UK Expands ETA After Successful Trial With GCC Countries

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) LONDON, Nov 27 (KUNA) -- The UK Home Office announced Wednesday the expansion of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system to include several non-European countries, aiming to simplify travel to the United Kingdom.
In a statement, the Home Office explained that the new system will come into effect starting January 8, 2024, for non-European countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Additional European countries will join the system beginning April 2, 2024.
The decision follows a successful trial with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries earlier this year, during which more than 243,000 electronic travel authorizations were issued to GCC nationals in the first half of 2024.
The Home Office highlighted that expanding the system is a significant step toward modernizing border and entry procedures in line with technological advancements.
The new measures are expected to attract a large number of visitors, making the UK appear more dynamic and diverse. In 2023, visitors from US, Canada, and Australia alone contributed at least 8.8 billion pounds about (USD 12 billion) to the UK economy.
The ETA, which costs ten pounds (USD 12.60), is valid for two years, allows multiple entries, and permits holders to stay in the UK for up to six months per trip.
The ETA system was first introduced for Qatari nationals at the end of last year, before being extended to other GCC countries, including Kuwait, on February 22, 2024, as well as Jordan. (end)
mrn

MENAFN27112024000071011013ID1108932396