Great news, I read on the paper that Kuwait and other GCC countries are now negotiating with the U.K government for Visa-free entry to the U.K or by obtaining express visa upon the arrival to the airport, bingo. I mean this can really make travelling to the U.K a lot easier and more comfortable, having to re-new your visa every a few months can be a headache sometimes especially when you are on short notice and need to get the visa quickly, also visa has become more costly in recent years.
However, I’m not yet sure when they will start the new system but probably during first quarter of 2013?
Read more [link]
For England, we sued to get a 6-month entry visa at the airport, till about 15 years ago. After that, you had to apply here at the British Embassy.
I don’t believe that they will give us back the “airport entry” visas, but they might make the visas cheaper and easier to issue.
We’ll have to wait and see, these things take a long time to agree on.
Visa-free for all or for diplomat and special passport holders only ?
As I understood from the paper that this will apply for all GCC visitors to the U.K including students, but many are not telling me that this is for diplomats and special passport holders only, I’ve to double check and let you know bro.
Special and diplomatic passport holders don’t need a visa, that was confirmed in the papers a few days ago.
Yes you are right, I re-read the news on the paper and it says they are negotitating for visa-free for GCC nationals..
I dubt that UK give up the visa fee. Firstq 2013 is very optimistic.
I dont think this will happen. I was previously working in the UK Embassy In Kuwait and the rules were pretty strict, they may make it a easier to apply but otherwise i dont think it will be on arrival. But the negotiation is totally worth it becuz Westerners get visa on arrival in kuwait so why not kuwaitis get visas on arrival
Kuwait can take a cue and facilitate visa on arrival for non GCC nationals as well who are legal aliens resident in the GCC to spruce up commerce and retail.
If it was Visa free visit only for Kuwait, Dubai, Qatar I would had agreed. But for whole GCC, I do not think it might be considered something profitable for them.
But Qatar and Dubai must get Arrival on Visa since they attract many business investor and some or other way it might have good link to UK.
Visa free for diplomatic and special passports only… If you heard anything else it’s just a rumour.
I’m trying to confirm that because the article on the paper isn’t clear either hmmm
The visa free for GCC nationals will only apply to Diplomatic and special passport holders. GCC is still seen as an unstable territory being surrounded by other arab countries where there is current turmoil. It is all due to safety and having diplomatic relations and common practices and laws. Being a Dual passport holder of The Netherlands and Japan, I have access to basically every single country in the world, apart from KSA which i think all people require visas. For 2 countries to have WVP – Waiver Visa Program, requires both consenting countries to have similar laws, similar constitutional rights and civil and human rights. The gulf is far from the point of achieving this as there are still many fimiliarities and formalities and laws that the gulf has which the west does not approve of. IE – Not being liberal, democratic (apart from Kuwait whos voting and parliment is unstable ) and also the fact that there is alot of basic human rights that the GCC ignores – Modern Day Slavary,Acceptance of same sex couples, freedom of speech – the list goes on. If you look at all the countries who have visa free access to US,UK, EUROPE,JAPAN,AUSTRALIA,SOUTH AFRICA etc, you will see that all the countries are 1st world countries, meaning they have similar policies, open policies, freedom of speech, and freedom to be who you want to be. As long as the GCC will ignore United Nations Code of Conduct, which all countries around the world have signed, with exception to North Korea, you will see that there will be no such thing as VISA on ARRIVAL for GCC Citizens. The gulf still has a long way to go. The are countries that have been developed and have open policies far longer than the gulf and even till now, they are still being considered for VISA on Arrival or exemption for western countries.
Having studied a degree in International Law with a major politics I know what i speak is the current situation. If you feel you doubt me, feel free to comment.
Thank You
Writing this big explanation, you are certainly a law student to make readers get your every point as a valid one.
Even before going through your whole long reply, I have to say that I get the feeling that you’re being completely unfair and prejudicial against GCC countries. Modern day slavery? Really?
Other than this comment, excuse me of I don’t feel like reading the rest of your BS envy louded comment.
@BUZFAIRY, Lets not devour away from the really truth. Modern day slavery is rife in the GCC. And I have absolutely non prejudice or hatred against the GCC, I holiday often in UAE, OMAN and have visited Kuwait and Qatar quite often. In fact, I have resided in Kuwait for 6 months this year, doing extensive research into markets, politics and general human observation. When I mention to some of my friends in the GCC, who are gulf nationals, they are completely oblivious to the fact that there is modern day slavary. Most of them dont even know what it means or is. I shall give u an example and if you feel you donot agree with me,or beg to differ, i shall give u free reigns. Have you ever witnessed or seen the way labourers, housekeepers, servants or expats from asian and north african countries are treated? Most of these people, get hired to do the dirty work in the gulf, they are treated with disrespect, disregard, made fun of,looked down on and alot of the time – Abused. I cannot tell you how many times i opened up a Khaleej times paper or gulf news or kuwait times and seen the horrific stories . Teenagers molest and rape Maid at home, Maid being tortured by family.The list just goes on. Are you aware that these people who are brought into your country, serve you at your beck and call, get shouted at, paid no more than $80 dollars a month, have your passport and identity confiscated,live in appauling conditions(horrific labour camps that have no AC, are dirty, and full of disease), work 7 days a week, 18 hours a day, or until the boss of the house decides he or she wants to sleep. Are you aware of any of that?? Well, maybe you are not aware, like most of my friends, they take people who are LESSER than themselves forgranted. In my 6 months in Kuwait, I have witnessed some horrific things, not just in Kuwait but in other GCC countries aswell.And the funny thing is, GCC nationals are oblivious to the fact that the west knows exactly what goes on, we see and hear everything. We see it in our newspapers, on TV, radio and we experience it for ourselves when we visit, provided we have local friends and can witness it. Dont get me wrong, I am not pointing the finger at anyone specific, and definitly not putting it down to one country. But this is the reality of the GCC. And everyone knows it. Instead of opening a news paper, or watching the news,or just driving around and taking note of the problems in your country, you would rather turn a blind eye, go shopping or eat at restaurants and drive around the streets chasing after girls and boys. Iv witnessed the life with my own eyes and I am not saying my countries are perfect, but everyone certainly has a right and freedom of speech and there isnt modern day slavary.
I advise you to open the news paper tomorrow and have a read – you will be amazed at what you see.
Nice evening everybody.
As I lived here almost my whole life, I like this country. But the people mistreat Asians, this is for sure.
I can only pray that we Arabs tend more towards Quranic teachings, and encourage freedom of speech also equal treatment of people.
First thing, the citizenship.
Does Kuwait offer that to other Non-Kuwaitis? I’m aware that it doesn’t.
Seeing horrific experience in the buses, in the Marina Mall how Kuwaiti teenagers look down on others and call them names and curse them.
I can kind of relate with you on that.
But anyways, I’m interested in this. I want to go to UK visa free.
.
RICHIE RICH …HOORAY….
you said it…..
VISA FREE!? *Crosses Fingers* please make it happen! That would be THE BOMB!!!
I’m now confused, the article on the paper clearly states that GCC nationals will be entitled for a free visa, but people are saying that this will only apply to Diplomatic and special passport holders.
I work for an airline company and I heard about this a year ago, and they were gonna implement it during 2012, I heard it’s happening on Jan 2013. But talk is cheap so I can’t confirm it, that’s why I was searching for any clues on the internet. And it’s suppose to be for everyone.