The post Brexit effect continues as The EU is planning to adopt a US-style electronic travel permit scheme. It will be another step closer to create a new administrative hurdle for British tourists.
Immigration minister Robert Goodwill told Parliament the EU was discussing the possibility of introducing a version of America’s Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). As per the present rule, foreign travellers have to pay a fee of $14 (£11) after completing ESTA. it is an automated online system which determines their eligibility to travel to the US.
Mr Goodwill said in a statement that British people are used to the US ESTA scheme and, therefore, it would they view it with interest as to how the European scheme might develop and what similarities, and differences, there may be to the US scheme. He continued that this type of scheme is generally there to help enhance security. To get to know as much as possible about the people who are intending to travel. It is not just flights, it could be people using ferries, or other border crossings into the European Union.
Alan Brown, an SNP member of the European Scrutiny Committee said that an ESTA still takes time and costs money and it is something people have to repeat.
Mr Goodwill however said that it was still too early know if this would apply to British residents, visiting the continent after the UK leaves the EU. At this early stage, it is almost impossible to speculate the effect this might have on British citizens or other third country nationals.
