Kuwait welcomes dropped UK visa requirements

Kuwait’s embassy in Britain welcomed on Monday a new travel scheme that would exempt Kuwaitis and other Gulf Arab nationals from visa requirements, saying the measure will save both time and effort.

Under the new rules, Kuwaitis will only need to acquire an electronic travel permit in advance before visiting Britain, a move that encapsulates “long-standing and enduring” bilateral relations, according to an embassy statement.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Monday that Kuwait’s embassy will continue to work with relevant bodies in the UK to finalize the remaining details of the new travel plan, added the statement. Gulf Arab nationals will no longer need to obtain a visa before visiting Britain starting next year, making travel procedures simpler for one of the country’s most ardent visitors.

Under the new scheme, Gulf Cooperation Council citizens will need to acquire an electronic travel permit in advance, replacing the conventional visa requirements, while the new measure will not apply to students or those on prolonged visits, the minister told the press. She went on to describe the measure as a step towards a more “digital border” that will allow for an accurate counting of people who enter or leave the country, in addition to keeping any potential security threats at bay.

All six Gulf states – Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain – by moving to Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)s will become non-visa nationals, meaning they will not require a visa to visit the UK. ETAs enhance the Government’s ability to screen travellers and stop those who pose a threat to the UK by ensuring everyone wishing to travel to the UK (except British and Irish citizens) has permission to do so in advance.