Home GCC GCC unified visa unanimously approved at Muscat meet The six states approved the Schengen-style visa at the 40th meeting of the GCC Interior Ministers in Oman by Gulf Business November 9, 2023 Image credit: Getty Images The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, have approved the unified tourist visa. Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC announced the decision at the ongoing meeting of the GCC Interior Ministers in Muscat, Oman. Al Budaiwi lauded the new ‘Unified Gulf Tourist Visa’ initiative, and described it as a testament to the close cooperation between the GCC leaders. ?| “أقرَّ أصحاب المعالي والسمو مواضيع هامة أبرزها: ١- التأشيرة السياحية الخليجية الموحدة. ٢- ربط المخالفات المرورية إلكترونيًا بين دول المجلس. ٣- إعداد استراتيجية شاملة لمكافحة المخدرات.” ?|بيان الأمين العام معالي جاسم البديوي عقب الاجتماع الـ40 لأصحاب السمو والمعالي وزراء… pic.twitter.com/zo8OFXAs03 — Hala FM | هلا أف أم (@Halafmradio) November 8, 2023 Unified Gulf tourist visa The new visa will open doors to travellers, granting them access to six countries under a single, unified tourist visa, and foster economic synergy across the GCC. Earlier this year, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy had said that specific regulations and legislation for the visa will be developed, with a targeted rollout between 2024 and 2025, subject to the readiness of each GCC country’s internal systems.