If you are someone who has travelled to Europe, then you already know about the requirements of a Schengen Visa. Moreover, you also would be aware of its benefits, which allow people to cover several countries in the Schengen area on a single visit. And now, there are talks for a possible introduction of a Schengen-style visa for GCC countries. Intrigued? Well, here’s all you need to know about this possible visa introduction.
Schengen-Style Visa For GCC Countries?
As mentioned above, Gulf Cooperation Council countries might be launching a Schengen-style visa for tourists. With this move, it is expected that there will be a boost in revenues and footfall for all countries in the region. According to a news report by Khaleej Times, Fatima Al Sairafi, who is the Minister of Tourism in Bahrain stated that there are discussions happening on this topic among GCC nations, at the Arabian Travel Market. Although no clear timeline has been given, it is expected to happen soon. Moreover, she pointed out that as a result of copromoting the country along with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain has also benefited.
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What Is A Schengen Visa?
It is worth mentioning that GCC countries also believe that the tourism sector is important for the growth of the economies, and this may provide a better experience for visitors. With the introduction of this program, it will help people to maximise their visits and this way they can cover more than one country in the region. At this point, it’s worth mentioning that Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa, which allows people to travel to any of the member countries in the Schengen area. There are 27 countries in Europe that have signed the Schengen agreement, and these include countries, like Austria, Hungary, Italy, France, Spain, and Switzerland.
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So, with this possible introduction, visiting all the countries in the Gulf region might become easier.
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