Published on 09.06.2023
Residents of the Arabian Gulf countries will be able to apply for visas to visit the UK at a reduced cost
The British government will reduce the cost of visas for residents of the Arabian Gulf countries and Jordan to visit the United Kingdom. Currently, guests from the GCC countries pay £30 and from Jordan — £100 pounds for a visa. Under the new rules, the price for applying for an Electronic travel authorization (ETA) will be £10, or $12.40.
The decision was taken by the British authorities against the backdrop of high tourist figures. Last year, 790,000 tourists from the GCC came to the country and spent $2.5bn. Tourists from the Gulf States and Jordan stay in the UK longer than guests from any other country: on average, 12 nights versus 7 for non GCC residents.
The decision was taken by the British authorities against the backdrop of high tourist figures. Last year, 790,000 tourists from the GCC came to the country and spent $2.5bn. Tourists from the Gulf States and Jordan stay in the UK longer than guests from any other country: on average, 12 nights versus 7 for non GCC residents.
The decrease in the cost of visas is also due to the popularity of London among tourists and business professionals from GCC countries.
According to the data accumulated by the luxury clothing store, 16% of shoppers in 2022 were from the Gulf States and Jordan.
According to the British Minister for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, Tariq Ahmad, residents of Qatar will be the first to benefit from ETA. For them, the system will start operating on November 15, 2023. For the rest of the GCC and Jordan, the launch is scheduled for February 22, 2024, and for the rest of the world, within a year.
Electronic travel authorization (ETA) is a system for people who do not need a visa for short-term stays or for transit travel. A similar system is in place in Canada and the United States of America.
According to the British Minister for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, Tariq Ahmad, residents of Qatar will be the first to benefit from ETA. For them, the system will start operating on November 15, 2023. For the rest of the GCC and Jordan, the launch is scheduled for February 22, 2024, and for the rest of the world, within a year.
Electronic travel authorization (ETA) is a system for people who do not need a visa for short-term stays or for transit travel. A similar system is in place in Canada and the United States of America.
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Amit Seth
Managing Director