UK To Start Instant E-Visa for GCC Citizens From February
Travellers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman will soon be exempt from needing a pre-entry visa to enter the UK, according to official government sources.
From February 1, citizens of GCC countries can apply for the UK’s electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme instead.
Qataris have been able to travel using the ETA since November 2023, and now the remaining GCC countries and Jordan can apply for the scheme, which gives permission to travel to the UK.
UAE and Saudi citizens exempt from UK pre-entry visa requirements
The ETA means citizens of the Gulf countries can visit the UK for an unlimited number of times in a two-year period, according to the UAE embassy in the UK.
The UK is enduringly popular with tourists from Gulf countries, with the government estimating around 800,000 visitors from Gulf countries in 2022.
Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan will need an ETA if they’re visiting the UK on February 22, 2024, and can apply for their ETA on February 1, 2024.
ETAs are replacing Electronic Visa Waivers (EVW), which the majority of Gulf nationals currently apply for.
An ETA is viewed as a major improvement on the EVW. For starters, it is a third of the price at £10 ($13). It also allows for unlimited visits to the UK over two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever is sooner.
The move to the ETA scheme means that the visa requirement will be removed for short stays in the UK for nationals from the Gulf and Jordan.
When applying for an ETA, applicants need to provide biographic and biometric information and answer questions on suitability and criminality.
Once individuals have successfully applied, their ETA is digitally linked to their passport.
In a post on social media, the UAE Embassy to the UK said: “The 1st of February 2024 marks the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between the UAE and UK.
“Emiratis wanting to visit the UK will now be exempt from requiring a pre-entry visa. Instead, they will be eligible for the new ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation’ (ETA) scheme.
“This new process streamlines travel between the UAE and UK, offering speed, enhanced accessibility and affordability.
“This is a significant milestone for both of our nations. It is the result of four years of collaborative effort, and a symbol of our commitment to strengthening the already deep ties between the UAE and the UK.”
On average, Gulf tourists spent £2,578 ($3,254) on their trips to the UK in 2022. They also took longer trips than previously, reaching 16 nights – up from an all market average of eight.
Between January and June 2023, the UK recorded 411,000 visits from the GCC, contributing £945 million ($1.2bn) to the UK economy. Flight bookings from the Middle East overall to Britain also showed steady signs of recovery in 2023, reaching approximately 93 per cent of pre-Covid levels.
