The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will quickly launch a unified tourism visa that enables vacationers to go to all six member states with a single software. The announcement was made on Wednesday by GCC Secretary Common Jassem Al Budaiwi, who praised the joint efforts of Gulf nations to enhance regional mobility and develop the tourism sector.Talking throughout an official announcement, Jassem Al Budaiwi acknowledged:“The unified visa displays the imaginative and prescient of our leaders to strengthen integration and cooperation.” He highlighted that the initiative aligns with the long-term strategic objectives of the Gulf’s management to modernise regional journey infrastructure and broaden non-oil sectors via elevated tourism. The visa, formally titled the GCC Grand Excursions Visa, is modeled after Europe’s Schengen visa and goals to allow seamless journey throughout:
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
The unified visa will permit vacationers to journey freely throughout these six nations with out the necessity for separate visa purposes, making the area considerably extra accessible to worldwide guests.Al Budaiwi highlighted that the brand new visa system is being developed with a powerful deal with know-how and safety, stressing that member states are “eager on maintaining with the most recent applied sciences, in addition to rising and speedy world safety calls for.”The visa was formally authorized in November 2023 in the course of the fortieth GCC Inside Ministers’ Assembly, which was held in Oman. The approval adopted months of intergovernmental coordination and session amongst tourism, immigration, and safety departments of all six states. In accordance with Al Budaiwi, the transfer is not only a tourism initiative however a part of a broader regional transformation aimed toward decreasing reliance on oil revenues and positioning the GCC as a worldwide tourism and funding hub.
Options of the GCC Grand Excursions Visa
Whereas last implementation particulars are nonetheless being finalized, obtainable info outlines the next anticipated options of the GCC Grand Excursions Visa:
Key Options
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- Single visa for six nations
- On-line-only software course of
- Legitimate for tourism and household visits
- Doubtless validity: 30 to 90 days
- Choices to pick out single-country or unified entry
- Decrease cumulative value in comparison with making use of for six separate visas
This construction is designed to considerably scale back journey limitations whereas enhancing customer expertise throughout the area.
Utility Course of and Required Paperwork
Although the system shouldn’t be but reside, officers have shared a tentative record of paperwork and steps anticipated to be a part of the applying course of.
Doubtless Required Paperwork
- Legitimate passport (minimal 6-month validity)
- Accomplished on-line software type
- Current passport-size photograph
- Proof of lodging (resort reserving or invitation letter)
- Journey insurance coverage (together with medical protection)
- Proof of adequate funds (equivalent to financial institution statements)
- Return or onward journey ticket
Anticipated Utility Course of
- Go to the official GCC visa web site (to be introduced)
- Choose visa kind: one-country or unified six-country visa
- Fill in journey particulars and add supporting paperwork
- Pay the visa charge on-line securely on-line
- Obtain e-visa through e mail
- Print or retailer the e-visa digitally for journey
The unified visa is predicted to spice up regional tourism, entice worldwide guests, and help sectors like aviation, hospitality, and journey companies. By simplifying entry, it encourages longer stays and multi-country journeys throughout the Gulf. The transfer additionally aligns with Gulf nations’ broader push to change into main world tourism vacation spot
