Digital visa scheme to go live in Channel Islands

Visitors to Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man from outside the UK or Ireland will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) from 23 April, the States has confirmed.

The new requirement applies to anyone who is not a British or Irish citizen and does not need a visa to enter Guernsey or Jersey.

The ETA costs £20 and links to the traveller's passport. It is valid for two years or until the passport expires if earlier.

French day-trippers to the Channel Islands using national ID cards will not be affected.

ETAs were first introduced by the UK government in 2023 and rolled out for travellers from 85 countries in February this year.

They are part of a move towards a fully digital and contactless border.

The States of Jersey said the scheme was being extended to the three Crown Dependencies, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, with the UK operating the ETA process on the islands' behalf.

Travel journalist Simon Calder previously told the BBC the ETA scheme could cost the Channel Islands "millions".

It is the job of the airline or boat company to check if travellers have a valid ETA to enter into the Common Travel Area, which is made up of the UK, Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man, before passengers board.

ETAs are issued by the UK government and can be applied for online, or on the UK ETA app.

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