"Schengen Visas" Are Being Considered For The UAE And Other GCC Nations

The nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council aim to institute a "Schengen style" visa that would make travel in the area effectively borderless.

 

Media outlets have reported that GCC nations (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) have been in discussions to implement a system that would enable visitors to visit all six countries with only one visa. If implemented, this system will facilitate easier travel between GCC nations by eliminating the need for tourists to get multiple visas for each destination.

Here are the specifics of the 'Schengen-style' visa for GCC nations:
The discussion during this year's Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai disclosed the concept for a single visa scheme. HE Bahrain's Minister of Tourism Fatima Al Sairafi told the Khaleej Times that talks have started at the cabinet level to create a single unified visa for GCC nations.

Since most tourists from outside Europe visit many cities during their stay, officials predict this trend will accelerate in the near future. "We really saw the value this can bring not only to each country, but to all of us", Al Sairafi commented.

“We targeted 8.3 million tourists for 2022 but achieved 9.9 million visitors because we co-promoted Bahrain along with the UAE and other GCC markets. It resulted in an increased number of tourists,” the Minister stated.

Abdullah Al Salehal, undersecretary for the Ministry of Economy in the United Arab Emirates, also participated in the debate and emphasized the importance of the tourism industry.

According to reports, the successful cross-collaboration that occurred between the Gulf during last year's FIFA World Cup, when Saudi Arabia offered 60-day visas to all Hayya Card users, added momentum to the concept of GCC nations working together.

 

Source: lifestyleasia.com