New visa will be similar to the Schengen visa in Europe, that will allow seamless travel between six Arab countries.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, are planning to introduce a unified tourist visa.
This visa, similar to the Schengen visa in Europe, will allow seamless travel between these six countries. The initiative is expected to roll out between 2024 and 2025
The concept of a unified GCC tourist visa has been in the works since October last year, with unanimous approval from the GCC states. The goal is to foster economic growth in the region by streamlining tourist travel.
Speaking on unified visa ، UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri said
“This initiative is an integral part of the GCC 2030 tourism strategy, designed to elevate the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP through increased inter-GCC travel and elevated hotel occupancy rates, transforming the GCC into a pre-eminent global destination for both regional and international tourists,”
The unified visa aims to boost tourism and economic integration within the GCC. It will facilitate easier movement for tourists and residents, potentially enhancing the appeal of the region as a tourist destination.
This move underscores the GCC’s efforts to improve coordination and cooperation among member states, leveraging tourism to stimulate economic growth .