From 1 June 2022, citizens of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will be able to travel to the UK for tourism, business, study, or medical treatment for up to six months with an electronic visa waiver.
An electronic visa waiver allows the holder to travel to the UK without obtaining a visa provided they complete an online waiver for each visit.
VisitBritain’s director for Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa (APMEA) and North Asia, Tricia Warwick, said: “Travellers from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will now be able to obtain their British visa in 48 hours and for 30 GBP.”
The process is much faster than applying for a visa as there is no need to provide biometric information – photograph and fingerprints. These GCC nationals also will not need to visit a visa application centre or hand in passports ahead of travel.
The Home Secretary of the United Kingdom Priti Patel, said: “This visa waiver for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will better connect the people of our countries and boost economic prosperity.
“The electronic visa waiver is a quick, digital alternative to the regular visit visa and ensures all the necessary security checks are carried out in advance of travel. The visa improvements will provide greater security, while making it easier and cheaper for visitors from the Gulf to travel here for leisure and business.”
Saudi Arabia and Bahrain join other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states with electronic visa waiver status.
The move aims to maintain security and effective border processes ensuring necessary security checks are carried out ahead of travel whilst enabling smooth transit through the UK border for visitors.
The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, Liz Truss, said: “This visa waiver will strengthen our relationships with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, making it easier for visitors from the Gulf to come to the UK. Our friendships with both countries are of great importance, built on shared priorities such as trade, investment and security.”
The positive change comes as the United Kingdom has re-opened to business and has welcomed international visitors back after lifting all Covid-19 travel restrictions lifted.
VisitBritain, which welcomed the announcement by the UK Government, has already been rolling out a multi-million-pound global Great Britain marketing campaign “Welcome to another side of Britain” to inspire visitors to book a trip to the UK.
Tricia Warwick added: “Saudi Arabia is one of our highest spending markets, we know there is strong pent-up demand for international travel from the Gulf and making it easier for visitors to get to the UK is crucial to our message of welcome and to our competitive tourism offer.”
In 2019, the UK saw 221,000 visitors from Saudi Arabia with those visitors spending £627 million. Saudi Arabia is the UK’s 13 most valuable market for visitor spending.
Visitors from Saudi Arabia are some of the UK’s highest spenders, spending on average £2,841 per visit in 2019, more than four times the all market average.
These visitors also stay longer than other international visitors, an average of 16 nights compared to the all market average of seven, VisitBritain revealed in a statement.
In 2019, the UK saw 42,000 visitors from Bahrain with those visitors spending £76 million.
Visitors from Bahrain are some of the UK’s highest spenders, spending on average £1,828 per visit, almost three times the all market average. They also stay longer than other international visitors, an average of nine nights compared to the all market average of seven.
In 2022, travellers can look forward to an incredibly exciting year with landmark events including HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee from 2 June to 6 June, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games from 28 July to 8 August, and the ground-breaking of ‘UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK’ 2022, all presenting exciting and timely opportunities that visitors can only enjoy in the UK.
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