Citizens from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain can now apply for multiple-entry Schengen visas valid for five years, following the EU Commission's decision to streamline the application process for them. During his opening speech at the High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation, EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell announced that visa issuance rules had been standardized for all GCC nations. Borrell also expressed appreciation for the decision to grant five-year multiple-entry visas to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain.

While the EU has been implementing streamlined Schengen visa regulations for other GCC nations, the extension of visa validity for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain indicates a commitment to standardizing the rules for these countries as well. Although the EU Commission hasn't released an official statement, it's anticipated that, similar to nationals from other GCC countries, individuals from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain who fulfill the criteria will receive a five-year multiple-entry visa, even for first-time applicants.

Saudis, Omanis, and Bahrainis holding a five-year multiple-entry visa from any Schengen country can enter the Schengen Area multiple times within a year. However, they must adhere to the 90/180-day rule, meaning they cannot stay in the Schengen Area for more than three months within a six-month period. Unlike other GCC nations, only UAE nationals can enter the Schengen Area without a visa. The EU is in talks with the remaining GCC countries to potentially eliminate visa requirements altogether and enable unrestricted travel.

As per Schengen Visa Statistics, in 2022, nationals from Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain received a combined total of 378,869 Schengen visas from member states.

Among these nationals, Saudi Arabians received the highest number of Schengen visas, totaling 332,583 in 2022.

In contrast, nationals of Oman and Bahrain were issued 28,200 and 18,086 Schengen visas, respectively, during the same year.