• “Every non-Gulf citizen wishing to visit any of the GCC countries will have the option of either one visa or a unified Gulf visa. We hope to have a clear timeline for the launch of this visa by the end of this year,” said Jassim Muhammad Al-Budaiwi, the Secretary-General of the GCC.
Jassim Muhammad Al-Budaiwi, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), anticipates that the council will finalize its vision for the unified tourist visa project by the end of this year, which will also set the timeline for its implementation, according to Al Qabas newspaper.
The expected new visa will allow holders to visit GCC countries with a unified tourist visa, aiming to attract tourists and extend their stays in the Gulf, thereby enhancing economic integration in the region.
Al-Budaiwi stated during an interview with BloombergMiddle East, “The project requires the integration of six systems to access a unified tourist visa, and we are currently working on the technical aspects.”
He added, “Every non-Gulf citizen wishing to visit any of the GCC countries will have the option of either one visa or a unified Gulf visa. We hope to have a clear timeline for the launch of this visa by the end of this year.”
Al-Budaiwi also expressed during the interview that the Gulf Railway project is now expected to be completed by 2030, having originally been scheduled for completion in 2026. He noted that the project was delayed due to various circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic and issues with the infrastructure of the railway line.
