KUWAIT: The United Kingdom’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme has seen a significant uptake, with over 95,000 ETAs issued to Kuwaiti nationals since its launch in early 2024, the UK Embassy in Kuwait announced on Monday.

Since February, Kuwaiti citizens have been exempted from the pre-entry visa requirement for travel to the UK. The ETA allows Kuwaiti nationals—and citizens of other GCC countries—to visit the UK as often as they wish within a two-year period. The UK continues to be a popular destination for travelers from the Gulf region, with an estimated 800,000 visitors from Gulf countries recorded in 2022.

“While collaboration in fields such as trade and investment, and defense and security, has long underpinned our special ties, what truly binds us together are the extraordinary links between our people,” UK Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Lewis said.

The months between July and September saw an increase in the number of ETAs issued, with 47,142 approvals granted in just three months. In total, 95,381 ETAs have been issued since the scheme’s rollout in February. Ambassador Lewis noted that the initiative has “made taking short trips to the UK easier and more flexible than ever before.” This year holds special significance for both nations as they celebrate 125 years of official diplomatic relations. The milestone has been marked with various cultural events and high-level diplomatic exchanges, further strengthening the enduring partnership between the UK and Kuwait.