UK ETA for Qatari Citizens

A UK electronic travel authorization (ETA) for Qatari citizens is a digital travel permit to enter the UK for short stays. The ETA application was opened to Qatari citizens on October 25, 2023, and became a requirement to travel to the UK from November 15, 2023. Qatari citizens were the first to benefit from the ETA system then it was launched to nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates on February 1, 2024, for travel from February 22. However, Jordan was removed from the list of eligible countries in September of the same year

The UK government launched the ETA system to strengthen border security by pre-screening every traveler before they arrive in the UK. This helps the Border Force to prevent individuals who may pose a risk to public safety from entering the UK. 

The ETA for the UK has also simplified the travel process for Qatari nationals and nationals of other countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Previously, GCC nationals had to apply for a UK Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) to travel to the UK. The UK ETA costs less than a UK visa waiver and allows for multiple trips with a single application. 

The introduction of the UK ETA is in line with other ETA systems that several countries have implemented to improve border security. Countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States of America already have an ETA scheme for short stays for tourism and business purposes. The application process is usually simple and quick, and can be submitted online for a basic fee. The EU is also set to launch a similar system in 2026 called the ETIAS. 

The United Kingdom ETA only permits entry into the UK for the following purposes: 

• Visiting the UK for up to six months for tourism, family and friends visits, business, or short-term study. 
• Coming to the UK on the Creative Worker Visa concession for up to three months

• You will require a valid Creative Worker certificate of sponsorship
• You can work in a role in the creative industry.

• Coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement for up to six months, such as to conduct lectures or speak at a conference. 
• Transiting through the UK (only if you pass through border control).

To clear any confusion, there is no such thing called a UK ETA visa. The UK ETA is not a visa and there isn’t a UK electronic visa. A UK ETA can be fully completed online and has been introduced to citizens of countries who previously traveled to the UK without a visa. 

A UK visa has a more complex application process and will require travel to a visa application center or embassy even though part of the process requires filling and submitting the application online but the UK does not have an eVisa program that is fully electronic.

The UK visa also typically requires the applicant to prepare extensive documentation, such as birth certificates, bank statements, pay slips, and title deeds. These documents are required to show that the individual can financially sustain themselves during their stay in the UK. They should also demonstrate that the applicants have strong ties to their home country and will leave the UK before their visa expires. 

Qatari citizens who wish to visit the UK for tourism can apply for a UK ETA, which is a quick and easy online process, unlike the UK Standard Visitor visa, or the UK visit visa. The UK Standard Visitor visa is also much more costly than an ETA and has a significantly longer processing time. This visa is valid for short-term stays in the UK, like an ETA. 

If you wish to travel to the UK for purposes apart from those permitted under an ETA, such as for work, long-term study, marriage, or residence in the UK, you will need to apply for one of the relevant UK visa types instead.

Review the eligibility criteria to decide if you should apply for an ETA for the UK from Qatar:

• You are not planning to stay for more than six months. 

• • You should only apply for an ETA if you’re visiting the UK for less than six months.
  • You should not be planning to work, pursue long-term study, or reside in the UK with an ETA. 

• You do not have a criminal history.

• • If you were convicted of a criminal offense and received a sentence of 12 months or more, your ETA will be refused if you apply for one. You will also receive a refusal if 12 months have not passed since the date of your conviction. 
  • Convictions in the UK and any other country will be considered relevant. 

• You do not have a deportation or exclusion order. 

• • You will not be eligible for an ETA if you are subject to an exclusion or deportation order.  

• You have not violated any immigration laws. 

• • If you breached the conditions of your visa, such as overstaying in a country or working on a tourist visa, you may get a refusal.

• You have not been refused a UK visa previously. 

• • If you had a UK visa refusal before, you may not be eligible for an ETA. You will require a visa instead.

Check out the following tips to ensure a successful UK ETA application from Qatar:  

• Enter your passport information accurately. 

• • Many individuals make the mistake of inputting an incorrect passport number. This can lead to an ETA rejection and cause delays to your travel plans.
  • Thoroughly check that you have entered the correct passport number in the application. 

• Check your passport validity. 

• • Ensure that your passport has not expired or has less than six months of validity from the intended date of departure to the UK. Renew your passport before applying for the ETA if it is expiring soon. 

• Apply well in advance. 

• • Even though the ETA has a short processing time, it is advisable to apply well ahead of your intended travel to avoid any delays.

A UK ETA rejection means the application was not processed due to incorrect or missing information. For example, you may have uploaded a photo of yourself where your eyes were not clearly visible or that had objects in the background. In other scenarios, you may have entered your full name incorrectly. If your ETA was rejected, correct the issues and submit a fresh application. 

If you receive a UK ETA refusal, it means that your application was processed, but that you were not considered to be an eligible applicant for an ETA. It may be due to your criminal record or previous violations of immigration laws. In this scenario, it is not possible to appeal against the decision or submit a new application. Your next step will be to apply for a UK visa from Qatar.

After you receive your ETA, you can proceed with your travels to the UK. When you check in at the airport, the airline staff will check that you have a valid ETA. They may refuse to board you if you do not have a valid ETA. 

Upon arriving in the UK, the Border Force officer may ask you about why you’re visiting the UK, where you will be staying, and what you will be doing. They may ask you to present your hotel bookings, return tickets, or show evidence of sufficient funds for your time in London or other parts of the UK. Prepare all the supporting documents to show the officer to ensure a smoother entry process. 

Even though there are eGates that allow for automated clearance, they are not available for Qatari citizens. They are currently only open to British citizens and nationals of EU countries, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and the USA. They are also available for members of the Registered Traveller Service. 

The ETA does not affect the departure process, and you can re-enter the UK without any additional procedures as the ETA allows for multiple entries. You can visit England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland with an ETA. 

Note that you cannot undertake work, pursue long-term study, get married, or live in the UK with an ETA. If you are planning to do any of these, apply for a relevant UK visa instead.