Sunday, May 19, 2024 Now, with the newly approved unified Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) tourist visa , visitors like Mariam can look forward to a significant change. For thousands of residents and visitors, the introduction of the new Schengen-style tourist visa is a welcome relief. The GCC states have unanimously approved the proposed visa, bringing it closer to reality.
This announcement was made during the 40th meeting of GCC ministers in Oman. The visa will enable travelers to explore the six-member Gulf bloc: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. This initiative is expected to significantly boost tourism and increase the number of visitors to the region.
However, details such as the cost of the visa have yet to be disclosed. For travel enthusiasts Shafi and Siyad, this development is highly anticipated. Last month, the friends embarked on a coastal journey through all six GCC countries — starting from Kuwait and ending in Kasab — in celebration of the visa’s introduction.
The duo, who have extensively traveled across the region, currently need multiple visit visas to cover the entire bloc..