Muscat: The Secretary-General of the Gulf Council reviewed on Wednesday the efforts being made by the passport departments of the Ministries of Interior of the GCC countries to launch the unified tourist visa project soon.
Jassim Mohammed al-Budaiwi, the Secretary-General, affirmed in Riyadh that the passport departments of the GCC's Ministries of Interior, through their ongoing joint technical meetings, are making efforts to launch the unified tourist visa project.
He reviewed the draft agenda of the unified Gulf visa project and the latest findings of the meetings of the technical teams concerned with this project.
He said the unified visa will facilitate movement between the GCC countries and stressed that everyone is working as one team to keep pace with technological developments and security requirements in a world characterized by rapid change.
The unified visa was officially approved in 2023 as part of efforts to boost tourism in the region. It is aimed at making travel more convenient for non-GCC nationals residing in member countries, allowing them to explore the region without applying for multiple entry permits.
According to sources, tourists will be able to visit all six GCC countries using just one visa, which will be available only for tourism and family visits.
Applications will be made online through to be launched official portal.
The visa is expected to be valid for 30 to 90 days. Visitors will have the option to select between access to a single country or multiple countries.
Benefits for Tourists
Tourists can enjoy the freedom to travel seamlessly across several GCC countries with a single visa. This eliminates the need for multiple applications and allows travelers to visit more of the Gulf region with fewer administrative difficulties.
Simplified Visa Process
The application process for the Grand Tours Visa will be completely online. Having a user-friendly online application process that allows tourists to apply for a visa to one country or all six countries in a few short minutes reduces the hassle and time typically involved in obtaining separate visas for each country.
Tourists can save money by choosing to apply for the unified visa option to travel across all six nations, rather than needing to pay for multiple different visas. This makes the GCC Visa an affordable choice for tourists looking to explore the Gulf region.
The GCC visa allows tourists the opportunity to visit all six culturally rich and diverse countries easily and with low administrative effort. For people who love to travel, having the opportunity to visit all six countries is a significant advantage of the visa.
The introduction of the visa is likely to boost tourism and lead to increased spending in local economies, job creation, and increased development in the hospitality and service sectors, all of which will have significant positive impacts on the local economies.
The multi-country travel and the likely increase in tourism encourage interactions between visitors and local communities ,which encourages greater understanding and appreciation of the region’s rich heritage and diverse cultures.
Valid Passport
Travellers will need a valid passport from an approved country with at least six months of validity from the date of entry into the GCC region. You will also need to have several blank pages in your passport for exit and entry stamps.
Some applications may require additional documentation, such as:
Confirmation of hotel bookings, a rental agreement, or a letter of invitation from a host residing in one of the GCC countries.
A detailed plan of travel within the GCC, including flight bookings or other transportation details between the countries.
Proof of valid travel insurance covering medical expenses, emergencies, and repatriation throughout your stay in the GCC countries.
Bank statements or financial documents demonstrating that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in the GCC region.
Evidence of a return flight to your home country or onward travel to another destination outside the GCC region.
Proof of accommodation
Travel itinerary
Travel insurance
Proof of financial means
Return or onward ticket
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