By Aabigayle McIntosh

The government will be duly notified of the date when the United Kingdom roles out its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system.

British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Scott Furssedonn Woods along with Resident High Commissioner Lindsey Thompson provided that assurance with Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

Several months ago, the British government announced that by the end of next year people who do not require a visa to enter the UK will need to have an electronic travel authorization of ETA before they visit.

The UK government said the scheme will help to improve border security.

During their talks last week Commissioner Furssedonn-Wood said the global roll out of the ETA will commence in Antigua and Barbuda at a yet to be confirmed date in 2024.

Resident Commissioner Thompson reassured the prime minister that the Commission will give advance notice of the start date.

The PM thanked both officials for their continued support.

Later that day, Furssedonn-Wood and Thompson also met with the Leader of the Opposition, Jamale Pringle, Senator Shawn Nicholas, and Deputy Chair of the United Progressive Party, Jason Mannix.

The ETA, is an effort by the British government to digitalise the country’s borders. Frequent travelers may already be familiar with such programme, including the United States ESTA or the Canadian ETA. These systems are the inspiration for the ETA, which will operate in a very similar way.