The new Schengen-style GCC visa launching in December 2024 will allow seamless travel across Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and UAE, boosting tourism.

The eagerly awaited Schengen-style tourist visa, set to debut in December 2024, promises seamless travel across six GCC countries, enhancing tourism and simplifying regional exploration. This development follows the completion of statutory compliance and has received unanimous approval from all GCC states, bringing it closer to reality. The announcement was made during the 40th GCC ministers’ meeting in Oman.

The new visa will facilitate travel across the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) bloc, comprising the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. While specific details such as the visa’s cost remain undisclosed, the initiative is poised to boost tourism and attract more visitors to the region.

Travel agents and tour operators in the GCC are already planning comprehensive itineraries that leverage the simplified single visa, offering tours across Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait. This proactive approach aims to maximize the benefits of the new visa for travelers and stimulate regional tourism.

TTW Founder and CEO, Mr. Anup Kumar Keshan, expressed his excitement, stating, “This new visa initiative is eagerly awaited. To celebrate, I embarked on a coastal adventure across all six GCC countries, starting from Kuwait and concluding in Saudi Arabia.”

He continued, “We foresee a substantial surge in tourism across all six Gulf nations in the coming years. The introduction of the Schengen Visa in 1995 for European Union countries brought about a remarkable increase in tourism, and we expect a similar impact with this new single visa. It will streamline the planning process for tour operators and travel agents, and even business travelers are likely to make more frequent trips, benefiting from the simplified travel procedures.”

The visa agreement simplifies travel across the Gulf region, with initial signatories including Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. Drawing parallels to the Schengen visa, introduced in 1995, which initially allowed seamless travel across seven European countries and now covers 25 nations, the GCC aims to boost tourism by attracting more visitors, especially to Dubai in the UAE, which hosted a record number of tourists last year.

The new Schengen-style visa will simplify travel across Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and UAE. Like the Schengen Zone in Europe, this visa allows travelers to explore multiple countries with ease, promoting more trips and increasing tourism. By removing the need for separate visas for each country, more people can travel freely, boosting regional tourism and making cross-border trips more convenient.

With its launch at the end of December 2024, the Schengen-style visa will enable seamless travel across the six GCC nations: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. This initiative is expected to significantly increase tourism, making it easier for travelers to explore the Gulf region’s rich cultural and historical heritage.

Brief Overview of GCC Countries

United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE, a federation of seven emirates, is famous for its modern architecture, luxury shopping, and vibrant nightlife. Highlights include Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah.

Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, the largest Middle Eastern country, is the birthplace of Islam with holy cities Mecca and Medina. It is investing in tourism with projects like NEOM and Red Sea resorts.

Bahrain
Bahrain, an island nation, offers a rich history, the Bahrain Fort, and the Formula 1 Grand Prix. It blends modern infrastructure with cultural heritage.

Qatar
Qatar features futuristic architecture and cultural hubs like the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. It will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, showcasing its global tourism appeal.

Oman
Oman boasts stunning natural landscapes and a mix of modernity and tradition in Muscat. Key attractions include Jebel Akhdar mountains and Sultan Qaboos Mosque.

Kuwait
Kuwait, known for its oil wealth, features modern architecture like the Kuwait Towers and a vibrant cultural scene. It offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity.