The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is planning to simplify travel for residents of neighboring Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, through a more lenient visa system. Economy Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri discussed this at a conference in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing the aim to facilitate easy travel for GCC residents across member countries, boosting tourism, and envisioning a pan-GCC visa system.
This system would allow seamless entry and exit between countries, shaping the future of GCC tourism. Minister Al Marri highlighted the UAE’s well-established tourism infrastructure, ready for the proposed changes.
The Gulf Cooperation Council, consisting of six countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar), shares regional goals related to prosperity and development. Despite occasional differences, they are exploring a unified visa system similar to the Schengen model, aiming to simplify travel for tourists and promote the region.
Bahrain’s Minister of Tourism, Fatima Al Sairafi, mentioned successful joint promotions and hinted at a potential unified visa system. This move could significantly enhance tourism across GCC countries, attracting a more diverse range of visitors.
