The new visa-free entrance programme ETA streamlines, accelerates, and reduces the cost of travel to UK

A new visa-free entrance programme known as Electromnic Travel Authorization (ETA), which has streamlined, accelerated, and decreased the cost of travel to the UK. 

Emiratis travelling to the UK for a brief vacation no longer require a visa as of February 22 may apply for an ETA using the Gov.UK website or the "UK ETA" app. For about £10 (Dh47), the entrance pass entitles holders to two years of unlimited travel.

An ETA authorises travel to the UK but does not provide admission into the country. It is not the same as a visa. Even after arriving, a person must still acquire permission to enter by speaking with a Border Force Officer or, if they are qualified, utilising an eGate.

With an online application, "approval may often take a few hours only," but it can potentially take up to three days in some circumstances. Applicants can use the GOV.UK website or the mobile app.

Travellers may utilise ETA for up to six months per visit, several times over the course of two years, for just £10 (Dh47). In contrast to earlier times when travellers had to pay higher costs through the electronic visa waiver system, the new electronic permission has decreased the cost of travel to the UK.

According to Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain (UK’s national tourism agency), to Khaleej Times, an ETA is linked to a person's passport rather than their travel schedule and is good for two years. Once more, ETAs are good for two years from the date on the passport, whichever comes first.

The ETA programme is open to citizens of all GCC nations, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, in addition to Emiratis. For the same £10 application cost, Jordanians are also eligible for ETA.

UAE nationals living abroad must comply with the current immigration regulations. For further information on visa requirements, they can go to the GOV.UK website.