Latest News: UAE deepens climate and infrastructure cooperation with VanuatuUS warns against Iranian demands to collect transit tolls in Strait of HormuzUAE and GCC strongly condemn Houthi threats of maritime blockade on Saudi ArabiaUS expected to announce landmark civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi ArabiaKuwait and Jordan maintain low inflation rates in June despite regional pressuresUAE targets five to seven new CEPA trade agreements by end of 2026Qatar stands with Saudi Arabia in condemning Houthi maritime blockade threatsADNOC secures $6.2 billion investment for Umm Shaif offshore gas expansionUAE delivers 980 tonnes of relief aid to Gaza under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3GCC and EU issue joint condemnation of maritime attacks in GulfSpain claims second FIFA World Cup title with 1-0 win over ArgentinaSaudi Arabia launches 365-day multiple-entry Umrah visaOil prices surge past $90 as Strait of Hormuz conflict escalatesBahrain activates emergency sirens as UAE condemns renewed aerial attacksAbu Dhabi Police issue strict new safety guidelines for e-bike ridersKuwait Airways reschedules commercial flights amid temporary airport suspensionUAE Public Prosecution expands probe into retracted report of Dubai explosionsUAE leaders mark Union Pledge Day to celebrate nation’s historic foundationSaudi Arabia and UAE brace for extreme heat as ‘Jamrat Al Qaydh’ beginsIndian consulate in Dubai announces three-day closure for maintenanceUAE strongly condemns hostile aerial attacks on regional alliesGlobal energy prices surge as conflict halts Strait of Hormuz shippingKuwait cabinet approves restructuring of Kuwait AirwaysQatar’s Amir receives international condolences following passing of Father AmirEASA issues updated airspace advisory for Gulf countriesGulf states strongly condemn hostile aerial attacks targeting regionDu restores mobile calling services across UAE following morning outageSaudi Arabia warns expats of SR 50,000 fine and deportation for visa overstaysUAE Vice President offers condolences to Qatar’s Amir at Lusail PalaceOman summons Iranian ambassador to protest drone strikes on national territoryDubai Islamic Bank reports $1.01 billion net profit for the first half of 2026Delhi High Court quashes tender for new Indian consular application centres in UAECanada and UK issue travel warnings as Abha airport flight cancellations enter second dayUAE leaders congratulate the President of France on National DayQatar strongly condemns Houthi missile attack targeting southern Saudi ArabiaUAE strongly condemns ongoing attacks on Kuwait’s consulate in BasraKuwait braces for extreme summer conditions as temperatures forecast to hit 51°CIndia summons Iranian diplomat after Indian sailor killed in Strait of Hormuz tanker strikeUAE condemns renewed Iranian hostile attacks targeting Jordan and BahrainGCC Secretary General denounces Houthi ballistic missile strikes on southern Saudi ArabiaKuwait introduces sweeping cooperative sector reforms to enhance governance and transparencyKuwait strongly condemns Iranian attack on Emirati oil tankers in the Strait of HormuzQatar’s Amir receives global leaders offering condolences on the passing of Father AmirCommercial tanker struck by missile off the coast of Oman as regional tensions peakHouthi forces fire missiles at Abha airport, breaking four-year truce with Saudi ArabiaUAE strongly condemns Iranian attacks on national oil tankers in the Strait of HormuzDubai Vartha recognized by Dubai Press Club for crucial and comprehensive news coverageDubai Press Club launches the third edition of the Arab Podcast Program to empower regional audio creators.Fire breaks out at ammunition storage facility in Zayed Military CityOman reports and condemns aerial drone activity near the strategic Musandam ExclaveUAE declares full solidarity with Kuwait following hostile cross-border drone attacksQatar observes 4-day public mourning following the passing of Father AmirBahrain air defenses intercept multiple aerial attacks; 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GCC Tourism Ministers Finalize Framework for Unified Tourist Visa

BAHRAIN, GCC, KUWAIT, OMAN, QATAR, SAUDI, UAE
May 17, 2026

The long-awaited GCC unified tourist visa is entering its final administrative phase, with regional tourism ministers confirming that trial rollouts will commence in the third quarter of 2026. Designed to mirror the European Schengen system, the unified visa will allow expatriates and international tourists to cross borders between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman under a single permit. Recent updates to the UAE’s federal e-government portals (ICP Smart Services and GDRFA) have already laid the digital groundwork for this integration. For the millions of expatriate families residing in the Gulf, the unified visa promises to eliminate the repetitive cost and paperwork of cross-border travel, fundamentally reshaping regional tourism and family logistics.