Schengen visa-free travel for 5 Gulf states ‘very close’ — decision expected at Riyadh’s October 24 EU-GCC summit
GCC Secretary-General Jasem AlBudaiwi says the EU and GCC are “very close” to launching the Schengen visa-waiver process for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait, with the announcement expected at the EU-GCC summit in Riyadh on October 24, 2026. Here is what it means in practice.