GCC Takes First Step Toward Unified Visa Across Six Gulf States

The Gulf Cooperation Council said it will roll out a unified tourist visa across all six member states, with pilot programs starting in late 2025 and a full launch targeted for 2026, marking the region’s most ambitious travel policy shift in years. Approved in 2023, the plan—often referred to as the GCC Grand Tours Visa—aims to let visitors travel between Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman on a single permit. This change could reshape holiday planning, tour design, and airline routing across the Gulf.

The first trial will run between the UAE and Bahrain, creating an early test of how the system will work in practice for travelers and border agencies alike.

Visa model, validity, and application process

Officials confirmed the unified tourist visa will follow a Schengen-style model, allowing multiple entries and seamless movement among the six countries.

• The permit is expected to be valid for 30 to 90 days, giving long-haul visitors time to combine several stops into one trip rather than juggling separate applications.
• The application will run through a centralized digital platform, enabling travelers to apply online and avoid back-and-forth paperwork with individual embassies.
• Initially, the permit will cover tourism and family visits only.

Important operational note:
– Each country will retain national control: they will continue to run their own security checks and make final admissibility decisions at the border.

One-stop travel system for GCC nationals

Alongside the unified tourist visa, the GCC plans a “one-stop” travel system for its own citizens, beginning in December 2025 between the UAE and Bahrain.

• Under the trial, GCC nationals will complete immigration and security checks once before departure, removing repeat inspections on arrival.
• Expected benefits include:
  • Faster short trips
  • Smoother business and family travel within the bloc
  • Border officers freed to focus on higher-risk flows

Officials describe the joint approach as a way to reduce duplicate work while keeping strong safeguards in place.

Goals and expected tourism impact

Backers say the unified tourist visa and one-stop system are part of a wider push to:

• Boost tourism
• Simplify travel logistics
• Deepen economic ties across the bloc

Key voices:
– GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al Budaiwi
– Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khatib

They highlighted potential to attract more visitors from far markets—especially China and India—by cutting costs and time. A single application and a wider travel window could encourage visitors to add extra stops (for example, a desert tour in Saudi Arabia combined with a coastal break in Oman) rather than choosing only one destination due to visa friction.

The pilot phase: UAE–Bahrain corridor

The pilot programs in late 2025 will act as a proving ground.

Objectives of the UAE–Bahrain corridor trial:
1. Confirm airport systems can read new digital credentials at speed.
2. Verify that officers can accept a single permit for multiple destinations.
3. Test airline check-in procedures for visa-status checks.
4. See how hotels and tour operators handle more complex itineraries.

The goal is to surface and fix pain points before the wider 2026 launch so the platform and processes are stable for general use.

Traveler benefits and industry response

For travelers, the change promises simpler planning.

• Today: a two-week Gulf trip might require separate visas, each with its own forms, fees, and timing rules.
• Under the GCC Grand Tours Visa: the same traveler could plan a loop across several capitals under a single permit, using the centralized portal for updates.

Specific advantages:
– Families visiting relatives in different member states can add short holidays without new applications.
– Tourism businesses can create new “grand tour” products linking festivals, museums, and natural sites across borders.

Industry reactions:
– Airlines expect more multi-city bookings and may adjust schedules to match new flows.
– Hotels are preparing for guests splitting time across states.
– Tour operators see opportunities to build regional packages.
– Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests a unified tourist visa could reduce no-shows tied to late approvals and create steadier demand across seasons.

Concerns to watch:
– Performance of the application portal during peak periods
– Predictability of processing during the 2026 rollout

Security, national control, and operational requirements

Authorities emphasize that the Schengen-style design does not remove national control.

• Border officers in each country will retain the right to refuse entry under national laws and checks.
• The project balances shared access with national decision-making—facilitating travel while preserving each member’s ability to enforce security and public policy.

Operational needs include:
– A digital platform that accepts applications, runs basic checks, and shares status updates with national systems without delay.
– Clear protocols for verifying the permit and recording entries/exits across multiple countries within one trip.
– Comprehensive training so officers at airports and land crossings follow consistent procedures.

The December 2025 one-stop trial for GCC nationals will also test whether pre-departure checks can effectively replace arrival screening without delaying flights.

Timeline and expectations

The GCC has framed the timeline as firm yet pragmatic:

• Late 2025: Pilot programs to surface real-world issues.
• 2026: Broader launch when systems are ready for general use.

This pacing signals both confidence and caution. Authorities want early wins on speed and convenience but need evidence that shared processes hold up under weekend surges and holiday peaks.

Where to find official updates

Travelers and industry partners can monitor GCC announcements on the Secretariat General’s website, which posts policy notes and communiqués about regional initiatives, including travel and security coordination.

Official portal:
– GCC Secretariat General

Note: Application instructions for the new permit have not yet been published. Officials say the system will be digital and designed to reduce repetitive data entry.

Key measure of success: fewer hurdles for visitors and faster movement within the region, while maintaining steady security standards. If pilot programs prove that border checks, airline procedures, and the centralized platform can interoperate smoothly, the GCC Grand Tours Visa could become a defining feature of Gulf travel—potentially driving investment in hotels, transport links, and cultural sites across all six states.