GCC Grand Tours Visa Scheme Implementation deadline announced

Though an official date for the introduction of the unified GCC visa is not available yet, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa of the Sharjah Trade and Tourism Authority (SCTDA), who spoke at a conference, said that “the system should be introduced by the end of 2024.”

“The entire system should be ready by the end of this year. Many people and teams, led by the UAE Ministry of Economy and other ministries in other countries, are working tirelessly to realize this in the best possible way, with an emphasis on digital transformation,” Al Midfa said.

“E-services are also essential in this effort because we want to make it easier by avoiding unnecessary complications. At the same time, we strive to maintain all safety measures. We have many common security measures (with Saudi Arabia) that will make it easier to obtain a UAE or GCC visa for all GCC countries,” he added. Al Midfa said the region has huge tourism potential and each country’s tourism boards are working hard to turn it into “materialistic economic value.”

“I believe this will be a positive initiative that will make a significant contribution to our regional GDP over the next eight to 10 years,” AlMidfa said.

A senior Sharjah government leader said the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) sector will also contribute immensely to the growth in visitor numbers.