Latest news with #JassemAlBudaiwi
Arabian Business
04-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE holiday dates; GCC visa ‘coming soon'; Dubai real estate record; New Saudi law – 10 things you missed this week
From UAE holidays to highways, mortgages to mega-sales — here's what made headlines across the UAE and Gulf this week. Whether you're planning your next day off or tracking the region's real estate boom, we've got you covered. Catch up on 10 of the biggest stories news stories of the week as selected by Arabian Business editors. When is the next 2025 UAE holiday? People in the UAE enjoyed a long weekend break as workers in the public and private sectors were given a holiday to mark Islamic New Year on Friday, June 27. It followed a short time after an extended holiday for Eid Al Adha, earlier in June. There are more official public holidays to come, however, with planned breaks to mark: Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birthday UAE National Day Unified visa for UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman launching 'soon' says GCC chief A unified tourism visa for visitors to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman will be launched soon, according to GCC Secretary General Jassem Al Budaiwi. In a statement by the GCC Secretariat, Al Budaiwi expressed gratitude to member nations for efforts to realise the unified tourism visa. After it is introduced, non-GCC visitors to the region will be able to move freely between the six nations using a single visa. Once approved, the unified Gulf tourist visa will allow its holders to visit six GCC countries, focusing on attracting and retaining tourists within the region to enhance economic integration. UAE announces petrol prices for July 2025 The UAE has released its petrol prices for July 2025. The prices have increased compared to the rates in June. While prices have remained steady recently, motorists are paying considerably less at the pump compared to the same period last year across all fuel types, even though there were price variations throughout the previous year. From July 1, the cost of filling up vehicles in the UAE has been: E-Plus: AED 2.51 a litre from AED 2.39 in June Special 95: AED 2.58 a litre from AED 2.47 in June Super 98: AED 2.70 a litre from AED 2.58 in June Diesel: AED 2.63 a litre from AED 2.45 in June Dubai slashes travel time on major road from 12 to 3 minutes with new tunnels and bridges Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the Al Safa Street Improvement Project, a major infrastructure upgrade aimed at cutting travel time, enhancing traffic flow, and supporting the Emirate's rapid urban development. The project, extending 1.5km from the junction of Al Safa Street with Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Street, is designed to accommodate population growth and elevate quality of life across key districts. Once complete, the travel time on Al Safa Street will drop from 12 minutes to just 3 minutes, while road capacity will double from 6,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. UAE announces new mortgage procedures The UAE has announced new mortgage plans to slash bureaucracy and support real estate efficiency. In a move toward seamless government services in the UAE, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) held its inaugural Customer Council meeting to overhaul the mortgage release procedure following loan repayment. The initiative—part of the Ministry's Smart Government agenda—brings together federal and local authorities, the Emirates Development Bank, and end-users to pinpoint bottlenecks and co-design a streamlined process. Saudi Arabia's new Social Insurance Law takes effect from today Saudi Arabia's new Social Insurance Law, issued last year on July 2 by a Royal Decree, came into force this Tuesday. The General Organisation for Social Insurance (GOSI) stated that the law applies exclusively to new civil employees joining the public and private sectors, who do not have any prior contribution periods in the current Civil Pension Law or Social Insurance Law. The amended law stipulates a gradual increase in retirement age. There will be no change in the current GOSI subscriber benefits. The organisation stated that the statutory retirement age for individuals affected by the amendments will range between 58 and 65 years. Dubai real estate sales hit record $89bn in H1 2025; best-selling projects and neighbourhoods revealed Dubai's real estate market recorded its highest-ever half-year performance, with 98,603 property sales worth AED326.7bn ($89bn) completed in the first half of 2025, according to the latest update from fäm Properties. The growth was fuelled by a record-breaking Q2, which saw 53,118 transactions worth AED184bn ($50.1bn) — a 25 per cent increase in value compared to the previous peak of AED147.2bn ($39.7bn) in Q4 2024, and 5.39 per cent more transactions than the earlier record of 50,400 deals. Highlights of the analysis include: Plot sales: AED 32.2bn ($8.7bn) from 1,384 deals (up 49 per cent YoY) Villas: 10,019 units sold worth AED66.5bn ($18.1bn) (up 38.3 per cent YoY) Apartments: AED81.6bn ($22.2bn) in sales (up 18.7 per cent YoY) Commercial properties: AED3.6bn ($980m) from 1,252 transactions (up 12.5 per cent YoY) Dubai to welcome 3 new global universities for 2025-26 academic year Dubai is set to welcome three leading international universities for the upcoming academic year as it aims to become a global education hub. Three leading international universities — IIM Ahmedabad (India), American University of Beirut (Lebanon), and Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences (Saudi Arabia) — are set to open branch campuses in Dubai during the 2025-26 academic year, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) confirmed. The move is part of Dubai's wider push to position itself as a top 10 global destination for higher education under the emirate's Education 33 strategy, aligned with the broader Dubai Economic Agenda D33. Dubai South Properties launches new luxury real estate community Hayat Dubai South Properties has launched Hayat, a master-planned community covering 10 million square feet. The development sits in the Golf District at Dubai South, close to Al Maktoum International Airport's current terminal. The development will house approximately 2,500 residential units comprising townhouses, semi-attached and standalone villas, mansions, apartments, and hotel apartments. Dubai suspends 2 engineering firms, announces major upgrade to contractor evaluation system Dubai Municipality has suspended two engineering consultancy offices from licensing any new projects for six months, following violations of professional regulations, licensing terms, and ethical standards. The decision was made by the Committee of Registration and Licensing the Practice of Engineering Consultancy and Contracting and aims to protect the interests of property owners and developers across the emirate. The action is part of the municipality's broader regulatory role, which includes routine field inspections to ensure that engineering consultancies adhere to approved legal and professional standards.
Skift
04-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
Unified GCC Tourist Visa Nears Launch, Aims to Boost Regional Stays
It's been two years since the unified GCC visa was first mentioned, a new travel permit which ministers hope will promote cross-country travel as seen in Europe. The long-anticipated unified GCC visa is finally nearing rollout, two years after it was first approved. The new visa will allow travelers to move freely among any Gulf Cooperation Council country — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — under a single permit. GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi said the visa would be launched 'soon' following a meeting with the bloc's interior ministries this week. The initiative was first floated in May 2023 during a conference in Dubai, where ministers from across the Gulf signaled their intent to replicate the European tourism model and encourage seamless, cross-country travel. Official approval came in October 2024. Tourism Benefits Since its announcement, tourism leaders across the region have repeatedly pointed to the visa's potential to transform visitor flows. At a Dubai tradeshow in May 2024, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE's Minister of Economy, said the visa would unlock 'grand packages' lasting up to a month. 'The unified tourist visa will allow travelers to visit all six countries,' he said. 'Through the GCC grand tours we are aiming to finish, tourists will spend more than 30 days in the region.' Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority Chairman Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, speaking at the same event, added: 'One of the main aims is to extend the length of stay. In leisure, people can travel up to four weeks. We want them to combine their holidays across the GCC.' Raki Phillips, CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, also welcomed the plans at the Skift Global Forum East 2023. 'This new Schengen-style visa is huge for [GCC] tourism and Ras Al Khaimah will see a huge benefit,' he said. Phillips stressed the need for a unified mindset: 'There is nothing more important than a collaborative approach. We should compete collaboratively. In this part of the world, we want to be collaborative. That could mean visa processing, hotels, and airlines.' At its core, the new visa aims to reduce barriers and make travel across the Gulf simpler and more appealing. 'We have to take away the burden of travel,' Phillips said. 'We want to find those friction points and eliminate them. Travel must be more accessible.' A Unified Gulf In October 2023, Al Marri told UAE state news that the visa is part of a wider strategy between now and the end of the decade. "This initiative is an integral part of the GCC 2030 tourism strategy, designed to elevate the tourism sector's contribution to the GDP through increased inter-GCC travel and elevated hotel occupancy rates, transforming the GCC into a pre-eminent global destination for both regional and international tourists." He stated that the GCC joint tourism strategy "2023-2030" targets an annual increase of 7% in inbound trips to GCC countries, with a target of reaching 128.7 million visitors by 2030.
Asharq Al-Awsat
04-07-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Budaiwi: Unified GCC Tourism Visa Coming Soon
The unified GCC tourism visa (for non-Gulf countries' residents) will be launched soon, Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi said this week. Al-Budaiwi - during the 39th meeting of heads of GCC Interior Ministries' passport departments - expressed gratitude to all efforts to realize the unified tourism visa, the GCC Secretariat said in a statement on Wednesday. He indicated that the measures would help realize the visions of the Gulf leaderships, adding that involved parties were keen on keeping up with the latest technologies, as well as growing and rapid global security demands.
Fintech News ME
04-07-2025
- Business
- Fintech News ME
Gulf Cooperation Council to Launch Unified Tourism Visa for Member States
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to introduce a unified tourism visa, as announced by GCC Secretary General Jassem Al Budaiwi on Wednesday (July 2). According to The Gulf News, Al Budaiwi commended the collaborative efforts of the Gulf states in progressing the initiative, which aims to facilitate easier travel across the region. Once implemented, the single visa will allow tourists to move freely between the six GCC member countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. 'The unified visa reflects the vision of our leaders to strengthen integration and cooperation,' said Al Budaiwi. He added that the move aligns with broader plans to modernise the region's travel infrastructure and to support economic growth through tourism. The new visa, officially named the GCC Grand Tours Visa, was approved in November 2023 during the 40th meeting of GCC interior ministers in Oman. The initiative draws parallels to the Schengen visa in Europe and represents a notable step in the Gulf's efforts to diversify its economies, attract international visitors, and encourage intra-regional tourism. Although the final details have yet to be confirmed, the visa is expected to allow travel to all six member states with a single application. It will reportedly be valid for tourism and family visits, available exclusively through an online portal, and offered with a validity period likely ranging from 30 to 90 days. Applicants may also have the option to apply for a visa covering a single country or all six. The scheme is expected to reduce the cost and administrative burden compared to applying for separate visas for each country. Requirements for applicants will likely include a valid passport with at least six months' validity, a completed online application form, a recent passport-sized photograph, proof of accommodation such as hotel bookings or an invitation letter, travel insurance that includes medical coverage, evidence of sufficient funds such as bank statements, and a return or onward travel ticket. Once launched, applicants will be able to submit their information through an official website, select their visa type, upload the required documents, pay the relevant fees online, and receive their e-visa via email. A printed or digital copy will be needed for airport procedures.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
GCC Unified Tourist Visa: Everything you need to know
Travel across the Gulf could soon get a whole lot easier. Say goodbye to visa juggling. The GCC Unified Tourist Visa is officially on the horizon – and it's set to make hopping across your favourite Gulf destinations smoother than ever. In a recent announcement, GCC Secretary General Jassem Al Budaiwi confirmed that the long-anticipated single-entry visa for the Gulf is moving ahead, with all six member states actively working to bring it to life. The GCC Unified Tourist Visa, which will officially be named 'GCC Grand Tours', will allow freedom of movement between residents in six countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. As visa-free travel is possible for citizens of GCC countries, it's thought that the new visa will apply to the millions of non-nationals living in the region. This will also allow tourists to spend more than 30 days in the GCC. Plans for the new GCC Unified Tourist Visa were officially approved late in 2023 following a unanimous vote by ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council at a meeting in Oman. The visa is aimed at encouraging tourism within the region and growing each nation's tourist economy. Current rules for intra-regional GCC travel from the UAE UAE citizens do not need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia and can stay for up to 90 days but people just living in UAE do require a visa. In Bahrain, it's a similar story as UAE natives don't require a visa to enter but passport holders of other countries who reside in the UAE need either an eVisa or a Bahrain on-arrival visa. Credit: Supplied Oman is open to UAE citizens without the need for a visa but residents in the GCC currently need to be on a list of approved professions or be accompanied by someone who is in order to get an unsponsored visa. Citizens of GCC countries can enter Kuwait without a visa by presenting a valid GCC ID card but those who are non-nationals will need an eVisa or visa-on-arrival. Qatar allows citizens of more than 100 countries to enter visa-free including those from the UAE. Lengths of stay vary and conditions will be different depending on your nationality. And, people travelling to the UAE from other GCC countries are allowed entry for a period of no longer than 30 days, which can only be extended once with an eVisa. When the date for the new unified tourist visa is confirmed, we'll have all the details you need to know to prepare yourself. What do you need for a GCC Unified Tourist Visa? Officials also say the visa will offer better value – meaning fewer application fees and a simplified process. Likely documents you'll need: While exact requirements may differ depending on your nationality, here's a general idea of what to prepare: A valid passport (with at least six months left) Online application form Recent passport photo Hotel bookings or an invitation letter Travel insurance with medical coverage Proof of funds (like a bank statement) Return or onward travel ticket How to apply Once launched, the visa application process is expected to go fully digital. Here's how it'll likely work: Visit the official visa portal (to be announced) Choose between single or multi-country access Upload documents and travel details Pay the visa fee securely online Receive your e-visa via email No queues. No embassies. No paperwork chaos. It has previously been hinted by the UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri that the visa will apply to residents within the GCC rather than just passport holders. In November 2023 he said: 'Hopefully, we are going to see something around a pan-GCC visa which will allow easier mobility of people within the GCC. 'A resident of Saudi, for instance, can enter the UAE and vice versa. I think that's where we see the future of GCC tourism.' This would be yet another addition to the list of things you can do with your Emirates ID. What will the GCC Unified Tourist Visa mean for UAE? While the UAE is arguably the best prepared of the six GCC nations to welcome large swathes of tourists, the country is going to make some changes to make travelling easier. For visitors to the UAE, the Emirates Tourism Council say they are working on a tourist route within the country which will interconnect the seven emirates. Infrastructure projects such as the Etihad Rail passenger train should make travel around the UAE easier (Credit: WAM) The new Etihad Rail passenger train set to start operations between Abu Dhabi and Dubai later this year should also make travel around the country much easier. New major roads around Dubai, the UAE's most populated city, will eventually make things easier too. Amazing things to do in Abu Dhabi 23 brilliant beach and pool day passes in Abu Dhabi Grab your SPF, because it's time to tan Top places for irresistible burrata in Abu Dhabi Best restaurants to get the creamy curds oozing Dance the night away: 17 bars and nightclubs in Abu Dhabi to bust a move All the bars with great music and space to shake a leg
