Qatari citizens among first in the world to benefit as UK rolls out its ETA scheme
Qatar and its citizens have always enjoyed strong cultural and financial ties with the United Kingdom.
The bond has now been further strengthened with the introduction of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.
Starting today, Qatari citizens will no longer need a visa to enter the UK and they will be one of the ‘first in the world’ to enjoy this benefit, announced the British Embassy in Doha.
من اليوم لن يحتاج المواطنون القطريون إلى تأشيرة للسفر إلى المملكة المتحدة . وذلك لأن القطريين هم أول المستفيدين في العالممن تصريح السفر الإلكتروني البريطاني الجديد Electronic Travel Authorisation
— UK in Qatar (@ukinqatar) November 15, 2023
يمكنكم التقديم من خلال تطبيق UK ETA أو عبر الموقع:https://t.co/tg6K0UlkG7 pic.twitter.com/0frP7p7z3N
Qatari citizens may apply for an ETA through this website.
Citizens of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will be the next to benefit. They can start applying from February 1, 2024, for travelling from February 22, 2024, onwards.
According to the information on the website, each ETA application will cost £10 (approximately QAR45).
While an approved ETA will be valid for two years, Qatari citizens can travel to the UK multiple times during this period. Babies and children will also need an ETA to travel to the UK.
Qatari citizens can opt for an ETA, instead of a visa, if the traveller is:
* Travelling to the UK for up to six months for tourism, visiting family and friends, or for business or short-term study.
* Travelling to the UK for up to three months on the Creative Worker Visa concession.
* Transiting through the UK (including if you’re not going through UK border control).
Though the UK had announced way back in June 2022 that Qataris and Gulf Cooperation Council nationals would be able to visit the country without a visa, it came to fruition only now.
The ETA scheme is a key part of the UK government’s move to have a fully digital border by the end of 2025.
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