GCC to introduce Schengen-style visa

ISLAMABAD: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will soon introduce a Schengen-style, unified visa for tourists and businessmen from 35 foreign and Arab countries, according to a high-ranking Kuwaiti official.

Samira Al-Gharib, assistant undersecretary for tourism at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Trade, told that plans for a “unified tourism visa” are being considered by GCC Interior ministries, which will be responsible for visa-related formalities, Arab News reported Monday.

Nationals from these countries would be able to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman under a single visa once the system is finalized.

“The unified visa targets frequent visitors to the GCC,” she said. Al-Gharib denied, however, that the new visa system would be implemented by next year, saying that there are many hurdles to be overcome ahead of the new proposal.

Al-Gharib confirmed that the new visa system would garner huge revenues within the regional tourism sector, saying visas would mostly be sought for leisure and not work-related purposes.

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