Four French rugby players, including France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, and a coach were denied entry into the United Kingdom on Friday due to an issue with their Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The incident, which occurred at Bristol Airport on the eve of their Champions Cup opener against Gloucester, underscores a crucial, often overlooked, travel regulation for visitors to the UK.
According to reporting from AFP, the Bordeaux-Bègles players and their coach were stranded after it emerged their ETAs were linked to expired passports. This administrative oversight highlights a little-known rule that could lead to other passengers being turned away at the UK border, as was the case for the French rugby players.
The UK's ETA visa waiver is a mandatory requirement for all non-British and non-Irish nationalities. This includes citizens from EU and EFTA countries such as Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, as well as nationals from the United States, Canada, and Australia who are living in Europe. It also applies to family members of British nationals who do not hold a UK or Irish passport.
Anyone planning to travel to the UK, with the exception of those holding a British or Irish passport or possessing UK residency, must arrange this travel authorisation online. The system is modelled on the USA's ESTA visa waiver and is necessary for all types of visits, including tourism, short stays, and family holidays.
The ordeal faced by the Bordeaux players at Bristol Airport serves as a stark reminder that an ETA is intrinsically linked to the passport used for its application. Therefore, if a passport is renewed, a new ETA must also be obtained to ensure valid entry into the UK. The Gov UK site explicitly states: "An ETA lasts for 2 years and is linked to your passport. If your passport has expired or changed, you’ll need to apply for a new ETA."
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