UK to remove visa requirement for GCC nationals visiting in 2023
The United Kingdom will remove the visa requirement for Gulf Corporation Council state nationals wishing to visit the country in 2023, making them the first countries to benefit from the UK’s new visa scheme, the Home Office said in a statement on Monday.
The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain will move onto the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme when it’s rolled out in 2023.
Before the introduction of ETAs in 2023, travellers from Gulf countries can continue to use Electronic Visa Waivers which can be completed online before their visit to the UK.
The Home Office said that the application process is “straightforward” and that the scheme will “act as an additional security measure allowing the government to block threats from entering the UK, whilst also providing individuals with more assurance at an earlier point in time about their ability to travel.” Once granted, an ETA is valid for multiple trips over an extended period of time.
