GCC to Launch New Unified Single-Entry Visa for UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman – Travel And Tour World

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is preparing to introduce a new single-entry visa that will allow travelers to move freely across six Gulf countries. This includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. This announcement was made by GCC Secretary-General, Jassem Al Budaiwi, during a statement on Wednesday. Al Budaiwi commended the collaborative efforts among the Gulf countries, which made the implementation of this idea possible. He emphasized that the unified visa aligns with the vision of the GCC leaders to foster greater integration and cooperation among the member states. According to Al Budaiwi, the visa aims to modernize travel in the region and is expected to provide substantial economic benefits, particularly by increasing tourism.

This new visa was officially approved in November 2023 during a meeting of GCC interior ministers held in Oman. The concept of this visa mirrors that of the European Schengen visa, which enables travelers to visit multiple European countries with a single permit. Under this new initiative, tourists will have the ability to visit all six GCC countries using just one visa. However, the visa will be limited to tourism and family visits only. Applications for the visa will be submitted online via an official portal, which has yet to be announced. The visa will be valid for a duration ranging from 30 to 90 days, and visitors will have the flexibility to choose between a single-country or multi-country access option. The new system is anticipated to be both more cost-effective and user-friendly than applying for separate visas for each country.

Al Budaiwi further mentioned that the system will employ the latest technologies, ensuring that it meets global security standards. He emphasized that all parties involved are committed to adopting the most advanced technologies while also responding to the growing and rapidly evolving global security needs.

As for the requirements to apply for the visa, Gulf News reported that once the new GCC visa becomes officially available, travelers will need to ensure they have certain documents in order. The most important of these is a valid passport, which must remain valid for at least six months from the date of application. Applicants will also need to provide a recent passport-sized photograph and complete a short online application form. In addition, they may be asked to upload proof of accommodation, such as hotel bookings or an invitation letter from a host in one of the GCC countries. Travel insurance that covers medical needs will likely be required, along with proof of sufficient financial resources for the trip, such as a bank statement. A return or onward travel ticket will also be necessary to complete the visa application.

The process for applying for the unified GCC tourist visa is expected to be straightforward. Applicants will be able to complete all steps online through an official website, which authorities plan to announce shortly. The process will involve selecting whether the applicant wants a visa for a single country or for all six countries, entering travel details, uploading the necessary documents, and paying the applicable fee. Once the application is processed, the visa will be sent directly to the applicant’s email. The applicant can then either print the visa or display it on their mobile device when arriving at the airport.

Although the specific launch date for the visa has not been disclosed, GCC officials have stated that the visa will be introduced in the near future. This move is seen as a significant step toward simplifying travel within the GCC region and enhancing tourism flow across its member states.

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