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Set to launch in December 2024, the eagerly awaited Schengen-style tourist visa will enable hassle-free travel across six Middle East countries, enhancing tourism and simplifying regional travel.

The new visa, a relief for countless residents and visitors, received unanimous approval from all Middle East states, moving it closer to implementation. This announcement was made during the 40th GCC ministers’ meeting in Oman.

TTW Editor in Chief Mr. Anup Kumar Keshan said: “A substantial surge in tourism is forecasted across all six Gulf countries in the coming years. This echoes the global travel industry’s growth following the introduction of the Schengen Visa in 1995, which greatly enhanced tourism across European Union countries. The newly implemented single visa for multiple Gulf countries promises to streamline and expedite trip planning for tour operators and travel agents alike. It is expected to attract more business travelers seeking to capitalize on the simplified travel arrangements. Scheduled to launch by late December 2024, the Schengen-style visa will facilitate seamless travel across the six GCC nations—United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. This move is poised to significantly boost tourism, enabling travelers to explore the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage with greater ease.”

This visa will facilitate travel among the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait, significantly boosting tourism and attracting more visitors to the region. Although the visa’s cost has not been disclosed, its benefits are clear.

Travel agents and tour operators in the middle east are already planning tours leveraging the single visa, offering comprehensive itineraries across Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait. This proactive planning aims to maximize the new visa’s advantages and stimulate regional tourism.

The agreement simplifies travel throughout the Gulf region, with initial signatories including Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar.

Mirroring the Schengen visa introduced in 1995, which now allows seamless travel across 25 European countries, the GCC’s initiative aims to boost tourism, particularly in Dubai, UAE, which recently saw record tourist numbers.

Launching at the end of December 2024, the Schengen-style visa will enable effortless travel across six Middle East nations: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance tourism, making it easier for travelers to experience the Gulf region’s rich cultural and historical heritage.