HB Ad Slot
HB Mobile Ad Slot
United Arab Emirates | Updates on Tourist-Boosting Initiatives
Wednesday, June 5, 2024

The Emirati government has provided additional details on the new Gulf Cooperation Council tourist visa as well as announced a new gaming visa to boost tourism.

Key Points:

  • The new tourist visa will be called the GCC Grand Tours visa and will be available by the end of 2024.
  • The visa will be similar to the Schengen visa, allowing foreign nationals to travel on one multiple-entry tourist visa through the six GCC member states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
    • Additional details are yet to be confirmed, but it is expected that the visa may allow for an extended 30-day tourism stay — longer than the currently permitted maximum — and no additional fees to apply for eligible travelers who hold a passport valid for at least six months.
  • In addition, Dubai has launched a gaming visa initiative as part of the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033.
    • The long-term cultural visa is designed to welcome artists and creators under the creative and talented accreditation certificate.
    • Individuals must submit their applications via the official website, be at least 25 years old and are required to submit a copy of their passport along with their professional CV.

Additional Information: UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also recently announced an update to its visa exemption policy that allows nationals from 87 countries to enter without a pre-entry visa. The full list of eligible countries can be found here. The government has undertaken several measures recently to expedite and attract foreign travel.

BAL Analysis: The announcement of a Schengen-style tourist visa for the GCC member states is a highly anticipated development. Foreign nationals are currently required to obtain separate tourist visas to travel to these countries, and the governments hope that a unified tourist visa will simplify travel for its citizens and boost each nation’s economies.

HB Ad Slot
HB Ad Slot
HB Mobile Ad Slot
HB Ad Slot
HB Mobile Ad Slot
HB Ad Slot
HB Mobile Ad Slot
 

NLR Logo

We collaborate with the world's leading lawyers to deliver news tailored for you. Sign Up to receive our free e-Newsbulletins

 

Sign Up for e-NewsBulletins