The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) unified tourist visa, often called the “GCC Grand Tours Visa,” marks a major change in how people will travel across the Gulf region. This new visa, inspired by the European Schengen visa, will allow visitors to move freely between Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪, Qatar 🇶🇦, Bahrain 🇧🇭, Kuwait 🇰🇼, and Oman 🇴🇲 using just one visa. As of July 22, 2025, all six countries have formally approved the plan, and the visa is now in its final stages of preparation. The official launch is expected by the end of 2025, with some sources suggesting it could extend into early 2026.
This update explains what has changed, who will be affected, what actions travelers and stakeholders should take, and what the new visa means for people with pending or planned travel to the region.
What Has Changed: The Introduction of the GCC Unified Tourist Visa
The most important change is the agreement among all six GCC countries to launch a single, unified tourist visa. This visa will let travelers visit any or all of the member countries with just one application and one fee. The move is designed to make travel easier, boost tourism, and help the region grow as a global destination.
Key Points of the New Visa:
- Covers all six GCC countries: Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪, Qatar 🇶🇦, Bahrain 🇧🇭, Kuwait 🇰🇼, and Oman 🇴🇲.
- Single visa for multiple countries: Travelers can enter any GCC country and move between them without needing new visas for each.
- Modeled after the Schengen visa: Like the Schengen visa in Europe, which allows travel between many European countries, the GCC unified tourist visa will offer similar freedom within the Gulf region.
- Expected validity: The visa will likely be valid for 30 to 90 days, allowing for both short and longer visits.
- Online application: The process will be digital, making it easier and faster for travelers to apply.
- Multiple entries: Visitors can enter and leave GCC countries as many times as they want during the visa’s validity.
- Reasonable fees: While the exact fee is not yet announced, officials say it will be affordable.
Who Is Affected by the Change
The new GCC unified tourist visa will affect several groups:
- International tourists: People from outside the GCC who want to visit one or more Gulf countries for tourism or to see family will benefit the most. Instead of applying for separate visas for each country, they will only need one.
- Travel agencies and tour operators: Businesses that arrange tours in the Gulf will find it easier to offer multi-country packages.
- The tourism industry: Hotels, airlines, and other travel-related businesses in the region are expected to see more visitors and longer stays.
- Business travelers (in the future): While the first phase is for tourism and family visits, officials say business travel may be included in later phases.
- People with pending visa applications: Those who have already applied for single-country visas should watch for updates, as the unified visa may change the process or requirements.
Effective Dates and Timeline
- Formal approval: All six GCC countries have approved the visa as of June 2025.
- Implementation phase: Technical and administrative work is underway to set up the systems needed for the visa.
- Expected launch: The visa should be available by the end of 2025. Some sources say it could be early 2026 if there are delays.
- Recent related changes: Kuwait introduced a new 90-day e-visa on July 1, 2025, showing the region’s move toward digital visa systems.
Formal approval by all six GCC countries
Kuwait introduced a new 90-day e-visa
All six countries formally approved the GCC unified tourist visa
Expected launch of the GCC unified tourist visa
Possible launch if there are delays
Required Actions for Travelers and Stakeholders
If you plan to visit the Gulf region soon, here’s what you should do:
- Monitor official updates: The final details about the application process, fees, and requirements will be announced closer to the launch. Check the official websites of the GCC Secretariat and the Ministries of Interior for each country. For example, you can find updates on the GCC Secretariat General’s website.
- Prepare documents: While the full list is not final, you will likely need:
- A valid passport
- A travel itinerary
- Proof of accommodation (like hotel bookings)
- Proof of enough money for your stay
- A return ticket
- Wait for the official portal: The application will be online, but the website and launch date are not yet announced.
- Check for changes if you have a pending visa: If you have already applied for a visa to one of the GCC countries, keep an eye on updates. The new system may affect your application or offer you new options.
- Travel industry professionals: Start planning for new tour packages and services that include multiple GCC countries.
Implications for Pending Applications
If you have already applied for a visa to one of the GCC countries, your application will be processed under the current rules until the unified visa is launched. Once the new system is live, you may have the option to switch to the unified visa or continue with your single-country visa. Officials have not yet said how they will handle pending applications during the transition, so it is important to follow updates from the relevant government websites.
Key Features and How the Visa Will Work
The GCC unified tourist visa is designed to make travel easier and more attractive for visitors. Here’s how it is expected to work:
- One visa, six countries: You apply once and can visit any or all GCC countries during your trip.
- Flexible entry: You can enter and leave the countries as many times as you want while your visa is valid.
- Digital process: The application will be online, making it faster and more convenient.
- Affordable fees: The cost will be set to encourage more visitors, but the exact amount will be announced later.
- Simple requirements: The documents needed will be similar to those for other tourist visas, but final details are still pending.
Step-by-Step Application Process (Expected)
While the official process will be announced closer to the launch, here is what travelers can expect based on current information:
- Access the official online portal: The GCC will launch a single website where you can apply for the visa.
- Fill out the application: Enter your personal details, travel plans, and choose whether you want a visa for all six countries or just one.
- Upload documents: Attach your passport, proof of where you will stay, proof of enough money, and a return ticket.
- Pay the visa fee: Make the payment online. The fee amount will be announced before the launch.
- Receive your e-visa: If approved, you will get an electronic visa that you can print or keep on your phone.
- Travel freely: Once you have the visa, you can enter any GCC country and move between them without extra border checks.
Why the GCC Unified Tourist Visa Matters
This new visa is a big step for the Gulf region. Here’s why it is important:
- Boosts tourism: The GCC countries welcomed 68.1 million visitors in 2023, earning over $110 billion from tourism. The new visa is expected to help the region reach 128.7 million visitors by 2030.
- Creates jobs: In the UAE alone, tourism supported 833,000 jobs in 2024, with a goal of 1 million jobs by 2030.
- Encourages longer stays: With one visa, travelers are more likely to visit several countries and stay longer, which helps local businesses.
- Makes travel easier: The visa removes the need to apply for separate visas, saving time and money.
- Supports economic growth: By making the region more attractive to visitors, the visa helps the Gulf countries diversify their economies beyond oil.
Statements from Officials and Experts
- UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said the visa will attract more international tourists and show off the region’s diversity.
- Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism, Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrooq, pointed out that the visa is part of a larger plan to grow the region’s economy and make it easier for people to visit.
- Tourism industry leaders support the move, saying it will help the Gulf compete with other top travel destinations.
What’s Next: Future Developments and Outlook
- Technical preparations: The six countries are working to connect their border and visa systems so travelers can move easily between them.
- Possible expansion: In the future, the visa could cover more types of travel, like business or medical visits, and might be open to more nationalities.
- Official announcements: The final rules, fees, and the website for applications will be shared in the coming months, before the end-of-2025 launch.
Comparison with the Schengen Visa
The GCC unified tourist visa is similar to the Schengen visa in Europe. The Schengen visa lets travelers visit many European countries with one visa. The GCC visa will do the same for the Gulf region, making it easier for people to explore different cultures, cities, and attractions without extra paperwork.
Practical Tips for Travelers
- Plan ahead: If you want to visit the Gulf region in late 2025 or 2026, wait for the unified visa to launch. It will save you time and money.
- Stay informed: Check official government websites for the latest updates. The visa rules and application process may change as the launch date gets closer.
- Work with trusted travel agents: If you use a travel agency, make sure they know about the new visa and can help you with the application.
- Keep your documents ready: Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months, and keep copies of your travel plans and bookings.
Impact on the Region and the World
The GCC unified tourist visa is expected to change how people see and visit the Gulf. By making travel easier, the region hopes to attract more tourists, create more jobs, and show the world its rich history and modern attractions. The visa also supports the Gulf’s goal to become a top global travel destination, competing with places like Europe and Southeast Asia.
For Travel Industry Professionals
Tour operators, hotels, and airlines should prepare for more demand and new types of travelers. Multi-country tours will become more popular, and businesses should work together to offer packages that include several GCC countries. The visa will also make it easier to market the region as a single, exciting destination.
For People with Pending or Planned Travel
If you have already applied for a visa to one of the GCC countries, your application will be handled under the current rules until the new system starts. Once the unified visa is available, you may have new options for travel. Stay in touch with the embassy or consulate where you applied, and check for updates on official websites.
Where to Find Official Information
For the latest news and updates, visit the GCC Secretariat General’s website and the official pages of each country’s Ministry of Interior or tourism authority. These sites will have the most accurate and up-to-date information about the visa, application process, and any changes to travel rules.
Summary and Next Steps
- The GCC unified tourist visa is approved and will launch by the end of 2025.
- It will let travelers visit all six GCC countries with one visa, making travel easier and more affordable.
- The application process will be online, with details to be announced soon.
- The visa is expected to boost tourism, create jobs, and help the Gulf region grow as a global destination.
- Travelers, businesses, and people with pending applications should watch for official updates and prepare for the new system.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this new visa is a major step for the Gulf region, promising easier travel, stronger economies, and a more connected future for both visitors and the people of the GCC. Stay tuned to official government channels for the latest updates as the rollout approaches.
Learn Today
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) → A regional political and economic alliance of six Gulf countries promoting cooperation and integration.
Unified tourist visa → A single visa allowing travel across multiple countries without additional visa requirements.
Schengen visa → A European visa enabling travel across 26 countries with one permit, inspiring the GCC system.
Multiple entries → Permission to enter and leave countries multiple times within visa validity without reapplying.
Online application → A digital process allowing visa applicants to apply through a centralized website.
This Article in a Nutshell
The GCC unified tourist visa launches by late 2025, enabling travel across six Gulf countries with one visa. It simplifies tourism, promotes longer stays, and boosts regional economies. With an online application, multiple entries, and reasonable fees, it revolutionizes Gulf travel much like Europe’s Schengen visa.
— By VisaVerge.com
