According to June 2024’s official statistics, the United Kingdom (UK) has seen a significant rise in visa and ETA applications and grants.
This growth comes as it manages the post-pandemic travel surge and adapts to the new digital travel permit scheme for Gulf visitors.
The UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme has become increasingly popular among certain citizens of select Gulf countries.
As of June 2024, the British government received 393,253 UK ETA applications, with 388,021 granted.
So far, only 5,232 UK ETA applications have been denied travel authorization.
The ETA simplifies the entry process for visitors who do not require a visa for short stays in the UK. This includes trips for tourism or permitted business activities.
It allows the government to streamline entry for pre-screened non-visa nationals before they arrive.
The new digital permit system is a part of the plan to modernize and strengthen the UK’s border system.
ETA applications and grants per country
The UK ETA scheme is only open to citizens of Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) and Jordan who want to visit the UK.
GCC countries include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Qataris started applying for ETAs in late October 2024. The rest of the GCC countries and Jordan submitted ETA applications beginning February 2024.
Jordan nationals had the highest number of ETA applications and grants, with 146,740 applications and 144,247 grants.
Saudi Arabian citizens come in second, with 118,451 ETA applications and 117,360 approved.
Next are Kuwaiti visitors, with 48,888 ETA applications and 48,239 grants.
Nearly all of the 30,391 Qatari and 29,777 Emirati ETA applicants were approved.
Omani and Bahrain citizens also submitted ETA applications but in smaller numbers.
These figures illustrate the increasing dependence on the ETA scheme by Gulf nations.
It also demonstrates the UK’s efforts to cultivate closer relations with these countries.
Boost in Gulf visitor numbers due to the UK ETA scheme
The ETA scheme has significantly made traveling to the UK smoother for Gulf country citizens.
GCC countries previously required a single-entry Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) that costs £30 per application.
On the other hand, the UK ETA allows for multiple short visits to the UK for two years. It only costs £10 per application.
GCC nationals from the UAE have shown increased interest in visiting the UK due to the ETA and more stable airfares.
Those who require a UK visa are also encouraged to do so due to quicker UK visa processing times.
In a recent study, about 87 percent of Gulf investors intend to invest in the UK’s real estate due to favorable market conditions and the ETA.
These factors have led to increased travel demand, making the UK a preferred destination for leisure and business among Gulf visitors.
UK Standard Visitor visa applications and grants on the rise
Alongside ETAs, UK Standard Visitor visa applications and grants have also increased.
In the year ending June 2024, 2.1 million visitor visas were granted, a 16 percent increase from the previous year.
This rise highlights the ongoing recovery of international travel following the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the registered visitor visa grants are still 13 percent lower than the pre-pandemic year 2019.
Indian and Chinese nationals dominated the visitor visa category, with Indian nationals accounting for 25 percent at 530,587.
On the other hand, Chinese nationals are close behind at 24 percent of visitor visas granted at 507,883.
The number of visas granted to Chinese nationals has doubled compared to the previous year. However, it is still down 21 percent from the peak in 2019.
The next most prominent groups of visa applicants were Turkey, Nigeria, Pakistan, and South Africa nationals.
The Home Office cited the rise in visitor visas as proof of the UK’s strong appeal to tourists and business travelers.
On the other hand, the overall decrease in visitor visas compared to 2019 is partly due to changes in visa requirements for certain nationalities.
For instance, Saudi nationals have not required a visa to visit the UK since June 2022, resulting in 119,107 fewer visitor visas being issued to them.
They are also counted as ETA applicants and grants since the travel authorization opened to them in February 2024.
Future of traveling to the UK
The UK’s visa policy changes and ETA scheme aim to streamline short-term visitor entry while upholding robust border controls.
The Home Office plans for a broader rollout of the new digital travel permit schemes in 2024 or early 2025.
Soon, all non-visa nationals coming to the UK will have to obtain a UK ETA before their trip.
This includes citizens of the European Union (EU), the United States (US), and other countries with visa waiver status in the UK.
With more nationalities expected to gain access to the UK ETA scheme, the number of ETA applications and grants is likely to grow.