GCC Unified Visa: Latest Updates and Developments

The rollout of a unified visa for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has encountered significant delays, as confirmed by Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism, Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi.

Speaking during the Shura Council’s eighth regular session, Al Mahrouqi highlighted that security concerns and differing national perspectives among member states are major obstacles to the initiative.

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Despite the formal approval of the unified visa initiative in 2023, Al Mahrouqi noted that it remains under study and is unlikely to be implemented in the near future.

He pointed out that the visa scheme, which aims to simplify travel across the Gulf by allowing tourists to move freely between member states on a single visa, is still in the research phase.

The unified visa is often compared to Europe’s Schengen system and is seen as a way to enhance the region’s attractiveness to international travelers while fostering economic cooperation among GCC nations, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

However, behind the scenes, concerns related to security, data sharing, and immigration control have reportedly hindered progress, despite widespread public support for the concept among tourism authorities. As discussions continue, the future of the unified visa remains uncertain.

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