The UK Home Office will process the Electronic Travel Authorization, ETA, authorization to visit the country, which can be applied for online by completing a form and paying €11.66.
The move will be implemented exclusively for visitors from Qatar, starting in October, according to EuroNews. Visitors have to apply for authorization by filling an online form and providing biometric passport requirement, travel details, email and credit or debit card.
From January 2024, the process will be extended to arrivals from Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan, and by the end of 2024 it will apply to travelers from all countries, including Europeans, Australians, North Americans and Canadians.
Officials argue that the implementation of ETA is aimed at reducing queues at borders and streamlining the process of moving into the UK. Access corridors are equipped with facial recognition technology.
ETA is not a visa and will replace the electronic visa waiver currently required for visitors residing in countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
After the application, the visitor will receive a reply in about 72 hours and the validity period of the ETA is six months or if the visitor also has a visa, the validity period is two years.
British or Irish passport holders are exempt from this measure.
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