Gulf residents get visa waiver
The Home Office has relaxed visa requirements for the Gulf states.
From January 1, residents of the United Arab Emirates, Oman and will be able to obtain an electronic visa waiver (EVW) to travel to the UK instead of needing to apply for a visit visa.
The Government said it intends to extend similar arrangements to Kuwait later in 2014.
The move was welcomed by Sandie Dawe, CEO of VisitBritain.
"Britain is a popular destination for residents of the Gulf States. Last year saw a record 37% increase in the value of Gulf residents’ spending in Britain – that’s also a record average of £3,555 per visitor.
"We know there is already a huge aspiration to travel to Britain to shop and to enjoy our attractions and events, so we’re delighted that the recent visa changes will make it easier to get here, and to come more often. If current trends continue, we are set to see another record year for Arab visitors in 2013."
Those eligible for the electronic visa waiver will be able to travel to the UK after completing and printing a short online form, 48 hours before travel.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists