DUBAI : The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are working on implementing a common visa system that could boost regional tourism.

Speaking at the ‘Future Hospitality Summit’ in Abu Dhabi, Abdulla bin Touq, UAE’s Minister of Economy said his country is planning to introduce the system “very soon.”

“Hopefully, we are going to see something akin to a pan-GCC visa, which will facilitate smoother movement of people within the GCC. A resident of Saudi Arabia, for instance, can enter the UAE and vice versa. I believe that’s the direction we envision for the future of GCC tourism,” he said.

Currently, “visa-free travel” to Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar is available to citizens of GCC countries, however, expatriates living in these countries are required to seek individual visas for visiting each member state, although certain nationalities may have the privilege of visa-free entry or obtaining visas upon arrival.

Early in May this year, Bahrain’s, Fatima Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism confirmed that the GCC countries were exploring the option to launch a ‘Schengen-style” visa for tourists which will make it easier for visitors to enter into the countries.

For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.