The Gulf Cooperation Council has revealed significant developments in ongoing efforts to secure Schengen visa-free travel for citizens of five Gulf countries. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi indicated that the process is approaching an important stage, raising expectations that a positive announcement could emerge during the second GCC-European Union Summit scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 24, 2026.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Arab News’ Arab Views podcast, published on Friday, October 9, Al-Budaiwi said that Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar were very close to beginning the procedures required to achieve visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen area. His comments suggested that discussions had made encouraging progress, although the necessary European approval process has not yet been completed.

The development is particularly relevant to Gulf citizens who frequently travel to European destinations for tourism, business, family visits and other short-term purposes. At present, nationals of the five countries generally remain subject to Schengen visa requirements, despite existing arrangements that make it easier for eligible applicants to obtain long-validity, multiple-entry visas.

The United Arab Emirates remains the only GCC member whose citizens currently benefit from visa-free access to the Schengen area for short visits. The other five member states are seeking comparable arrangements that would eventually allow eligible citizens to enter participating European countries without first applying for a conventional Schengen visa, provided all legal and administrative requirements are approved.

The second GCC-EU Summit is officially scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026, in Saudi Arabia. The meeting is expected to address several areas of cooperation between the Gulf states and the European Union, including political relations, economic partnerships, investment opportunities and cross-regional mobility, with visa facilitation among the issues attracting particular public attention.

Al-Budaiwi expressed optimism that the summit could bring positive news regarding the beginning of the Schengen visa waiver process. However, his remarks did not establish an implementation date, confirm that a final agreement had been concluded, or indicate that European institutions had already completed the approvals necessary to remove visa requirements for the five nationalities.

It is important to distinguish between full visa exemption and existing visa facilitation policies. Citizens of several Gulf countries may already qualify for multiple-entry Schengen visas valid for up to five years under applicable conditions. Such visas can make repeated travel more convenient, but they remain visas and do not provide the same rights as visa-free entry.

The anticipated development also does not automatically apply to foreign expatriates residing in GCC countries. Eligibility for visa-free travel generally depends on a traveller’s nationality, passport and the applicable European immigration rules, rather than simply holding a residence permit in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar or Oman.

Until European authorities formally adopt and implement any new exemption arrangements, travellers should continue complying with existing Schengen visa requirements. Citizens planning trips to Europe are advised to consult official consular information before booking travel on the assumption that the proposed waiver is already available. Further clarification may emerge following the GCC-EU Summit later this month.