The United Kingdom has been one of the most appealing destinations by Portuguese citizens whether in terms of tourism, business, study, or family and friends. The UK has a rich history, excellent culture, and colorful cities, which attract a large number of people every year.
In this step wise guide, we will provide you with all required information pertaining to applying to the UK eTA in Portugal such as the eligibility, how to UK eTA validity, the multiple entry, and how to use it when having short stays.
Is UK eTA easy to apply for?
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is a recent programme by the UK to help digitise the immigration process of visa-exempt travellers. It is an electronic authorization to the UK ETA Application, which is digitally bound with your passport.
The eTA is also a component of the broader UK strategy to enhance the control of the borders and also streamline the process of travelling across the borders making it efficient and safe. The citizens of Portugal are also members of the European Union, and hence are allowed to use this simplified authorization instead of undergoing full visa procedure when traveling to the UK on short visitations.
What is the Reason Portuguese Citizens Require a UK eTA?
Although the United Kingdom and Portugal are closely interconnected, the country is no longer included in the European Union. After Brexit, new travel legislation concerning EU citizens was developed in the UK.
Though Portuguese travelers do not require the complete visa when they are traveling to the UK on short trips, they must now acquire UK eTA prior to the trip. This will make sure that the traveling officials can pre-screen the travelers on security grounds before they arrive at the border.
The UK eTA of Portugal is compulsory in case of short-term stay, including:
Tourism and leisure trips
Visiting family or friends
Short business visits
Participation in meetings, events or conferences.
Short term education/study programs.
The eTA also facilitates entry systems that are secure and quicker and easier in traveling.
What are the eligibility criteria for Portuguese citizens to get UK eTA?
Portuguese nationals are also entitled to obtain the UK eTA, because the UK regards them as a visa-free country during short-term visits.
Portuguese travelers must:
Be a possessor of a valid Portuguese passport (machine-readable or biometric).
Be on a tourism, business, transit or short-term visit.
None of the UK or any other immigration and criminal offence.
Be able to afford enough money and have a ticket back or an onward travel ticket.
The process is completely online and can be done in a few minutes and, therefore, it is very convenient among the travelers.
Which documents do Portuguese citizens need for a UK eTA application?
Portuguese citizens need to make the Documents required for UK ETA successful in their application of the UK eTA:
Valid Passport- it has to be a Portuguese passport valid not less than six months of the arrival date.
Digital Photo- A new color photograph that has UK passport standards.
Travel Details- Details regarding the purpose of your travels, where you are going and how long you are staying.
Payment Method- A valid debit/credit card to cover the eTA processing fee.
Email Address - To obtain updates on application and the confirmation of eTA approval.
The information will be correct and updated and due to this, the approval process will be smooth.
Easy way to apply for UK eTA from Portugal
The process of Applying for UK eTA in Portugal is not time consuming. The transactions are fully done online and only in a few steps:
Step 1: Fill the Online Form
Complete the application form using personal details, passport details, purpose of travel and time of stay. Check each field twice to make sure.
Step 2: Posting of the necessary documents
Provide passport main information page and your digital photo. The two ought to be transparent and respond to the requirements.
Step 3: Pay the eTA Fee
Pay with a legitimate debit or credit card. The application cost is also cheap and has to be paid during application.
Step 4: Receive Confirmation
Once you have applied, you will get an email confirming that your application has been received. The processing time is normally 24 to 72 hours, depending on the case.
Step 5: eTA Approval
After this, your UK eTA will be electronically connected to your passport. There is no need to have a paper copy, but it is better to have a printout in case of peace of mind.
Portuguese citizens are allowed to work in the UK under eTA
The Validity period for UK eTA is one of the most critical matters. To Portuguese travelers, the UK eTA has a two-year period since the time of issue or expiry of your passport whichever is the first.
It will additionally imply that in case you are given an eTA, you will be in a position to use it on numerous occasions within the two years without any fresh application provided that your passport has not expired.
Key points about validity:
Validity of 2 years or expiry of passport.
Needs to be renewed with the issue of a new passport.
Suitable when visiting on short trips of a maximum of 6 months at a time.
Can I request multiple-entry when applying online for UK eTA?
One of the greatest benefits of the UK eTA as a Portuguese citizen is the ability to make numerous entries to the United Kingdom on the one hand, as long as the validity exists.It is possible to say that this is because after your eTA has been approved, you can come in and out of the UK as many times as you want within two years and you do not have to reapply.
This is what several entries can do you:
You are allowed to travel in and out of the UK a number of times on tourism, short business trips, or visits.
The duration of every visit should be 2 years.
You have to keep the travel intent of eTA (no work or long-term study).
This is ideal to the Portuguese citizens that travel regularly to the UK making short visits or visiting friends and relatives.
How does UK eTA short stay work?
UK eTA is particularly created to use in a short-term UK stay. Portuguese nationals that would use eTA have an opportunity to spend up to six months in the country on each visit.
Short-stay may be done under the following purposes:
Tourism: Exploring such sites as the Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Stonehenge.
Family and Friends: Seeing friends or visiting family.
Business Trips: Meeting other companies at conferences, trade shows, meetings.
Education: Taking short courses or training (Less than six months).
Transit: travelling in the UK to a different destination.
Nevertheless, the UK eTA does not allow long-term employment, permanent residence, and long study programmes. People who intend to work or study in the long run have to apply for the relevant type of visa.
What is the average UK eTA processing time?
The UK eTA system is set to process in a hurry. Approval of most Portuguese applicants takes a period of 1 to 3 business days.There are other instances where the applications can be slightly delayed because they need extra information or verification.
To avoid delays:
Make an application at least a week before you travel.
Make sure that everything is corresponding to your passport.
There should be no more than one trip submitted.
After you pass through, you will be confirmed via email and your eTA will be attached to your passport.
How long can a Portuguese person stay in the UK?
The eTA of the UK has minimal administrative charge that is remitted online during the application process. The charge includes the handling and authentication of the traveler records by the UK immigration agencies.
Even though the precise fee may change it is still cheap and affordable to the Portuguese travelers as opposed to a full visa application.
The payment is done safely on the Internet with the most popular debit or credit card, and the applicants are recommended to keep the receipt of payment as the reference.
Can Portuguese travelers apply for UK eTA online easily?
Submitting a UK eTA has a number of advantages to Portuguese tourists:
Easy and quick Process: Complete Internet without visiting embassies.
Multiple Entries: Eligible on an unlimited number of trips in two years.
Short-Stay Flexibility: Used in tourism, business or transit.
100% safe and reliable: Digital verification has guaranteed safe travel authorization.
Cost-Effective:Less expensive compared to the traditional visa options.
The eTA system is convenience mixed with security because it has simplified the movement of Portuguese citizens to travel to the UK without any problems.
What happens if my UK eTA expires during travel?
As has been stated above, UK eTA has two-year or passport-based validity. Nonetheless, passengers have to remember to renew their eTA in case:
Their passport is re-newed or renewed.
Two years later the eTA is out of date.
They switch their identity or nationality.
Renewal is done following the online procedure that is very simple and a new eTA will be sent in connection with the new information in the passport.
Is UK eTA valid for sightseeing trips?
With your eTA permission, you will be able to fly to the UK with ease. This is what occurs in the airport:
Show your Portuguese passport at check in and arrival.
The eTA is going to be checked automatically with the help of the digital immigration system.
The officials at the border might inquire about your plans of traveling, where you are staying, and when you are coming back.
Once verification is done successfully, you will be allowed access to your allowable stay.
Never exceed the conditions of your eTA when traveling, and never exceed the time restrictions.
What are the airport arrival procedures for Portuguese travelers?
The UK eTA is not a guarantee of automatic entry; the final decisions on entering the country are made by the border officials.
On an eTA, you are not allowed to work or live in the UK.
Exceeding half a year might attract punishment or restriction of future travel.
Take travel insurance to cater to medical and travel related disasters.
Who Does Not Need a UK eTA?
Some passengers do not need to have an eTA, and they are:
UK citizens and residents.
Irish citizens in the Common Travel Area.
Individuals possessing the valid visas to the UK or residence permits.
The rest of the visa-exempt nationals such as the Portuguese citizens are required to acquire eTA prior to travelling.
What if my UK eTA application is rejected in Portugal?
Although the applications are normally approved in a short time, some might be rejected in case of:
Wrong or inaccurate passport information.
Past Visa violations or overstays.
Immigration or criminal background notifications.
Incomplete documentation.
Before the submission of any information, the applicants are advised to view all the information carefully to be rejected or delayed.
How does the UK eTA help frequent travelers?
The eTA is the best in terms of convenience to Portuguese travelers who visit the UK on a regular basis. You can:
Travel to the UK on two occasions in a span of two years.
Different purposes of travel - tourism, business, and family visits.
Forget about redundant visa applications.
Get quicker airport cinema and guaranteed entry.
The eTA system suits well people who travel frequently due to work or leisure, and appreciate flexibility.
How early should I start preparing for a UK trip?
In order to travel between Portugal and the UK easily, the following travel tips would help you:
Ensure that your passport and eTA are valid before traveling.
Download and have digital and printed versions of your eTA approval.
Know accommodation address and flight back.
Get acquainted with the UK customs and cultural etiquette.
Bring plenty of travelling insurance and money.
Conclusion
One of the requirements to Portuguese citizens who intend to visit the United Kingdom on a short term basis is applying for a UK eTA in Portugal. This e-authorization will take the place of the tedious visa submissions, and to the traveler, this will be a swift, secure and flexible solution.The UK eTA is the ideal travel document with validity of two years, multiple entry, and short stays of not more than six months during a tourism, business, or family visit.To Portuguese nationals, the UK eTA is the most simplified, as it is easy to complete the entire task including the application, and arrival to any destination in London, Edinburgh, Manchester or any other part of UK.
