Top things to expect from Schengen-style GCC Unified Tourist Visa

In Europe, the Schengen visa lets people explore much of the continent freely. Inspired by the massive system, the GCC Unified Tourist Visa is expected to give freedom of movement to residents in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman.

Since visa free travel is possible for citizens of GCC countries, it is thought that the incoming system will help the millions of non-nationals living in the region. Plans for the visa were officially approved last year after a unanimous vote at a meeting in Oman.

The Schengen-style GCC Unified Tourist Visa is believed to be rolled out as early as this year or in 2025. Current hold-ups appear to be related to the readiness of each government’s internal systems. The visa is expected to greatly streamline GCC tourism.

Current state of intra-regional GCC travel from UAE

UAE citizens do not need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia and can stay in the Kingdom for up to 90 days. But people just living in the UAE need a visa to travel. The story remains quite similar in Bahrain. Non-Emiratis need an eVisa or Bahrain on-arrival visa.

Oman is open to UAE natives and doesn’t require a visa to let them enter. But residents in the GCC need to be on a list of approved professions or be accompanied by someone who is in order to get an unsponsored visa.

GCC citizens don’t need a visa to enter Kuwait. They just need to present a valid GCC ID card. But non-nationals need and e-Visa or visa-on-arrival. Qatar grants visa-free entry to citizens of more than 100 countries, including Emiratis.

UAE best prepared of 6 GCC nations, arguably

People travelling to the UAE from other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can stay for a period of no longer than 30 days – extendable once with an eVisa. The Gulf state is arguably the best prepared of the six nations to welcome large number of tourists.

But in order to make travelling across the UAE an easier experience, the country is making some changes. For visitors, the Emirates Tourism Council is working on a tourist route which will interconnect the seven emirates. The Etihad Rail passenger train will help too.