Here’s what you need to know about this new Schengen-style visa for the GCC, Southeast Asia and Africa

Published on June 13, 2024

With new visa travel industry booms and changes the travel scenario. But international travellers did you know that there is a new visa that is built in the form of Schengen but functions for the GCC, Africa and Southeast Asia. Visa applications are often complex and time-consuming, requiring detailed checks of documents, biometrics, and travel history. As the world rebounds from the pandemic, there’s been a notable increase in tourism, prompting many countries to simplify their visa processes to boost local economies. Inspired by the Schengen Area in Europe, which allows seamless travel across 29 countries with a single visa, regions like Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and southern Africa are exploring the adoption of similar Schengen-style multi-country visas.

GCC – Grand Tours Visa
The GCC, comprising six Middle Eastern countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE – is set to launch its unified visa system, known as the GCC Grand Tours visa. This visa will allow travelers to stay and explore all member countries for up to 30 days without the need for separate visas for each country. The system is expected to be operational by the end of 2024, enhancing the region’s appeal to international tourists and boosting economic growth through increased tourism​​.

GCC Grand Tours Visa:

Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates

TTW Editor in Chief Mr. Anup Kumar Keshan once said, “I think the Schengen Zone’s visa-free access for travelers from 90 countries has significantly boosted tourism, making it a premier destination. France, in particular, stands out as the most popular, showcasing the cultural richness of the region. However, I believe it’s crucial to recognize that global warming poses a serious threat to this booming industry. If we don’t take action, the adverse effects of climate change could severely impact the travel and tourism sector.”

Southern Africa – KAZA Univisa
Southern Africa is also expanding its existing Univisa program to a broader Schengen-style visa. Currently, the Univisa allows travel between Zambia and Zimbabwe, but there are plans to extend this to include Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This visa will facilitate easier access to the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, promoting tourism across these countries known for their rich wildlife and stunning natural attractions like Victoria Falls​.

KAZA Univisa Expansion:

Angola
Botswana
Namibia
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Southeast Asia – ASEAN Visa
In Southeast Asia, there is a proposal to create a Schengen-style visa that would cover multiple countries within the ASEAN region. This initiative, primarily driven by Thailand, could allow tourists to travel freely between Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos with a single visa. This proposal aims to attract long-haul tourists and extend their stays across the diverse cultural and natural landscapes of Southeast Asia​.

ASEAN Visa (Proposed):

Thailand
Cambodia
Malaysia
Myanmar
Vietnam
Laos

Mr. Anup Kumar Keshan Editor in Chief of TTW said: “Malaysia is enhancing its position in the international tourism sector by simplifying its visa policies, offering visa-free entry to travelers from 134 countries, including GCC and Schengen nations. This remarkable move aims to attract international visitors by providing hassle-free opportunities for both leisure and business trips, with provisions for long stays up to 90 days. Such efforts are poised to significantly boost Malaysia’s travel industry and propel it towards a tourism boom.”

These new visa initiatives reflect a growing trend towards regional cooperation to boost tourism and simplify travel logistics. They hold the potential to make cross-border travel within these regions as seamless and enjoyable as traveling across Europe with a Schengen visa.

• The process of acquiring visas is often lengthy and demanding, involving meticulous checks on documents, biometrics, and travel history.
• In a post-pandemic world experiencing a tourism resurgence, many countries are rethinking their visa policies to boost tourism and economic growth.
• Traditionally, visa-free travel between all nations remains impractical due to diplomatic challenges. However, the success of the Schengen Area, which allows travel across 29 European countries with a single visa, has inspired other regions to consider similar unified visa schemes.
• Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and southern Africa are exploring the implementation of Schengen-style visas to simplify travel, attract more tourists, and foster regional economic development.

In 2023, the Schengen Zone introduced visa-free access for travelers from 91 countries, significantly boosting tourism. This policy allowed 395.9 million visitors to explore Schengen countries like France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Germany without needing a visa. France led the surge, attracting 100 million tourists. This influx underscores the enduring appeal and cultural richness of these destinations. The streamlined visa process not only promotes easier travel but also enhances economic growth across the region’s top tourist destinations.

Middle East – GCC Grand Tours

• The Middle East, specifically the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, is leading the charge in adopting a unified visa system.
  • The GCC includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
  • Currently, these countries require individual e-visas for entry.
• The proposed GCC Grand Tours visa aims to allow a stay of up to 30 days across all GCC countries with a single e-visa.
  • This will ease travel and encourage tourists to explore beyond major hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
  • Expected to be operational by the end of 2024, it promises to streamline travel and boost regional tourism.
  • Travel companies are preparing to offer packages that cover multiple GCC countries, simplifying the travel experience for tourists.

Southern Africa – Univisa

• Southern Africa is also pursuing a Schengen-style visa to facilitate seamless travel across the region.
  • Countries like Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are part of this initiative.
  • These nations are members of the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TCA), a large conservation area that spans these countries.
• The current Univisa program allows travel between Zambia and Zimbabwe, but plans are in place to expand this to a full multi-country visa.
  • The expanded Univisa will cover all five KAZA TCA nations, eliminating the need for multiple visas.
  • This will enable tourists to easily explore southern Africa’s rich wildlife, iconic waterfalls like Victoria Falls, and vast savannas.

Southeast Asia

• Southeast Asia is considering a unified visa program, inspired by the Schengen model.
  • The proposed visa could facilitate travel between Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos.
  • This initiative aims to attract long-haul travelers to explore multiple countries in the region with one visa.
• The single visa scheme is under discussion as Thailand and its neighbors already offer various visa-free and e-visa options to several nationalities.
  • The potential for a Schengen-style visa in Southeast Asia could significantly boost tourism by making it easier for tourists to navigate and extend their stays across the region.

Benefits of Schengen-Style Multi-Country Visas

• Simplified Application Process: Applying for multiple visas can be cumbersome. A unified visa allows one application process for access to several countries, reducing administrative burdens.
• Cost Reduction: Visa costs can add up, especially when traveling to multiple countries. A unified visa offers a cost-effective solution by consolidating these fees into one.
• Extended Vacations: With easier access to multiple destinations, tourists are likely to extend their stays, benefitting the local economies of each country they visit.
• Enhanced Regional Tourism: By simplifying travel logistics, these unified visas can boost tourist inflows, helping countries recover and thrive post-pandemic.

Since 1994, the South African Tourism Board has significantly boosted the country’s visibility as a unique travel destination. Post-apartheid, South Africa has seen substantial economic growth, nearly tripling its GDP by 2011. Despite modest future economic growth projections, the tourism industry has thrived, with international arrivals reaching 10 million in 2024. Iconic sites like the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and Kruger National Park continue to draw millions. South Africans enjoy visa-free access to 106 countries, enhancing their global travel ease.

• The idea of a Schengen-style multi-country visa system is gaining momentum across various regions. Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and southern Africa are at the forefront of these efforts, aiming to simplify travel, reduce costs, and encourage longer stays for tourists.
• With 29 countries in the Schengen Area setting the precedent, these regions are poised to open their doors wider to global travelers, offering a seamless travel experience and fostering regional economic growth.
• As these initiatives come to fruition, tourists can look forward to exploring diverse cultures, landscapes, and attractions with unprecedented ease and convenience.

Total Countries Involved

• Schengen Area: 29 countries
• Proposed unified visa regions:
  • GCC (Middle East): 6 countries
  • Southern Africa: 5 countries
  • Southeast Asia: 6 countries

The concept of Schengen-style multi-country visas is revolutionizing how we travel, with Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and southern Africa taking steps towards implementing these unified systems. By simplifying visa processes, reducing costs, and encouraging extended stays, these regions are set to attract more tourists and foster significant economic growth. As these initiatives roll out, travelers can look forward to a new era of effortless exploration across diverse and culturally rich destinations. With 29 countries in the Schengen Area already benefiting from such a system, the anticipated changes in Asia and Africa could significantly transform global travel, offering greater convenience and enhancing the tourism experience across these emerging hubs.

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