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GCC to adopt single visa system -- Kuwaiti official

(With photos) ABU DHABI, May 31 (KUNA) -- GCC immigration chiefs are expected to approve a single visa application system at a meeting here Sunday, Kuwait's immigration chief said.
A la the European Schengen visa, the planned European visa will enable Gulf visitors to tour all the six GCC member countries, Kuwaiti General Administration for Immigration Director-General Brig. Kamel al-Awadhi told KUNA on the sidelines of the 24th meeting of GCC immigration chiefs.
The single Gulf visa application system was suggested and given the thumbs up during a recent meeting of undersecretaries of GCC interior ministries in Riyadh, he said.
During their gathering here, the Gulf conferees will also adopt an overture to give foreign residents in GCC countries a "double residency permit" in order to allow them to study and open offices in any GCC country, he added.
Furthermore, he unfolded that all Kuwaiti citizens would be given smart Gulf ID cards by August 2009, which would make it easy for them to move from one Gulf country to another.
The ongoing GCC meeting in Abu Dhabi will thrash out a spectrum of issues pertinent to security coordination and cooperation among the GCC member countries over the facilitation of movement of Gulf citizens and foreign residents.
Kuwait's delegation participating in the meeting is led by al-Awadhi and includes several other security officials. (end) bmj.mt KUNA 311428 May 09NNNN