Travel to the UK for visitors from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait is set to be made easier by the launch of an Electronic Travel Authorisation system next February.
On Thursday, the British government announced the new system would replace the UAE's current access to an Electronic Visa Waiver for single visits. However, the upfront costs will be higher.
The GCC and Jordan will be the first countries to benefit from the scheme, which will be rolled out for global partners throughout next year.
Officials said the application process will be designed to be fast and entirely digital with most visitors expected to apply on a mobile app and receive a swift decision on the application.
The cost will be in line with long-standing international schemes, such as those operated by the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Under it, individuals can make multiple visits to the UK over a two-year period. The ETA will require all non-visa arrivals, except British and Irish passport holders, to apply for approval to travel in advance of departure.
Pre-travel security checks are to be conducted on applicants and part of the process involves individuals providing biometric details as well as answering a set of suitability questions.
“I am delighted that our partners in the Middle East will be the first to benefit from the UK’s new scheme," Lord Ahmad, the Minister of State for the Middle East said. "Making travel smoother and more efficient for nationals coming from the GCC and Jordan will boost business and tourism links between the UK and the region.”
Digital systems are one element of a priority policy for the UK government, which has now launched its Illegal Migration Bill to ban asylum applications from those arriving without permission.
“ETAs will enhance our border security by increasing our knowledge about those seeking to come to the UK and preventing the arrival of those who pose a threat," said Robert Jenrick, the Immigration Minister. “It will also improve travel for legitimate visitors, with those visiting from Gulf Cooperation Council states being among the first to benefit.”
What it says
- Visitors from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation to travel to the UK from February 22, 2024, but can apply in advance from February 1. Before 22 February, they will continue to require an Electronic Visa Waiver.
- Visitors from Jordan will need an ETA to travel to the UK from February 22, 2024, but can apply in advance from February 1, 2024. Before February 22, they will continue to require a visa to travel to the UK.
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE%20SQUAD
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Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
