VIDEO: Britain to scrap visa requirement for Emiratis, other GCC nationals from 2023
- 27 Jun 2022
The photo has been used for illutrative purposes.
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
The UAE Ambassador to the United Kingdom Mansoor Abulhoul announced that Emiratis could visit Britain without a visa starting from 2023.
Mansoor Abulhoul said on Twitter, “The UAE will be one of the first countries under the ETA scheme. Emirati citizens will not need a visa to visit the UK from 2023.
“Reducing travel restrictions for Emiratis has been a top priority for me. I'm proud our efforts now mean Emiratis seeking to visit the UK can now achieve greater ease of travel.”
The British Minister of the Interior, Preeti Patel announced on Monday the exemption of citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries from the visa process to to enter the United Kingdom.
Patel said in a press statement that the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries will be among the first countries to benefit from the new visa exemption system, which will be replaced by a new system called the "electronic travel permit," which will start operating next year.
The British Ministry of the Interior said in a press statement that the decision to exempt the Gulf countries will facilitate travel for its citizens for the purposes of tourism and other specific visits, and they will not need to go to the British embassy to issue a visa to visit the United Kingdom.
The ministry confirmed that the "e-travel permit" will not be applied to students who intend to study at British universities or other categories of travellers who wish to visit the United Kingdom for a longer period.
She explained that the government's intention to implement the new travel system came as a step for an important part of the British government's plan to move to digital borders by 2025; It will broadly apply to passengers visiting or transiting through the UK who do not need a visa for short visits.
