European Union Announces Schengen Visa For Saudi Arabia, Oman And Bahrain For Five Years

Visa illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Bundesrepublic Deutschland/Bundesministerium des Innern.)

JAKARTA - The European Union announced the implementation of a valid Schegen visa scheme for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain in the next five years, making it easier to visit these block countries.

The announcement was made by EU Head of Foreign Policy Josep Borrell, at the opening session of the first high-level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation between the bloc and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Luxembourg this week.

"I welcome the decision taken by the European Commission this morning to harmonize the rules for granting dual entry visas for GCC citizens," he said, as reported by The National News April 23.

Visa regulations have been standardized for all GCC countries whose citizens require permission to visit the Schegen Region.

The change is a significant step forward in strengthening relations between the EU and Gulf countries.

Previously, citizens of the United Arab Emirates did not need visas to travel to the Schegen Region and were allowed to stay for three months at once. However, Qatari citizens are required to apply for visas.

In 2022, the EU announced plans to offer visa-free travel to Kuwaiti and Qatar citizens.

However, a new 'cascade' visa system introduced to Kuwait last September, allows eligible applicants, including first tourists, to get permission for five years.

The Schengen region, which covers 29 European countries, was expanded in February to include Bulgaria and Romania, removing all air and maritime border controls.

Prior to the European Union, UAE residents, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia had been exempted from the UK pre-entrance visa requirement.

In November, Gulf countries announced plans to implement an integrated tourist visa similar to Schegen's permit in an effort to facilitate travel for residents and tourists.