According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), approximately 350,000 Brazilian travelers enter the United Kingdom per year. Until recently, travelers only needed a passport for stays of up to 180 days, but, last year, the British government began requiring an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
The document is a travel authorization created so that the government of the political bloc can digitize borders at airports and obtain accurate information on the number of people entering and leaving their countries, as well as their origin.
The British government explained that this measure allows to prevent threats and also provides more guarantees to individuals and carriers. This initiative will be fully implemented by the end of this year.
The issuance of the authorisation will be mandatory for all foreigners who wish to enter the United Kingdom without a visa for a maximum stay of six months, except for those with British and Irish citizenship.
With an eTA, you can travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term studies such as language courses lasting less than 90 days. Those who need to stay longer will need to apply for a visa instead of the document.
How to request an ETA?
Travelers who want to apply for an eTA will need to use the official British government website or app, and there is no need to visit consulates or visa offices. The process takes just a few minutes.
Having a valid biometric passport issued by Brazil is one of the requirements for application. You must also present a working electronic payment method, such as a credit or debit card, to pay the ten pound sterling fee online.
The applicant must share personal and contact information such as home address and employment details. After completing the form, a confirmation will be sent to the registered email address and as per UK security data verification, the system will check whether the applicant is eligible or not.
A response on the decision may take up to 72 hours. If the request is rejected, the applicant can fill out a new form and pay the fee again. However, it is advised to do this only if the reason for the rejection has been established and resolved. If you are still refused, you will have to apply for a standard visitor, transit or creative worker visa.
According to information on the UK government website, the ETA lasts for two years and allows the traveller to visit the countries of the political union as many times as he wants during this period. However, if he obtains a new passport, he will need to obtain a new ETA.
Anyone who needs a visa should be aware of the requirements
According to a survey conducted by the Brazilian Association of Exchange Agencies (Belta), the United Kingdom is the second most sought-after country by Brazilians to study or work. For those who plan to stay legally in the country, it is necessary to obtain a visa.
To request the document, you need to know the requirements that must be met. These include proof of a minimum income to support yourself in the country. By March 2025, this amount must reach £38,700 gross per year, as indicated by the new UK immigration rules.
The request can be made through the British government website, by presenting the passport and paying the fee set by the consulate. In the case of a student visa, proof of enrollment is required. Work visas require proof of contract.
Applicants also need to prove proficiency in the English language and for this, they should consider core English courses aimed at obtaining the IELT certificate, an official exam administered by the British Council, which guarantees certification of knowledge of the language.
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