The United Kingdom has identified two African countries whose citizens can use an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) instead of applying for a visa for eligible visits.
The countries are Mauritius and Seychelles, whose nationals are included on the UK government’s Appendix ETA National List.
Under the arrangement, eligible citizens from both countries must obtain an ETA before travelling to the UK and must also satisfy the relevant entry requirements.
Mauritian citizens can use the ETA route when travelling to the UK for visits covered by the scheme. This means eligible travell do not need to apply for a visitor visa for qualifying trips. However, they must first secure an approved ETA and ensure their planned visit falls within the activities permitted under the arrangement.
The electronic authorisation is linked to the traveller’s passport and serves as permission to travel to the UK.
Citizens of Seychelles are also included on the UK’s ETA National List.
Like eligible Mauritian travellers, Seychellois citizens travelling to the UK under the scheme are required to obtain an ETA before departure.
The inclusion of the two countries provides eligible travellers with a simpler travel authorisation process for qualifying short visits compared with the standard visitor visa application.
An Electronic Travel Authorisation is a digital travel permission for eligible people who want to visit the UK without obtaining a visa for certain short-term trips.
However, having an ETA does not guarantee entry into the country.
Travellers must still comply with the UK’s immigration and border requirements when they arrive. Border officials can assess whether visitors meet the conditions for entry.
Therefore, travellers from Mauritius and Seychelles who qualify for the UK ETA must still ensure their documentation, purpose of travel and other requirements are in order before making their journey.
The ETA system is intended to streamline travel authorisation for eligible visitors while allowing UK authorities to conduct checks before travellers arrive at the border.
