit-for-tat, behaviour with no basis in science.