The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is currently considering the implementation of a new visa system that would greatly simplify travel for its residents to neighboring Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia. UAE Economy Minister, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, announced this potential visa system at a conference in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. He stated that this regime could be introduced “very soon.”
Under this new visa system, residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) would have the freedom to travel within all the countries that constitute the bloc, which includes Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar. Currently, citizens of these six nations are able to freely travel across borders without the need for visas. However, foreign residents, who make up the majority of the population in these countries and come from various parts of the world, still require visas to cross GCC borders.
The implementation of visa-free travel for residents within the GCC would not only simplify travel procedures but would also greatly enhance tourism in the region. Al Marri emphasized that this would make the region more appealing to tourists, ultimately boosting the tourism industry.
The potential introduction of this visa system highlights the UAE’s commitment to facilitating seamless travel for its residents and improving the region’s tourism sector. By simplifying the travel process and removing visa restrictions within the GCC, the UAE aims to attract more tourists, boost the local economy, and strengthen its position as a leading global travel hub.
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