Five GCC Nations Close to Starting Schengen Visa Exemption Process, Official Says

Citizens of five Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states could move closer to visa-free travel to Europe, with an announcement expected at the upcoming second EU-GCC Summit in Riyadh on October 24, according to Gulf Business. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi stated that visa-free travel arrangements for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait are "very close".

Speaking on the Arab Views podcast hosted by Faisal J. Abbas, Al Budaiwi said the Riyadh summit is anticipated to deliver progress across several matters, including easing travel restrictions for Gulf citizens. He noted that the GCC is close to reaching the beginning of the process to waive Schengen visa requirements for the five remaining countries and expected positive developments at the summit.

The report highlighted that the anticipated announcement concerns the commencement of the waiver process rather than an immediate introduction of visa-free travel. Any eventual exemption will depend on subsequent steps agreed upon by both sides. Currently, the United Arab Emirates is the only GCC country whose citizens enjoy short-stay visa-free access to the Schengen Area.

While progress on travel arrangements appears possible, a breakthrough on a free trade agreement (FTA) between the GCC and the European Union remains less certain. Al Budaiwi noted that the two sides have negotiated for years without reaching a final agreement due to differences over terms proposed by the European side.