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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are in the “home stretch” of launching a common visa for member countries, similar to the Schengen visa. Last week, during the meeting of GCC ministers in Muscat, the Minister of Tourism of Oman, Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrūq, announced that the Gulf countries unanimously approved the unified visa.
For now, there are not many details about the future visa, but it is known that it will give foreigners the opportunity to enter all 6 countries of the Persian Gulf: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.
When will the visa be launched?
Exact dates are not known yet, but Omani media, referring to the Minister of Tourism of Oman, report that it will be presented at the meeting of GCC interior ministers in November.
Can residents of the Persian Gulf countries apply for a visa?
As for citizens, they already enjoy a visa-free regime for travel between Persian Gulf countries. However, whether expatriates will be able to apply for a unified visa is not yet clear. But not long ago, Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy of the UAE, stated that the GCC is considering a unified visa system that will allow expatriates to travel freely between member states.
What will be the cost and validity period of the visa?
The price and validity period of the visa are not reported at the moment. More detailed information is expected by the end of the year.
