GCC Citizens Will No Longer Need a Visa to Travel to UK

the visa exemption will be effective for those planning to travel to Britain after February 22, 2024.

The UK Government has announced a shift to an electronic travel authorization system for all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, commencing in early 2024. Starting February 22, 2024, individuals planning to travel to the UK can benefit from a visa exemption by obtaining a two-year electronic travel authorization (ETA) at a cost of £10 or 5 dinars for both adults and minors. The application process, which incurs a fee, takes approximately 3 working days to complete.

Under the new system, the electronic ETA grants entry and permits a stay of up to 6 months in the UK. This applies to various purposes, including tourism, visiting relatives, business activities, short-term studies, transit visas for passing through UK airports, or temporary work lasting up to 3 months. The initiative aims to streamline the visa process and enhance travel efficiency between the GCC countries and the UK.