GCC – 9xm News

One visa, six Gulf countries: GCC Unified Tourist Visa confirmed for pilot launch this year | World News

The GCC unified tourist visa, confirmed for pilot launch this year, will allow seamless travel across all six Gulf Cooperation Council countries/ Representative Image The GCC will begin testing a single unified tourist visa in the fourth quarter of 2025, allowing travel across all six member countries under one permit. UAE Minister of Economy and […]

US govt shutdown: What GCC residents and travelers must know about visa and passport services | World News

Scheduled visa and passport services at US embassies in the GCC will continue during the government shutdown, as conditions allow/ Image composte: AP, File As the US government begins a partial shutdown due to a failure in passing key funding legislation, American embassies across the Gulf have issued clear directives to residents and travelers. While […]

Commercial Bank Assets in GCC reach $3.53 trillion amid strong growth in deposits and loans: GCC-Stat | World News

Commercial banks in the GCC reached $3.5 trillion in assets, supported by a 9.6% increase in total deposits/ Image: WAM Commercial banks in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries closed 2024 with notable gains across all financial indicators. Backed by robust deposits, rising loan volumes, and sustained capital adequacy, the sector’s total assets reached $3.5 trillion. […]

Kuwait: GCC expats, including Indians, now eligible for instant tourist visa on arrival in Kuwait | World News

GCC expats can now get a Kuwait tourist visa on arrival at all airports and border ports with valid passport and 6-month residency/ File In a major policy shift benefiting millions of Gulf expatriates, Kuwait now allows foreign GCC residents to obtain tourist visas on arrival, without prior application or embassy procedures, lifting long-standing restrictions […]

GCC-Stat confirms 100% households in GCC countries have access to safe drinking water and electricity | World News

GCC-Stat is the unified statistical center for Gulf countries, providing reliable data to support coordinated economic and social development/ Image: File A new report from the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) highlights key social and infrastructure achievements across GCC nations. It reveals that all households within […]

GCC GDP 2024: Real and nominal figures differ, but both show non-oil sectors make up over 70% | World News

In 2024, non-oil sectors made up 77.9% of nominal GDP and 70.6% of real GDP across the GCC/ Image: FIle The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies showed steady growth in 2024, with rising contributions from non-oil sectors offsetting a decline in oil output. Real GDP rose 3.3% in the fourth quarter, backed by strong performance […]

Kuwait reboots eVisa system with new rules for GCC residents: Key info for travellers | World News

Streamlined eVisa process aims to attract GCC-based travellers and boost regional tourism/Representative Image TL;DR: Kuwait reopened its improved e‑Visa portal in January 2025, allowing certain GCC‑based residents to apply online or obtain visa‑on‑arrival. Eligible applicants must hold a GCC residency of 6+ months, a valid passport, and work in specified professional categories such as doctors, […]

World Bank forecasts 3.2% GCC growth in 2025, says smart spending is key to sustained growth | World News

GCC governments poised for growth rebound as the World Bank projects 3.2% regional GDP growth in 2025/Representative Image TL;DR: GCC real GDP growth projected at 3.2% in 2025, rising to 4.5% in 2026, up from 1.7% in 2024. Growth fueled by easing OPEC+ supply cuts and robust expansion in non-oil sectors particularly private consumption, investment, […]

What’s cooking in the Gulf? Health, heritage and premium imports reshape GCC dining | World News

Healthier meals, fusion menus, and premium food imports are defining how Gulf residents eat in 2025/Representative Image TL;DR: GCC consumers are shifting toward healthier, experience-led dining, favouring plant-based, functional, and fusion cuisine. Technology is reshaping dining from digital menus and loyalty apps to cloud kitchens and delivery-first models. The region’s appeal for culinary tourism is […]

Can you drive in UAE with GCC licence? Eligibility and exchange rules explained | World News

GCC nationals can drive in the UAE with their home licences as visitors but must exchange them upon gaining residency/ Representative Image TL;DR GCC nationals can drive in the UAE using their home country licence while visiting. Once a GCC national becomes a UAE resident, they must exchange their licence. License exchange is done via […]