GCC Countries Require Electronic Authorisation For Visa-Free Entry To UK (image@ Pixabay)UK has recently announced visa-free travel for GCC countries. Both citizens and residents with valid residency permit are eligible for the visa-free travel to UK. As of February 2024, residents and citizens from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar will be able to visit United Kingdom without visa. The visit will be permitted for up to six months for purposes like business, short-term studies, business, and medical treatment.
Those who intend to travel will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). A United Kingdom ETA is a British entry permit that allows entry to the country for visitors, which can be applied online and will cost £10. Those who meet the requirement to apply for the ETA UK can apply online for permission to enter Great Britain before they plan to travel. Those visiting for the purpose of tourism, business, studying, and visiting friends and family can apply for ETA. Others with the purpose such as working, or residing long term in Britain should have a Regular UK visa.
The online application for ETA will only take few minutes to complete, and can be done anytime up to few days prior the departure to the country. The applicant should have a valid national biometric passport from an eligible country, travel details, valid email address, and a credit or debit card. Once the application has been sent, response will only take 48-72 hours normally. It is pertinent to not that residency permit of the individual applying must be valid and issued by one of the above mentioned GCC countries. The residency status of the individual must also allow travel visa-free to other countries as some residency categories may have restrictions for such matters.
UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation is part of the country’s plan to fully digitalise its border by 2025. Those hold the UK ETA will only have to scan the passport they used to apply by upon arriving at the border, and the entry permit will be verified electronically.