Next year, UAE nationals will no longer need a visa in order to travel to the UK under the country’s upcoming Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme.
UAE ambassador to the UK, Mansoor Abulhoul broke the news yesterday on Twitter:
“It is a country which is loved so much and so much time spent in, invested so much money in. I think this is a wonderful development and just wanted to express thanks to the UK government and tireless work of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in London,” said Abulhoul in a video on Twitter:
What is an Electronic Travel Authorisation?
The UK ETA is a British entry permit document that will soon be available online for travelers from eligible nations to visit Great Britain for a number of different purposes without acquiring a full visa. It is very similar to the ESTA used to visit the United States.
This new system will screen visitors before they arrive in the UK. It will allow foreign tourists to register quickly and easily for travel permission without having to visit a UK embassy or consulate.
With the ETA, travelers will only need to scan their passport on arrival and will be able to stay in the UK for several months at a time.
When and how UAE nationals can apply for one
At the moment, the etauk.uk website simply states that the ETA is coming soon but mentions that it will be in place by late 2024. However, based on the ambassadors tweet that it will be available to UAE nationals in 2023, that means the country is one of the few to have access to this visa waiver a year before the rest of the world.
When it is available to UAE nationals, they will need to provide their full name, date of birth, country of citizenship as well as their travel details. They will also need to provide their email address as well as credit or debit card to pay the fee.
Everyone travelling in a group must have their own ETA when entering the UK, including children who may have their parents apply on their behalf.
Applicants must fill in and complete the ETA form before arriving in the UK. The entire application process can be completed online in 10-15 minutes.
Once the form has been submitted for approval, a response will be given within 72 hours. If successful, applicants will then receive their multiple entry visa waiver confirmation by email.
A list of all the other eligible citizens for the UK ETA so far as well as further information can be found here.
Earlier this month, Emirates opened up its Premium Economy tickets for booking to some of the month popular destinations. Starting from August 1, Emirates will be open bookings for for passengers wishing to fly to London this summer.