GCC Unified Visa to Be Launched Soon: Jassim Al-Budaiwi

The Unified GCC Visa will be introduced in the near future, according to the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassim Al-Budaiwi. 

Al-Budaiwi, in a recent interview, shared that the Unified Visa for the GCC countries will be rolled out soon and revealed plans about a railway project spanning over 2100km. 

The railway project is designed to improve connectivity between the GCC countries and is expected to have a significant economic impact across various sectors in the region. 

Along with the impending railway project, the multi-country Unified GCC Tourist Visa will also enhance connectivity by facilitating borderless travel in the GCC region. The pilot phase of the GCC Grand Tours Visa is set to be introduced by the fourth quarter of the year, according to the latest GCC visa news. 

Tourists will be able to apply online for a Unified GCC Visa and choose between a one-country or multiple-country option. The six countries in the GCC are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

Al-Budaiwi added that the GCC Unified Visa will improve people-to-people mobility, enhance tourism, and boost trade and investment. The Unified Tourist Visa will also simplify travel in the region for GCC residents. Currently, both residents and tourists have to apply for separate visas to visit each GCC country. 

Speaking about the technological, economic, and security developments of the region, Al-Budaiwi said, “Our ambition knows no bounds. The GCC countries are implementing numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing economic diversification, supporting sustainable development paths, and stimulating innovation.”