Bahraini Ambassador attends UK's ETA inauguration

London, Feb. 2 (BNA): Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahraini Ambassador to the United Kingdom, today participated in the inauguration ceremony of the “Electronic Travel Authorization” (ETA), held at Lancaster Palace.
 
Co-organised by the UK Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the ceremony was also attended by James Cleverly, Home Secretary, ambassadors and security attachés at the embassies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan to Britain, in addition to officials from the Home Office and FCDO.
 
Addressing the ceremony, James Cleverly said that the inauguration of the ETA for GCC and Jordanian citizens affirms the depth of relations between Britain and those countries, noting that the UK’s implementation of the scheme with GCC states and Jordan before any of its other close allies, reflects the extent of its interest in those countries, which it considers among its most important and closest allies and international partners.
 
The UK Home Secretary indicated that the implementation of the ETA is the first step towards facilitating travel procedures, noting that during the next step, the GCC and Jordanian nationals will be able to use the electronic gates (E-Gate) at all UK airports.
 
This cooperation also reflects the common priorities between these countries, which include enhancing trade, investment and security, James Cleverly added.
 
The UK Home Secretary also announced that starting from February 1, GCC and Jordanian citizens may apply for ETA which comes into effect on February 22, 2024, stressing that lifting the mandatory entry visa is a transitional and positive step that has been implemented for the United Kingdom’s allies and partners.
 
On the occasion, Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa stated that the ETA would contribute to further strengthening the UK’s robust long-standing relations with the GCC and Jordan.  
 
The move is also the fruitful outcome of the continuous efforts of those countries’ embassies and the relevant British authorities to remove obstacles and reduce previous travel requirements for citizens wishing to visit or transit through the United Kingdom, he said.
 
Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed added that the new service, which is issued quickly at a nominal price, will contribute to boosting tourism and travel movement, as well as joint cooperation between the relevant countries and the UK.
 
It is worth noting that the Electronic Travel Authorization, which is issued in no more than three days at £10, allows its holders from the GCC and Jordan to enter the UK or transit through it easily and smoothly, without the usual entry visa requirements.
 
Meanwhile, the ETA maintains security and effective border procedures to ensure that the necessary security checks are carried out before traveling, as it exempts those wishing to travel from submitting biometric information (photo and fingerprints), visiting visa application centres or handing over a passport.
 
The ETA allows travelers from the GCC and Jordan multiple entries into the UK for two years.