The United Kingdom government has declared a significant revision to its visa policies, announcing visa-free entry for travelers from various Arab countries starting from February 22 next year.
In this notable change, the UK aims to facilitate entry for residents of Jordan and all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Citizens of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, and Bahrain will no longer require visas for entry into the UK; instead, they will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) starting from February next year. Qatari residents have been using the ETA since November 15, 2023.
The UK government’s statement emphasized that transitioning to an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system will simplify the entry process, eliminating the need for a visit visa.
Under this system, tourists of all age groups will electronically apply for a travel permit, priced at £10, valid for two years. This shift aims to streamline entry procedures, making travel to the United Kingdom more accessible for citizens of these nations.
Earlier this year, the UK government outlined plans for a new ETA scheme as part of its broader digitization of the UK border by 2025, aiming to enhance border security and improve the overall customer experience.
An ETA serves as a digital permission to travel for those visiting or transiting through the UK, exempt from the need for a visa for short stays or those without an existing UK visa.
By simplifying costs and visa requirements, the ETA scheme intends to facilitate convenient travel to the UK for visitors from Gulf states and Jordan, fostering business and tourism links. Gulf visitors play a crucial role in the UK economy, with over 790,000 Gulf visitors contributing £2 billion during their stays in the UK in 2022.
