In a significant development, the United Kingdom (UK) government has announced a major change to visit visa requirements for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals and Jordanians. This move aims to streamline the visa process and enhance travel ease for citizens from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Jordan.
The UK government has decided to eliminate visit visa requirements for these nations and instead offer them an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) that will be valid for two years.
Reduced Cost and Enhanced Access to the UK
Under the ETA scheme, Gulf travellers and Jordanians will benefit from a significant reduction in visa-related expenses. Instead of paying £30 ($37) for each visit, they will now be able to obtain an ETA for just £10 ($12).
This move aligns the entry requirements for citizens of the GCC states and Jordan with those of the United States and Australia.
Simple Application Process through Mobile App
Applying for an ETA is made easy through a dedicated mobile phone application. Interested individuals need to provide their biographic and biometric details, including a digital photograph, and respond to a set of suitability questions. The process is designed to be user-friendly, convenient, and entirely digital.
Implementation in Stages for GCC and Jordan
The UK government has planned a phased implementation of the ETA scheme. Starting in October 2023, Qatari nationals will be eligible for the scheme, followed by the rest of the GCC states and Jordan in February 2024.
Furthermore, the government aims to expand this scheme globally throughout 2024.
The introduction of the ETA scheme is part of the UK government’s comprehensive plan to digitize its border by 2025. This initiative seeks to enhance border security while improving the overall customer experience for travellers.