The cost of a travel permit needed by EU and US citizens to enter the UK is set to increase by £6. Rising from £10 to £16, the hike has sparked fear that it will negatively impact the tourism industry.
The Home Office said the price of a permit would rise to help “reduce the reliance of the migration and borders system on taxpayer funding”. Despite not setting a date for the changes to take effect, the government said the move would raise an additional £269 million per year.
This comes as the electronic travel authorisation system became operative this month. This means visitors, who do not require a visa, will have to apply for digital permission in the form of a £10 permit. This is valid for two years and covers multiple journeys.
The increase in price has been heavily criticised by operators within the tourism industry, comparing it to the €7 levy that the EU charges, claiming it will make the cost of visiting the UK unattractive.
Richard Toomer, executive director of the Tourism Alliance trade association, told the Financial Times: “This is especially a kick in the teeth for our European visitors just as they are required for the first time ever to apply for advance permission to travel to the UK.”
In November, Labour ministers announced a target of increasing visitor numbers to 50 million people a year by 2030.
With the tourism industry standing at £74 billion a year, Mr Toomer said the new target would be missed “if the government keeps viewing tourists simply as a cash cow”.
Similarly, Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade group Airlines UK, labelled the new changes as “bitterly disappointing”.
Later this year, new EU biometrics border checks will also take place after years of delay. This includes facial recognition and finger print scans. The new measures are a part of the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES), designed to strengthen security and streamline airport processes.
Your digital record will be valid for 3 years. If you enter the country again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.
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