UK visas for GCC citizens

Citizens of the six Gulf Cooperation Council states — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman — were among the first nationalities brought into the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation system, and they visit the UK in large numbers for tourism, business, medical treatment and study. This page covers what depends on GCC citizenship: the ETA, the absence of a TB test, English evidence, the position of government-sponsored students, and the nationality question at the end. It applies to citizens only. Residents of the Gulf who hold another nationality are treated according to that nationality — an Indian or Pakistani national living in Dubai should read the India or Pakistan page.

Visiting the UK

GCC citizens do not need a visitor visa. Instead they need an Electronic Travel Authorisation before travelling, which replaced the earlier electronic visa waiver. The ETA costs £20, is applied for online or through the UKVI app, and is valid for multiple visits over two years or until the passport expires. Each visit can last up to six months and can cover tourism, business meetings, private medical treatment and short courses, but not work. Family members who hold a different nationality need whatever that nationality requires.

No transit visa is needed for changing planes in the UK.

Studying in the UK

The Student visa process is the same as for other nationalities. One rule matters more for Gulf applicants than for most: since January 2024 only postgraduate research students and government-sponsored students can bring dependants. Government-sponsored Students can bring dependants if their sponsorship is from a government and they are studying a full-time course lasting at least six months. Check with your scholarship body and the university before assuming either way. Separately, if a government or international scholarship agency has covered both your course fees and living costs, you may also need its written consent for certain later applications made within 12 months.

GCC nationals are not exempt from the Academic Technology Approval Scheme: a sensitive science, engineering or technology course needs an ATAS certificate before the visa application.

Working and doing business in the UK

Skilled Worker is the main work route, with the same salary and skill thresholds as for everyone else. Innovator Founder and Global Talent are used by Gulf founders and specialists; neither requires an employer sponsor. Employees of Gulf companies opening UK operations can use the Global Business Mobility routes, including the UK Expansion Worker route for a first UK branch, though those routes do not lead to settlement.

None of the GCC states is a Youth Mobility Scheme country, and GCC citizens are not Commonwealth citizens, so the Ancestry visa is not available on GCC nationality alone. Buying property in the UK does not itself give any right to live there.

What GCC citizens do not need

Visitor visa. The ETA replaces it for visits of up to six months.

TB test. No GCC state is on the tuberculosis test list. The requirement is based on residence, so it can still apply to someone who has recently lived for six months or more in a listed country.

What GCC citizens do need

English. No GCC state is on the list of majority-English-speaking countries, so routes that require English must be evidenced: an approved Secure English Language Test, or a degree taught in English confirmed by Ecctis, which many Gulf graduates of English-medium universities can use. Skilled Worker applications made from 8 January 2026 need B2. See the English requirements guide.

Applying from the Gulf. Applications are submitted online and completed at a visa application centre in the region, where biometrics are taken. Faster-decision services — priority or super priority — are offered for some routes and locations at an extra charge; the application process shows you what is available. If the application succeeds, the permission is issued as an eVisa held in a UKVI account. Passport vignettes have not been issued since 1 July 2026; where a travel document is needed, some applicants get a form for accompanying an eVisa (FAV) instead.

Routes to settlement

Skilled Worker, Innovator Founder, Global Talent and the partner route lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain under current rules. Student and Graduate time does not count towards those periods, although lawful residence on them counts towards the ten-year Long Residence route.

Dual-nationality rules differ across the six GCC states and are often restrictive. Check the law of your own nationality before applying for British citizenship. ILR itself does not change your nationality. See the ILR vs citizenship comparison.

Common questions

Do Saudi or Emirati citizens need a UK visa? Not to visit. An ETA is required before travelling. For work, study or family, a visa on the relevant route is needed.

Can I bring my family on a government scholarship? Government-sponsored students are exempt from the 2024 dependant restriction, provided the sponsorship meets the definition. Confirm with your scholarship body.

I live in the UAE but hold another passport. Which page applies? The page for your nationality. Residence in the Gulf does not change your immigration treatment.

Can I come to the UK for medical treatment? Yes, as a visitor on the ETA for treatment of up to six months. Treatment lasting longer than six months needs a Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons.