Six Gulf nations have collaborated to launch a unified “Grand Visa,” similar to Schengen, allowing visitors to traverse between the countries without requiring a new visa. This is a historic development.
According to Travel and Tour, the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC approved the introduction of a single tourist visa which will be accessible by the end of 2024.
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The declaration was made in Oman at the 40th GCC ministerial conference.
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain are all open to visitors with this visa.
This visa is meant to foster increased cooperation between like-minded nations and to market and expand the region’s tourism industry.
It will also present an opportunity for these oil-dependent nations to boost their non-oil sector revenue.
It is reported that travellers will be able to obtain a minimum 30-day visa with the Grand Visa.
During the panel discussion, Abdullah Al Saleh, the undersecretary for the Ministry of Economy, stated that “all GCC countries have unified policies and one common market.” The GCC may reap benefits from the supply and demand sides of the tourism industry by establishing overall rules, laws, and procedures that promote expansion.
“Now, with the increased flow of people among the GCC, it is becoming smoother with time.”