The new British electronic visit permit is set to cost only £10, thus making travel to the United Kingdom more affordable and easier for visitors from the Gulf states and Jordan.
Residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan will soon be required to pay only £10 to apply for the electronic visit permit, which allows them to visit the United Kingdom multiple times over two years. This is in comparison to the current £30 paid by Gulf citizens under the current electronic visa waiver system, and the £100 paid by Jordanian citizens for a visit visa.
The new electronic visit permit system is planned to be implemented for Qatari citizens in October 2023, and for citizens of other GCC countries and Jordan in February 2024, before expanding globally throughout 2024.
Earlier this year, the British government announced the implementation of the new electronic visit permit system as part of its efforts to digitize UK border points by 2025 to enhance border security and the visitor experience. The electronic visit permit is a digital authorization for travelers visiting or transiting through the UK who don’t need a visa for short visits or who don’t currently hold another UK visa.
Robert Generick, the Minister for Immigration, said, “Visitors from the Gulf states and Jordan contribute enormously to the tourism sector in the UK, and the new electronic visit permit will make their visits to the UK easier and less expensive. The cost of the electronic visit permit will be one of the most affordable simple visas compared to similar international visas. This nominal additional cost borne by visitors allows us to enhance British border security and maintain the safety of our communities.”
Lord Ahmed, the Minister for Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia said, “I am pleased that our partners across the Gulf region and Jordan are among the first beneficiaries of the new British electronic visit permit system. This is further evidence of the strong partnership between the UK and countries across the region. By reducing visa costs and requirements, this electronic visit permit program will ensure that visitors from the Gulf states and Jordan can visit the UK with ease, strengthening business and tourism ties between our countries.”
Visitors from the Gulf states are significant to the British economy, as the UK welcomed more than 790,000 visitors from the Gulf states last year, who spent over £2 billion during their stay.
The transition to the electronic visit permit system means removing visa requirements for citizens of the GCC countries and Jordan, thus leveling them with other visitors, such as from the United States and Australia, regarding UK visit requirements.
The process to apply for the electronic visit permit will be simple, quick, and entirely digital using a mobile app. To apply, travelers need to provide personal and biometric details, such as submitting a digital photo and answering a number of relevant questions.
