2025-9-6
以前在英国的时候，知道大英帝国早已经没有了制造业，靠银行、旅游和文化输出过话。
最近想带小不点儿去英国开会，机票和旅馆都订好了，临行前几个星期，突然被告知还要申请入境或过境英国的电子签证Electronic Travel Authorization（ETA），是从2025年1月8号开始，申请费是10英镑。而到了4月8号以后，大概是尝到了甜头，申请费变成了16英镑。
U.S. citizens now need a UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for short visits to the United Kingdom, including for tourism or business, effective January 8, 2025. You can apply for an ETA online or through the official UK ETA app before you travel, and the application costs £10. The ETA is digitally linked to your passport and is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
只是这收钱收得容易，事情倒也办得痛快。收费前后的伊妹儿不到一分钟，审批就下来了。
The introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach many other countries have taken to border security, including the US and Australia, and helps prevent the arrival of those who present a threat to the UK。
此山是我开，此树是我栽，要想过此路，留下买路财，这样中国古典小说中似曾相识的土匪买路钱，开始只是对美国人对等收，后来对欧盟国家也开始征收了。
As of April 2, European Union citizens join travelers from 48 countries around the world now required to have Electronic Travel Authorisation to enter the UK. Previously, travelers from the EU could hop on a plane and simply present themselves at passport control on landing. Now, travelers who don’t need a visa to enter the UK must get pre-travel authorization via the new digital registration scheme.
看起来这曾经不可一世的日不落帝国，真的是入不敷出，日薄西山了。
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