5-year visas in EU-Schengen rule update
The European Union (EU) made a public declaration on Monday regarding the relaxation of visa regulations for individuals from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain.
To put this declaration into effect, the European Commission ratified three implementing resolutions that revise the guidelines governing the issuance of multi-entry visas for citizens of the aforementioned Gulf nations.
According to the recent modifications, residents of Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia become qualified to obtain multiple-entry visas. These visas permit holders to travel to the EU multiple times within a duration of five years under a single visa. These adjustments are aligned with the updated visa code, which follows the “cascade” concept. This concept ensures a “harmonized approach” to granting multiple-entry visas with extended validity periods to all qualified applicants, including those traveling for the first time.
Throughout the validity term of these visas, beneficiaries are entitled to travel privileges similar to those of visa-exempt individuals.
This reform seeks to standardize visa protocols for all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries where nationals require visas to enter the Schengen Area.
The European Union’s Joint Communication on a “Strategic Partnership with the Gulf” delineates the EU’s relations with the Kingdom, Oman, and Bahrain. Industry experts perceive this as an initial step towards a potential Schengen waiver.
The Schengen Area, encompassing 29 European nations and serving as the world’s largest free-travel region, expanded in March 2024 to include Bulgaria and Romania, thereby abolishing air and maritime border checks. A determination regarding the cessation of land controls is forthcoming.
In a related development, the Gulf countries outlined intentions in November to establish a unified tourist visa akin to the Schengen system. This initiative seeks to enhance operational efficiency for both residents and tourists alike.