UK to require electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers from Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Starting November 15, 2023, travelers from Qatar who do not need a visa to enter the UK will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling. The ETA will be linked to their passport and will allow them to travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family and friends, business, study, or transit.
Similarly, starting February 22, 2024, travelers from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will also need to apply for an ETA before traveling to the UK.
The ETA can be applied for online and costs £30. It is valid for two years and allows multiple entries to the UK.
There are some exceptions to the ETA requirement. For example, British and Irish citizens, people with permission to live, work, or study in the UK, and people with a valid UK visa do not need an ETA.