My partner and I both live in France. She is French and I am English. We plan to visit family and friends in the UK for three weeks in July. Does she really have to pay £120+ for a visa? And if we decide to spend a weekend in London in nine months time she has to apply again, assuming she doesn’t opt for the outrageously priced 12 month visa? I presume I pay nothing ! Many thanks in advance.
Being a French national, she shouldn’t need a visa, and could spend up to 6 months in the UK, but she will need to apply for the new ETA (£16). You won’t need either a visa or ETA as a UK national. I believe the ETA is valid for the earlier of 2 years or until her passport expires
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Crikey, no it shouldn’t cost that much. As George1 says, it’s about £16 or 19 euros, and ought to be valid for a couple of years. I briefly looked into it, as my partner is French and we were looking at visiting the UK later in the year.
Thank you. I am mad ! I searched ‘visa’ and was horrified at the cost and restrictions. I am now completely reassured. Thanks again for taking the time to put me straight.
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One big difference from pre Brexit is that she will need a Passport.
The various schemes for tourists (the US ESTA, UK’s ETA, and the EU’s long-delayed ETIAS) are all visa-exemption schemes that allow non-immigrant and non-work travel for people from specified countries.
Actual visas come into play if you want to settle permanently in a country or work there.
ETIAS (EU) will cost €7, the UK’s ETA is £16 and the US’s ESTA an inflationary $21 (£17).
Thank you for all your help : I am relieved and reassured that a) I am not completely mad and b) a short trip to London won’t cost an arm and a leg.