Gulf States Near Schengen Visa Waiver Process

Oman, along with four other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, is nearing the start of a process that could lead to visa-free access to the Schengen area for its citizens. The announcement is expected to be made during the GCC-EU summit scheduled for later this month.

What Changes Are Expected?

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar are all in discussions to remove Schengen visa requirements for their citizens. The Secretary-General of the GCC, Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, indicated that significant progress is anticipated, although immediate visa-free travel is not guaranteed. The process to achieve this exemption is still in its early stages.

Who Is Affected?

The proposed changes would benefit citizens of the five Gulf states, allowing them to travel to the Schengen area without the need for a visa for short visits. Currently, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the only GCC country whose citizens enjoy this privilege, having established a visa-waiver agreement with the EU in 2015.

Current Visa Options

As of now, citizens from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman can apply for five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas, while Kuwait and Qatar have also received favorable visa arrangements since 2023. However, these still require applicants to meet standard Schengen visa requirements.

Next Steps

The European Commission has previously proposed moving Kuwait and Qatar to a list of countries exempt from short-stay visas, and discussions to include Oman are also ongoing. The outcome of the upcoming summit may provide further clarity on the timeline for these changes.

Travelers from Oman and the other Gulf states should stay informed about developments regarding the Schengen visa waiver process, as it could significantly ease travel to Europe in the future.