The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has approved a single tourist visa forall member countries, which will not only enhance regional economies butalso create more job opportunities through visa processing.
According to the Gulf Times, GCC countries are very close to launching aSchengen-style visa to promote tourism in the region. During a GCCministerial meeting in Muscat, Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism,Salim bin Mohammed Al-Mahrouqi, announced the approval of the unified visaprocess.
It is reported that the single tourist visa will allow tourists to enterthe six-member Gulf bloc, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia,Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. This visa service will start soon, and itis expected to bring more job opportunities and economic growth to theregion.
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Omani media reported that “this visa scheme will be launched very soon.”While there is no specific timeline mentioned, Oman Observer reported thatthe new visa service will be presented during a regional ministerialmeeting in Muscat in November. Once implemented, GCC countries will embarkon a joint promotional campaign for this scheme.