UK introduces $13 online visas for GCC, Jordanian nationals

Jack Dutton

Jun 8, 2023

Passengers traveling from one of the countries on the "red list" are escorted through the arrivals area of terminal 5 of Heathrow airport and onto a waiting coach, on Feb. 16, 2021 in London, England. — Passengers traveling from one of the countries on the "red list" are escorted through the arrivals area of Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport and onto a waiting coach, on Feb. 16, 2021, in London, England. — Leon Neal/Getty Images

LONDON — The United Kingdom has announced a new £10 ($12.54) Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) visa scheme for Gulf Corporation Council and Jordanian nationals visiting the European country, making travel to the island more affordable for millions in the Middle East.

Previously, Gulf nationals paid £30 ($37.63) per visit to the UK, while Jordanians paid £100 ($125.42) for a visitor visa.

GCC states include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.

In June 2022, Britain introduced an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) scheme, which allowed GCC citizens to apply for authorization to travel to Britain online for £30. An EVW allows people to visit the UK for up to six months for tourism, business, study or medical treatment.