Will Gulf citizens soon no longer need visas for Europe?

To facilitate the free movement of people and goods, the European Union is gradually introducing VISA exemption rules for certain countries. In view of its many efforts, one might wonder whether citizens of the Gulf are among them. Here, you can find out more about VISA exemptions for these countries.

Promise of exemption for Saudi Arabia

According to statements made by envoy Patrick SIMONNET, nationals of this region will all soon benefit from a VISA exemption scheme. Indeed, according to these statements, the European Union is working to exempt citizens of all Gulf Cooperation Council countries from the VISA requirement. He added that this commitment was already evident in the joint communication on the strategic partnership with the Gulf.

It is also clear from his comments that this exemption may have different aspects. In fact, he makes it clear that a new VISA system will certainly be introduced. This will enable Saudi citizens to have multiple-entry visas into the EU. This means that, in addition to the exemption, there will be another means of obtaining a visa that can be used in different EU countries.

Exemption announced for Qatar and Kuwait

These two countries also belong to the Gulf Cooperation. Also with the aim of facilitating the movement of people, a proposal for VISA-free travel has also been announced. Citizens of these countries will be able to travel to European Union member states without a VISA. This proposal comes from the European Union Commission. As a result, when implemented, nationals holding biometric cards from these countries will be able to use them for business, tourism and family travel.

This exemption will cover short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This idea is only the first step. The second stage is for parliament to analyze. After examination, the members of this institution will judge whether it is necessary to grant this exemption regime to these two countries. However, this proposal already heralds the gradual abolition of the VISA requirement for these countries.

Exemption agreement for nationals of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates are also part of the Gulf region. There is no shortage of agreements aimed at exempting their nationals from the VISA requirement. Indeed, on May 6, 2015, an exemption from this requirement was signed between them and the European Union. Since then, they can travel without having to present a VISA. The agreements reached between these countries strictly follow the model established by already existing visa waiver agreements.

They therefore lift the visa requirement only for stays of between 90 and 180 days. With these agreements and proposals, we can see that this VISA requirement will gradually disappear in the Gulf countries. To benefit from these advantages, however, EU citizens and nationals of the United Arab Emirates must in principle hold a certain valid document, notably an ordinary, diplomatic or special passport.

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