The UK has granted nationals from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain nationals electronic visa waiver status, according to a statement from the Home Office.

The status will be effective on June 1, and under this new change, all Saudi Arabian and Bahraini nationals will be able to apply for an electronic visa waiver to travel to the UK for up to six months.

Citizens of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain can now visit the UK without a visa if they fill out an online waiver for each visit.

Saudis will no longer be required to arrange an appointment with a visa application centre, give in their passports ahead of time, or furnish biometric information like as pictures and fingerprints. Furthermore, the waiver will be free in compared to the former visa charge of $125.

Eligible persons can send travel notification with an electronic visa waiver up to three months before departure and as late as 48 hours before departure.

After a visit by the British prime minister to see the crown prince proved fruitful for both kingdoms, the British ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Neil Crompton, told The media in March that his government was in the process of easing entry to the UK for the local Saudi population, which would eventually lead to a free visa policy.

“There was a good exchange of views between two two leaders,” Crompton told The media. “The British government and Saudi Arabia have been good partners for a long time.”

Johnson’s visit to the Kingdom in March reflected the UK’s long-standing commitment to Saudi Arabia, as both kingdoms move toward closer bilateral cooperation across all fields and within the framework of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

During their meeting, both leaders focused on enhancing bilateral relations in the fields of green energy, renewables, investment as well as begin work on a free trade agreement between the UK and GCC countries, with a deal expected to be reached within 12 months.

The leaders also signed a memorandum of understanding on the formation of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council — established in 2018.

Scholarships to the UK have been provided by Saudi Arabia for many years, and Saudi’s Ministry of Education has increased this with more types of scholarships that will allow its population additional entry points to study abroad, including to the UK.

Previously, the British government required Saudis to meet the following criteria for a standard visitor visa: a visa application form, two passport sized photos, bank statements for the last six months, confirmed reservation ticket, place of residence address and a valid passport for at least six months from the issuing date of the visa.

The Standard Visitor visa cost $125 for up to 6 months, with the earliest point of application 3 months before the intended date of travel.

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