iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
Heading out to party on the weekend? Here are some things you should keep in mind to be safe
KT APPDOWNLOAD
GCC unified visa: Why is it taking time for tourist permit to roll out?
The single tourist visa was recently approved by the ministers of the regional countries
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) single tourist visa is taking time to roll out as governments are working on integrating their systems and security aspects ahead of the launch, a senior official said on Thursday.
“GCC tourist visa is already announced. There are multiple integrations of different states with their own requirements, like security requirements for each country, making sure that everything is aligned for these developments. These implementations are taking time,” said Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM).
Kazim was speaking on the second day of the Skift Conference held at Atlantis, The Royal, on Thursday.
The single GCC tourist visa was recently approved by the ministers of the regional countries which is in line with the Schengen-style visa, allowing visitors to explore all the six Gulf Arab countries.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Minister of Economy, recently said that specific regulations and legislation for the visa will be developed, with a targeted rollout between 2024 and 2025, subject to the readiness of each GCC country's internal systems.
The Gulf states are also working on the visa fees framework.
It is believed that UAE, especially Dubai, and Saudi Arabia would be bigger beneficiaries of this this new visa as Dubai is a global tourist destination while Saudi Arabia attracts a large number of religious tourists to Makkah and Madinah. Hence, industry executives predict that there will be a strong flow of tourists between these two countries.
ALSO READ:
More news from Life and Living
Local airlines have set their own guidelines and rules to ensure safety of expecting mothers during this crucial time
Before donation, it is crucial to know the criteria to ensure a smooth sailing process
Motorists must prioritise proper maintenance of their cars and conduct routine checks to prevent inconvenience
Health authority in the UAE has removed the two-year work experience for some nurses that was previously required to attain a licence
Umrah packages usually start at Dh3,000, but during the first 20 days of Ramadan, costs surge by nearly 25 per cent
After getting registered, it is the hiring medical facility's responsibility to activate the healthcare professional's license
The process is simplified by a great extent if you have registered for the UAE Pass application