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    Online Schengen visa application may soon be available for UAE residents

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    Life

    by Ruman Baig
    51 mins ago

    The European Union has approved groundbreaking changes to the Schengen Visa process, ushering in a new era of convenience for travellers.
    Soon, applicants will experience a seamless online application system, eliminating the need for consulate visits and the hassle of visa stickers on passports.
    Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, emphasized the simplified process, highlighting that the digital shift aims to benefit both travelers and national administrations.
    The future EU visa application platform promises a user-friendly interface where applicants can effortlessly input details, upload digital documents, and complete fee payments.

    Notably, the era of in-person consulate visits will fade away, with exceptions limited to first-time applicants, individuals with outdated biometric data, and those holding new travel documents.
    Furthermore, the traditional visa stickers will be replaced by a secure digital format using a 2D barcode with cryptographic signatures, a move aimed at minimizing security risks associated with counterfeit and stolen stickers.
    While the effective date awaits publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, these transformative changes signify a significant leap forward in streamlining the Schengen Visa process.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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      Major milestone: Official approval granted for common GCC tourism visa

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      Life

      by Ruman Baig
      1 hour ago

      In a groundbreaking move, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have given the green light to a revolutionary GCC tourism visa, reminiscent of the Schengen model.
      This momentous decision was announced by Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during a gathering of regional interior ministers at the GCC summit in Muscat, Oman, on November 8.
      Emphasizing the significance of this new visa, the Secretary General hailed it as a remarkable achievement for the region. He also stressed the need for the timely implementation of the GCC tourist visa within a specific timeframe.
      A recent statement by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy, indicated that the unified tourism visa could become a reality by 2025. The minister explained that the rollout would be contingent upon the development of specific regulations and legislation. If all internal systems of the participating countries are prepared, the launch is anticipated between 2024 and 2025.

      | “أقرَّ أصحاب المعالي والسمو مواضيع هامة أبرزها:١- التأشيرة السياحية الخليجية الموحدة.٢- ربط المخالفات المرورية إلكترونيًا بين دول المجلس.٣- إعداد استراتيجية شاملة لمكافحة المخدرات.”
      |بيان الأمين العام معالي جاسم البديوي عقب الاجتماع الـ40 لأصحاب السمو والمعالي وزراء… pic.twitter.com/zo8OFXAs03
      — Hala FM | هلا أف أم (@Halafmradio) November 8, 2023

      The introduction of a GCC common tourism visa is set to revolutionize travel in the region. Once operational, visitors can utilize a single tourism visa to explore all six GCC states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
      This visionary initiative aligns with the GCC 2030 tourism strategy, aiming to boost the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP by fostering increased inter-GCC travel and raising hotel occupancy rates. The ultimate goal is to position the GCC as a premier global destination for both regional and international tourists, as articulated by the UAE Minister.
      The UAE’s Minister of Economy highlighted that this tourism visa is not only a simplification of travel logistics but also a catalyst for an upsurge in tourism across the region.
      This strategic move is poised to make regional travel more accessible and attractive within the next two years.
      For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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      New Schengen-style visa for GCC countries will ease travel across the region

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      Life

      by Ruman Baig
      31 mins ago

      The Schengen-style approach will allow travellers to roam across all GCC countries in a hassle-free manner.
      Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. After this change is implemented, tourists from across the globe can plan a trip to all these countries without worrying about multiple visas.

      The important announcement came under light at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM). Fatima Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Bahrain said,”We see that happening very soon because we see people flying from abroad to Europe usually spending their time in several countries rather than in one country. We really saw the value this can bring not to each country but all of us.”
      Pointing to last year’s FIFA World Cup as a successful “test pilot” in terms of GCC collaboration, she further added, “We have huge opportunity, the effort is in how to unify all the countries in the GCC. We had 9.9 million visitors in 2022. How? There was one key initiative that year, we started to co-promote Bahrain as a unified destination with the GCC.

      With tourism becoming a major money-making arm across GCC, this initiative will further accelerate the revenue that travellers bring in.
      While there is yet to be an announcement about the offical implementation and the timeline, but so far, this unified effort feels like a step in the right direction.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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