The UAE government has announced the issuing of a new tourist visa that permits UAE residents to travel to Gulf Cooperation Council countries in order to increase the attractiveness of its markets in the face of fierce competition from other countries across the world. The unified Gulf tourist visa is identical to the Schengen visa.
Because nearly 70% of tourism in the UAE comes from international markets, the new approach is intended to allow residents of a number of countries to enter the UAE without a visa. This is meant to promote tourism, which is especially crucial given that the UAE already has all of the components required to support the tourism industry.
Officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries authorised a unified tourist visa initiative for the Gulf region’s six member states to boost the economy and tourism.
What is the unified visa for the Gulf?
It is a shared visa system between the Gulf Cooperation Council’s six member states that allows travellers to visit one or more Gulf Cooperation Council countries within a single framework.
Instead of acquiring a separate visa for each country, the traveller now obtains a unified visa for six countries that permits them to access within the framework of mutual agreements among the participating nations, as cultural and economic exchange increases.
It will allow Gulf Cooperation Council members to travel freely.
The UAE Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, revealed at a recent conference named “The Future of Hospitality” that the new visa system will make it easier for people to travel to neighbouring Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia.
According to the UAE Minister of Economy, this new system will be implemented very soon. He also stated that the Gulf countries profit from Saudi Arabia’s tourism boom, and that what is beneficial for the Kingdom benefits the entire region, including the UAE.
Gulf Cooperation Council countries
It is worth noting that the Gulf Cooperation Council comprises a huge number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar.
Citizens of these countries can freely visit borders without a visa, but residents frequently need one to travel between GCC countries.
Residents from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries can enter the UAE.
1- If the application is approved, the electronic visa is emailed to the email address provided on the application.
2- Any member of the family or supporting categories of residents or companions of citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council states will be denied a visit visa if they do not accompany their sponsor.
3- A GCC resident’s entry permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance, and the stay in the country is for 30 days from the day of arrival, which can be extended once for an additional 30 days.
4- For those accompanying nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council states, the entry permit is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance, and the stay in the country is for 60 days from the date of admittance, which can be extended once for an additional 60 days.
5- If the bearer of a GCC resident/accompanying entry permit discovers that his residence has expired or been cancelled, he shall be denied entry.
6- If the bearer of a GCC resident entrance permit demonstrates that their profession has changed after the entry permit was given, they will be denied admittance.
7- When arriving at UAE ports, residency in a Gulf Cooperation Council state must be valid for more than three months.
8- The entry permit holder’s passport must be valid for at least three months before arriving at United Arab Emirates ports.
GCC Visa Fees
Foreigners residing in any of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries can obtain a visa through the country’s designated outlets. The service charge is 250 dirhams, plus value-added tax (5%).
When will the unified Gulf tourist visa become available?
The official launch date for the single tourist visa has yet to be announced, although Emirati Minister Abdullah bin Touq has stated that it is quite close.
Validity of entry permit for the Emirates
Residents of Gulf Cooperation Council nations can enter the UAE up to 30 days before their entrance permits are issued.
Residents can also stay in the UAE for 30 days from the date of admission, which can only be extended once.
Accreditation for all resident professions
The certification of all professions for residents of Gulf Cooperation Council nations has extended as a result of the Ministry of Tourism’s regular updates.
The decision to allow those wishing to enter the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and other specified countries without requiring specific professions was made as part of the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts to provide opportunities for all Gulf residents to enjoy tourist destinations, participate in tourism and entertainment events, and learn more about the Kingdom’s heritage and history.
Electronic visa application for people of 12 countries.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently stopped the practice of affixing a visa sticker to a traveler’s passport in order to receive a work, visit, or residency visa. Instead, the visa is now printed on a sheet of paper around the size of a medium-sized sheet and includes a QR code.
Many countries, including Turkey, Pakistan, Yemen, and Sudan, as well as Uganda, Lebanon, Nepal, Kenya, and Morocco, Thailand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, are likely to implement electronic visas in the near future.
Benefits of the Unified Gulf Visa
- Promoting economic growth
- Enhancing travel to the location with a unified visa.
- Simplifying travel between GCC countries.
- Attracting more long-distance tourists from Europe, the United States, and Asia.
- Increase tourism spending.
READ MORE
Senior Care Assistant Visa Sponsorship Uk
