2025-9-6
以前在英國的時候，知道大英帝國早已經沒有了製造業，靠銀行、旅遊和文化輸出過話。
最近想帶小不點兒去英國開會，機票和旅館都訂好了，臨行前幾個星期，突然被告知還要申請入境或過境英國的電子簽證Electronic Travel Authorization（ETA），是從2025年1月8號開始，申請費是10英鎊。而到了4月8號以後，大概是嘗到了甜頭，申請費變成了16英鎊。
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.
只是這收錢收得容易，事情倒也辦得痛快。收費前後的伊妹兒不到一分鐘，審批就下來了。
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。
此山是我開，此樹是我栽，要想過此路，留下買路財，這樣中國古典小說中似曾相識的土匪買路錢，開始只是對美國人對等收，後來對歐盟國家也開始徵收了。
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.
看起來這曾經不可一世的日不落帝國，真的是入不敷出，日薄西山了。
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