From April 2, Lithuanian citizens visiting the United Kingdom for up to six months or transiting via British airports will have to get an electronic travel authorisation. People without one may be refused entry.
The Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) will be valid for up to two years. The application will cost 12 euros.
According to the UK Home Office, the biometric and contact data collected at the time of application will improve security.
“For some people, the answer can come very quickly within a minute or two, or it will take a few hours,” said Alvija Černiauskaitė, chair of the Lithuanian Community in the UK.
The electronic travel authorisation will be checked before departure in Lithuania.
Importantly, the form will be required for transiting through its airports.
“We assess that those travellers may start to look at alternatives, ie going via other major airports, perhaps Brussels, Paris, Milan,” said Tadas Vasiliauskas, a representative of Lithuanian Airports.
Similar documents are already required for flights to Singapore, New Zealand, or the United States.
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