Schengen vs GCC unified tourist visa: New visa plan to revolutionise Gulf travel

This historic development seeks to revolutionise the way people move within the Gulf region, both for residents and tourists, by seamlessly connecting all GCC member states.

Expected to become operational between 2024 and 2025, this unified visa marks the dawn of a new era characterised by convenience and accessibility for tourists and residents traversing the Gulf region.

Drawing parallels with the Schengen visa, a regional visa programme in Europe, the GCC unified tourist visa offers a distinct approach to borderless travel. Covering the GCC member countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, this unified visa harmonises entry requirements and eliminates the complexities associated with multiple visa applications for travellers.

While both the GCC unified tourist visa and the Schengen visa share the aim of fostering regional integration and facilitating travel, there are several key differences.

GCC unified tourist visa vs Schengen visa

•  Geographic coverage
  
  • The GCC unified tourist visa covers the six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
  • The Schengen visa covers 26 European countries, including most EU member states as well as non-EU countries like Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland.

• Visa validity and duration
  
  • The GCC unified tourist visa’s specific details regarding validity and duration are still being developed, as it is expected to come into effect between 2024-2025.
  • The Schengen visa allows for short-term stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. There are also longer-term visas available for specific purposes, such as work or study, which allow for extended stays.

• Border control
  
  • With the GCC unified tourist visa, residents and tourists will be able to move freely between the member countries without the need for passport control at each border.
  • In the Schengen area, there are no internal border controls between the member countries. Once a person has entered the Schengen area through the first country, they can move freely within the entire area without undergoing additional checks.

• Purpose of travel
  
  • The GCC unified tourist visa aims to facilitate ease of movement for both residents and tourists within the Gulf countries.
  • The Schengen visa is primarily designed for tourists and short-term visitors, although it also includes provisions for longer-term stays for work, study, or other specific purposes.

GCC 2030 Tourism Strategy

The implementation of the GCC unified tourist visa corresponds to the GCC 2030 tourism strategy, which seeks to amplify the tourism sector’s impact on the GDP. The strategy anticipates that heightened travel within the GCC and improved hotel occupancy rates will serve as pivotal catalysts for its success.

Currently, the tourism sector in the UAE contributes around 14 percent to the country’s GDP, this is expected to increase to 18 percent in line with tourism goals. The GCC’s tourism strategy holds ambitious targets which include a yearly increase of 7 percent in inbound trips to GCC countries.

In 2022, the GCC countries experienced substantial growth in tourism, collectively receiving 39.8 million visitors, reflecting a 136.6 percent increase compared to 2021. The objective for 2030 is to host over 128 million visitors.

Both the GCC unified tourist visa and the Schengen visa represent significant milestones in promoting regional integration and facilitating travel within their respective areas. While the GCC unified tourist visa focuses on streamlining travel across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries, the Schengen visa offers access to a diverse array of European nations.