In an effort to transform and digitise its border control system, the UK has officially opened its electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme for Qatari nationals.
As of today, Qatari travellers will be required to obtain an ETA before visiting the UK, a move aimed at enhancing the overall customer experience for millions of legitimate visitors.
Since October 25, 2023, Qatari nationals have been able to apply for their ETA, with the majority opting for the convenient mobile app, which facilitates a simple and fast application process.
Last year, the UK welcomed nearly 800,000 visitors from the Gulf region, including 45,000 from Qatar, and these numbers are expected to rise in the coming years.
Jon Wilks CMG, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the State of Qatar, expressed his delight, stating, “I am delighted to announce the official opening of the electronic travel authorisation scheme for Qatari nationals, who will be the first in the world to benefit from the scheme. This initiative not only simplifies the travel process for Qataris visiting the UK but also reflects the strength of our bilateral relationship. We look forward to welcoming more visitors from Qatar, further building the human bridge between our two countries.”
New UK entry rules for Gulf nationals
Starting from February 22, 2024, nationals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan will also be required to obtain an ETA for visits to the UK.
The application process for these nationals will begin on February 1, 2024. The ETA system replaces the existing Electronic Visa Waivers (EVW) that Gulf nationals currently apply for. Compared to the EVW, the ETA offers several improvements, including a reduced cost of £10 and allows for unlimited visits to the UK over a period of two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. This change eliminates the visa requirement for short stays in the UK for nationals from the Gulf and Jordan.
Applicants for an ETA must provide biographic and biometric information and answer questions regarding suitability and criminality.
The application process ensures that individuals who pose a security risk to the UK, such as criminals, are not granted entry. Once approved, the ETA is digitally linked to the applicant’s passport.
While the standard processing time for an ETA application is three working days, the majority of applications have been decided within hours.
Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain, expressed her enthusiasm for the new system, stating, “It’s great to see the electronic travel authorisation scheme underway for Qatari visitors, making travel to the UK easier, cheaper, and more flexible for them. We look forward to the scheme rolling out to more Gulf nationals from February 2024, which, combined with our strong airline connections, will further boost our competitive tourism offer and our welcome to visitors from the region.”
To ensure a smooth implementation, the UK government is working closely with global airline, maritime, and rail carriers, recognising their crucial role in the successful delivery of the ETA scheme.
In the future, the ETA scheme will be expanded worldwide to include those who do not currently require a visa to visit or transit through the UK, including nationals from Europe and America.
Further information regarding the opening of the scheme for other nationalities will be provided in due course.
Follow us on
