The UK Government has announced that starting June 1, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will join other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with UK electronic visa waiver status. As a result, British visas will be granted to Saudis and Bahrainis for £30 within 48 hours.
Previously, Britain had granted visitors from Qatar, Oman, the UAE, and Kuwait the same waiver status.
Saudi Ambassador to the UK Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan welcomed the British decision, wishing for more cooperation and prosperity between the Kingdoms.
The move hopes to encourage Saudis and Bahrainis who intend to visit the United Kingdom for tourism, medical treatment, or to study for a short period.
In the past, Saudi and Bahraini visitors had to wait a month or more to obtain a visa, but with the implementation of the decision, it will be easy to go to Britain for a maximum of six months.
Now, eligible individuals can provide notification of travel with an electronic visa waiver up to three months before travel and as late as 48 hours before travel.
However, applicants for this visa cannot use it for work, marriage, or any other reason outside the limits of the visit limited to tourism, treatment, and study for a short period.
