All About the Approved Schengen-Style Unified GCC Visa Scheme

A game-changing Schengen-style visa that would promote tourism in the region is now one step closer to being introduced by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is attempting to implement a visa allowing travelers to move between the Gulf bloc's countries, much like a Schengen visa that grants access to many European nations.

Although the six Gulf states are connected by air and road, travelers must obtain visas for each country separately.
 

Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, the Minister of Heritage and Tourism of Oman, stated last week during a meeting of GCC ministers in Muscat that the unified visa had received approval from everyone.

The one visa is a traveler's pass to the six Gulf Cooperation Council nations of Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. The unified visa will be introduced "soon," according to several ministers and high-ranking officials in the Gulf, including those in the UAE, who have made their announcements recently.

The long-awaited visa will boost regional economies in addition to opening up greater opportunities for employment.

The cost and duration of the visa have not yet been made public. By the year's end, more information is expected to be published. It is also unclear at this time whether expats living in the six mentioned countries can or will need to apply for the unified visa once it is in effect.