BOTC passport holders don’t need UK ETA

| 14/10/2024 | 47 Comments
Cayman Islands passports

(CNS): The UK Government is introducing Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) for visitors, including children, to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays or in transit or who do not already have British immigration status. An ETA gives permission to travel to the UK and is electronically linked to passports.

However, officials said the process for British Overseas Territory Citizen passport holders has not changed. BOTCs and Irish citizens do not need an ETA.

The new requirement is being rolled out in two stages. Eligible non-Europeans can apply in advance from 27 November 2024 and will need an ETA to travel from 9 January 2025. Eligible Europeans can apply from 5 March 2025 and will need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025.

An ETA is not a visa; it does not permit entry to the UK. BOTC passport holders and others who require a visa to remain in the UK for a longer term will still need to apply for a visa.

See here for information on applying for a visa.

See here for more information and guidance on how to apply for an ETA.


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Category: Local News, Travel

Comments (47)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    If the comments here don’t prove that Brits want to take over Cayman for themselves, not share it with Caymanians, then i don’t know how much more proof you need. We need to limit Brits coming in here. They’re immigration rules have their country overrun with other nationalities, now they want to take over Cayman. PR should be done away with and persons only allowed to be here on work permits.

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    • Anonymous says:

      hey, news flash. you ARE British.

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      • Anonymous says:

        BOTC, is not British. BOTC persons do not enjoy the same benefits as a UK passport holder.

      • Anonymous says:

        News flash for you – You are a British Citizen if you are in possession of a British Passport. In possesion of a Cayman Islands BOTC Passport is a reminder that we are a territory of the UK. However, it does not allow a person to remain in the UK beyond a possible 6 months, work without a VISA, receive the UK Tuition Fees at Universities/Colleges, receive ‘free’ treatment from the NHS and all the other rights afforded to a British Citizen.

        • Anonymous says:

          As a BOTC you can apply for full British citizenship as I did and now hold a BOTC and British passport.

    • Anonymous says:

      Another Caymanian that failed civics class. This is, and has been, a British Overseas Dependent Territory for generations. It’s already theirs. King Charles is your King.

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  2. Anonymous says:

    we NEED more british people here. more order.

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  3. Anonymous says:

    It is about time Cayman looks at the calendar and realize it is 2024, and high time to modernize and get rid of the manual immigration and customs forms (and manual passport stamping). This should all be done electronically.

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  4. Anonymous says:

    What about us nice Canadian Commonwealth folk…do we need one of these things?

    Also, the comments above about Immigration are totally insane…learn the law before you comment.If you are concerned, as Nic Joseph, Esq. and he will sort you out.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    Now watch the rush of Jamaicans wanting passports from the people they hate as Colonial masters.
    They’ve finally realized civilization ain’t so bad and the British social services will house and feed them and their dozen children.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    when will we all hold 1 passport and have no restrictions on the British coming here to live and work?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Are you serious????

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      • Anonymous says:

        why is this a problem??? they are british like us?????? caymanians that hold UK passports can live work and vote in the UK why are they, who own this island, not given that same right? we are either british or not.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Why can Brits no longer travel freely in the ‘European Union’?

      Why has British Passport gone back to blue and does not contain ‘European’ anymore.

      Research British Overseas Territories previoys and current and others like Isle of Man, before throwing tantrum!

  7. Anonymous says:

    Would be nice if Cayman could make it even a TINY bit easier for British citizens to get PR in Cayman. Even if it’s just reducing the time from 8 years to 4. Or less points needed. We share the same passport. This door should open both ways.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Giving Brits 10 Points for demographics, fine. Cutting PR eligibility to 4 years, insane.

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      • Anonymous says:

        How much do Jamaicans, Filipinos and Indians get for demographics?

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        • Anonymous says:

          Jamaicans: 0. (41% of work permits)
          Filipinos: 0. (17% of work permits)
          Indians: 5 (5.6% of work permits)
          Brits: 5 (5.5% of work permits)
          All 133 other nationalities 10 Points (each representing countries with less than 5% of work permits).

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    • Anonymous says:

      Enoch Powell was right, look at the immigration mess in the UK that he predicted without controls. Cayman is right to have immigration controls. Caymanians did not ask for a British passport, it was given to them.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Actually, Caymanians always had a British Passport (until they were stripped of it in the 1980’s as part of preparations for the return of Hong Kong to China). Once all the Hong Kong People no longer had them, the UK made us (and Bermudans etc.) whole again.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yeah, what did the Romans ever do for us .?

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        • Anonymous says:

          They gave England straight roads, mosaic pictures, roman villas, orgies, lead pipes and fed Christians to the lions.

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          • Anonymous says:

            There’s one “Christian” I can think of who would deserve that..and I would feel sorry for the Lions.

    • Anonymous says:

      Look at the size of Cayman compared to England. You all must be crazy. We are out numbered in our country now so we need to put on the brakes on issuing Status and PR!!! Enough is enough.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Outnumbered by what nationalities? Not Brits, that’s for sure.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Hey the Brits need to make room for all the other nationalities that have moved there. They need somewhere to go. Have a heart!

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          • Anonymous says:

            Go pander to your government.

          • Anonymous says:

            yup! The only Caymanians that could go work and live in the UK, are those who have the British Passport. Those with the BOTC passport cannot and could only visit and does not require a ETA.

    • Logic 101 says:

      This is an insane comment. A person with a BOTC passport has no right to live and work in the UK without further permission, so where is this “open door” that you have spotted? This article clearly talks about short term holiday visits, which British people are currently also fully entitled to do here.

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      • Anonymous says:

        BOTC is first step, then you have the right to apply for full UK citizenship as I did. Once granted you have a full UK passport with no restrictions.

        • Anonymous says:

          Unless you are unlucky enough to have BOTC by naturalisation, then the UK wants £1000 just to register.

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