The UK is making travel easier for visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. If you're from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, or Oman, you can now apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online. Whether you're visiting for a holiday, business meeting, family visit, or short-term study, this guide will show you how to apply for a UK ETA visa step by step.
What Is the UK ETA?
The UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is a new travel requirement visa-exempt nationals, including GCC citizens, who plan to visit the UK. It works like a digital visa waiver and is linked to your visa. Once approved, you can travel to the UK without needing a traditional visa.
Who Needs a UK ETA?
As of 2025, the UK ETA is required for:
UK ETA for GCC citizens (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman)
Travelers coming for tourism, business, study (up to 6 months), medical treatment, or transit
If you’re applying for a UK tourist copyright, UK business visa, or even for a family visit, and you’re from a GCC country, you now only need to get an ETA instead of a full visa.
UK ETA Eligibility
To be eligible, you must:
Hold a valid visa from a GCC country
Not need a visa visit the UK for less than 6 months
Plan to visit for tourism, business, short studies, or UK transit visa UK ETA purposes
Not have any serious criminal convictions or UK immigration issues
UK ETA Application Requirements
To complete your UK ETA visa, you’ll need:
A valid biometric visa
A recent digital photo
Your travel details
A credit or debit card for payment
How to Apply for UK ETA Online: Step-by-Step
Here’s how to apply UK ETA online quickly and easily:
Go to the official UK government website
Visit the UK ETA application page at www.gov.uk.
Create an account
Register with your email address and set a password.
Fill out the application form
Personal information (name, birth date, nationality)
visa details
Travel information
Security questions
Upload documents
A clear photo of your face
A scanned image of your visa
Pay the UK ETA fee
The UK ETA fee is £10 (as of 2025)
Pay online using a credit or debit card
Submit and wait
Most applications are processed within 48 to 72 hours
You’ll receive your UK travel authorization by email
UK ETA Validity and Duration
Validity: 2 years or until your visa expires (whichever comes first)
You can use it for multiple short-term visits during the validity period
Each stay must be no longer than 6 months
When Should You Apply?
Apply at least 3 days before your travel date to avoid delays. For last-minute travel or connecting flights, give yourself extra time for UK visa processing time.
UK ETA for Different Travel Purposes
UK tourist visa: For vacations, sightseeing, or family visits
UK business visa: For meetings, conferences, or job interviews
UK student visa ETA: For short study programs or courses under 6 months
UK visa for family visit: Visiting relatives or friends
UK transit visa UK ETA: Connecting flights through the UK
Final Tips Before You Travel
Double-check your ETA approval email
Ensure your visa and ETA match exactly
Bring the same visa you used to apply
No need to print anything — your ETA is linked electronically
Conclusion
Applying for a UK ETA for UAE citizens and other GCC nationals is simple, affordable, and 100% online. It’s a game-changer for anyone looking to travel to the UK for short stays. Save time, skip embassy queues, and travel confidently with your UK Electronic Travel Authorisation in hand.