Schengen visa waiver for Gulf citizens near, GCC c...

Summary

• Schengen visa rules for five Gulf states could soon ease, the GCC chief said, with an announcement expected at the EU-GCC summit in Riyadh.
• Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said visa-free travel to Europe for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait is “very close.” He made the remarks on the Arab Views podcast, recorded in Manama, ahead of the summit on Oct 24.
• Who needs a Schengen visa nowAt present, the United Arab Emirates is the only Gulf state whose citizens can visit the Schengen Area for short stays without a visa.

AI Generated Summary

Schengen visa rules for five Gulf states could soon ease, the GCC chief said, with an announcement expected at the EU-GCC summit in Riyadh.

Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said visa-free travel to Europe for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait is “very close.” He made the remarks on the Arab Views podcast, recorded in Manama, ahead of the summit on Oct 24.

He said the bloc was “very close to reaching the beginning of the process” to waive the requirement. The summit, he added, would bring positive news on the issue.

Who needs a Schengen visa now

At present, the United Arab Emirates is the only Gulf state whose citizens can visit the Schengen Area for short stays without a visa. Nationals of the other five members still need a valid Schengen visa to enter.