Major travel reforms across the Gulf, significant legal decisions, and poignant local events made headlines over the weekend. Key developments include progress on a unified GCC tourist visa, new Umrah rules in Saudi Arabia, and a landmark compensation agreement for a subway project in Manila.
Regional Travel and Tourism
Moves to simplify travel within the Gulf are gathering pace, with a pilot for the GCC Grand Tourist Visa expected in the fourth quarter of 2025. The single permit aims to allow seamless travel across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
In related news, Oman has eased entry for many UAE residents, who can now obtain a visa on arrival or an eVisa. The change facilitates short-term trips to popular destinations like Salalah and Musandam for those in eligible professions. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has opened Umrah to pilgrims holding any type of visa, including personal, tourist, and work permits. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated the policy aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to streamline access for worshippers.
Legal and Financial Headlines
In the Philippines, residents of Corinthian Gardens, an exclusive community in Metro Manila, voted to accept a ₱222.2 million ($3.83 million) compensation package. The agreement allows for the construction of a station for the $9 billion Manila Subway within their neighbourhood, ending a contentious debate and avoiding a court case.
Elsewhere, a court has ruled that Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty is barred from travel until a deposit of Rs600 million is made in connection with an ongoing financial case. On the international front, the United States is adding seven countries to its visa bond list from October 2025. Citizens from Mali, Mauritania, Tanzania, and four other nations applying for B1/B2 visas may need to post bonds of up to $15,000.
In Qatar, the government has introduced a new marriage allowance of QAR 12,000 for its citizens, alongside a 150% performance bonus scheme.
Community News from the UAE
Tragedy struck in Abu Dhabi when Hariraj Sudevan, a 37-year-old Indian engineer, died from a heart attack just hours after his wife and son departed from the city’s international airport. In a separate incident in Khor Fakkan, a 41-year-old Emirati man and his seven-month-old son were killed in a car crash caused by a speeding driver. Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution.
On a more positive note, Dubai has exempted four categories of people with disabilities from Salik road tolls. In business, the success story of [property mogul Ben Bandari](https://thegulfmagazine.com/10-tips-to-buy-the-most-profitable-
