The government of the United Kingdom has announced a new UK entry requirement for citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as well as Jordan. By early 2024, it will be mandatory for these nationals to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to visit the UK. The UK ETA requirement will first come into effect
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UK ETA Online
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The UK ETA visa waiver is an electronic travel authorization that permits eligible citizens to travel to the United Kingdom for purposes of tourism, visiting family or friends, business, transit, or to study.
This United Kingdom visa online waiver is being implemented by the British government in order to improve security at UK borders and pre-screen visa-exempt travelers.
The UK electronic travel authorization will first be available for citizens of Qatar from 15 November 2024.
It will then be rolled out to nationals of other GCC countries and Jordan from 22 February 2024.
It is also expected that other nationalities who do not currently need a visa for the United Kingdom will also be required to apply for an ETA to visit the UK later in 2024.
This will be confirmed on this website once announced by the British government.
An approved UK ETA visa online is a multiple entry travel authorization valid for 2 years from approval.
It allows the holder to enter the United Kingdom for a stay of up to 6 months at a time for the purposes listed above.
Eligible citizens are able to apply for a UK eVisa through the simple online UK visa application. It is necessary to complete the application form for a visa for the United Kingdom with basic passport, travel, and personal information, which only takes a few minutes to fill in.
Applicants must also answer a few security questions to submit the online form and receive an approved ETA for the UK sent by email.
Those who wish to visit the United Kingdom for purposes other than those permitted with the UK tourist eVisa, or for longer periods of stay, should contact the nearest consulate or embassy of the UK for further information.
Highlights
Valid for 2 years and multiple entries
Allows stays of up to 6 months for tourism, business, studying, or visiting friends and family
Permits transit through the UK
Allows a stay of up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
What is Necessary?
Biometric passport
Valid email address
Method of payment (credit or debit card)
UK ETA Requirements
In order to submit a UK ETA application, it is first necessary for applicants to meet the online UK visa requirements.
The passport requirements for a UK eVisa state the applicant should have a valid biometric passport from a country eligible for the electronic travel authorization.
UK ETA visa requirements also state that it is necessary for the applicant to have a valid debit or credit card to pay the mandatory visa fee.
Applicants are also required to supply a current email address at which to receive the approved ETA for the UK.
Once approved, it is necessary to print a copy of the UK electronic travel authorization to present upon arrival to officials at British border control, alongside their passport, to gain entry to the country.
The eVisa ETA holder should take care to use the same passport to travel to the United Kingdom that they used to complete the UK ETA application online, as the details of the passport must match those on the approved ETA.
Further UK immigration requirements for the electronic authorization may be announced after the ETA is expanded to other nationalities. These will be published on this site once made available by the British government.
Covid Update for United Kingdom
Last update: 17/03/2023
To enter or transit through the UK, passengers arriving from or have passed through China must have a negative test result taken within 2 days before traveling. Children under 12 are exempt. All other COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. Citizens of certain GCC countries must apply for a UK EVW. Find out the travel requirements that you must meet to visit the country by checking the visa policy of United Kingdom.
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United Kingdom Visa Policy
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United Kingdom Visa FAQ
What is the UK ETA?
The UK ETA visa waiver is an electronic travel authorization. It allows eligible citizens to travel to the United Kingdom for short stays for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, study purposes, or to transit through the country on the way to an onward destination.
Who is eligible for a UK ETA?
The ETA will first become mandatory for Citizens of Qatar from 15 November 2023.
From 22 February 2024, it will become a UK entry requirement for nationals of:- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Jordan
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
Additional nationalities will be added to the eligibility list later in 2024. These are expected to include citizens of EU countries and all other nationalities who can stay in the UK visa free for short stays.
What is the validity period of the UK electronic travel authorization?
The UK electronic travel authorization is valid for a total of 2 years from the date of approval, or until the associated passport expires.
How long can I stay in the United Kingdom with the travel authorization?
An approved UK ETA allows you to stay for up to 6 months per entry to the United Kingdom, for purposes of:
- Tourism
- Visiting friends and family
- Business
- To study
It also permits the holder to transit through the UK and allows those with a Creative Worker visa concession to stay for up to 3 months at a time.
Is the eVisa for the UK valid for multiple entries?
Yes, the ETA for the UK is valid for multiple entries.
How do I apply for an eVisa online for the UK?
Eligible citizens are able to apply for an eVisa waiver for the UK through a simple online application which only takes a few minutes to complete. Applicants are required to fill in basic personal, passport, and travel information, and answer a few security questions, to submit the form and receive an approved UK electronic visa waiver.
What do I need to submit an application for the UK Electronic Travel Authorization?
In order to submit a UK ETA application online, it is necessary to have:
- A valid biometric passport from an ETA-eligible country
- A current email address at which to receive the approved UK eVisa
- A credit or debit card to pay the online UK visa fee.
How much does the UK online visa cost?
The government fee for the UK ETA is yet to be announced. It will be published on this site once made available.
Do I need a UK eVisa for all my children? Should I include them on my application?
All citizens from UK ETA-required countries need to have an individually approved travel authorization to travel to the United Kingdom. Parents and legal guardians are able to submit a separate application on behalf of each of their children, indicating this on the form.
How long will my UK eVisa take to process?
The standard UK ETA processing time is around 3 business days from the moment of submitting the application. In some cases, you may receive a quicker decision, or it may take longer to process if additional checks are required.
Do I need to get an ETA if I am just in transit in the UK?
Yes, all citizens eligible for the UK ETA will be required to obtain a UK transit visa waiver through the online form if transiting through the United Kingdom on the way to a third destination.
What do I do if my eVisa for the UK is denied?
If the UK visa online is denied, applicants are able to submit a new UK visa waiver application online. It is essential for applicants to ensure that all the information provided is correct before submitting the eVisa application.
This is because even small mistakes may result in a denial of the UK ETA electronic visa waiver travel authorization, or a delay in processing the online form.
How can I check my UK eVisa status?
It is possible to check the UK ETA visa application status through the updates and notifications sent to the current email address provided by the applicant on the online form.
Do I need to print a copy of the electronic travel authorization for the UK?
Yes, applicants are required to print a copy of the approved ETA for the United Kingdom to present to an immigration official alongside their passport upon arrival at UK border control, or show border officers a digital copy on an electronic device.
Under what circumstances would I need to re-apply for an eVisa for the UK?
Applicants are required to apply for a new online visa for the UK if the passport they used to complete the application expires.
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