Unified GCC tourist visa: System will be in place by end of 2024, UAE official says

Unified GCC tourist visa: System will be in place by end of 2024, UAE official says

Published: Mon 6 May 2024, 2:44 PM Last updated: Mon 6 May 2024, 3:26 PM

The system to launch the unified GCC tourist visa will be put in place by the end of the year by the regional countries, said Khalid Jasim Al Midfa of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Authority (SCTDA) at the Arabian Travel Market on Monday.

“By the end of this year, the whole system will be in place. (We) are working day and night and e-service is a vital part of it. We don’t want to complicate things for people and also maintain the same security level. It will be a very good initiative and we will see a positive outcome for regional economies,” Al Midfa said during the panel discussion by the regional tourism chief.

Last week, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Minister of Economy, said that efforts are underway in collaboration with other GCC partners to launch the unified GCC tourist visa following the approval by all the regional countries last year.

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“Once it comes into effect, it will contribute to highlighting the diverse tourism destinations in GCC countries, attracting and retaining tourists for longer periods,