Saturday 20 / April / 2024
Muscat: Starting from 2023, Omani nationals along with citizens of the other five Gulf Cooperation Council countries will not need visas to enter the United Kingdom, as part of the UK's efforts to roll out Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs).
Through the landmark announcement, Gulf nationals will no longer require a visa to visit the UK, bringing rules in line with other key partners to the UK, including the USA and Canada. The decision will further cement the UK as one of the most popular tourist destinations for Gulf Arabs, and will hugely benefit the many citizens of the region visiting the UK each year.
In addition, granting the Gulf countries greater access to the UK will further strengthen already significant economic and diplomatic ties.
The decision was announced by the UK Home Office and is part of the UK Government’s move to a fully digital border by the end of 2025.
UK Home Secretary Priti Patel commented that the Gulf states "will be among the first countries in the world to benefit from ETAs and visa-free travel to the UK".
Prior to the ETA system, which is set to be rolled out in 2023, Omani nationals visiting the UK can continue to use Electronic Visa Waivers, which allow individuals to complete an online waiver for each visit to the UK.
