Key Takeaways
• GCC approved a unified tourist visa on June 16, 2025, for UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.
• Visa will allow travel across six GCC countries with one visa, valid 30 to 90 days, launching by end 2025.
• Expected to boost tourism to 128.7 million visitors by 2030, easing business travel and regional integration.
On June 16, 2025, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪 (UAE), Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, Bahrain 🇧🇭, Qatar 🇶🇦, Oman 🇴🇲, and Kuwait 🇰🇼—took a major step toward transforming travel in the Gulf region. All six member states formally approved a unified tourist visa that will allow visitors to move freely between these countries with just one visa. The announcement, made by UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, marks a new era for tourism, business, and regional cooperation in the Gulf.
The unified tourist visa is now in the hands of each country’s Ministry of Interior and other key agencies for final technical and security preparations. Officials say the visa will be launched before the end of 2025, with the exact date to be announced soon. The move is expected to boost tourism, make business travel easier, and strengthen economic ties across the region.
What Is the Unified Tourist Visa?
The unified tourist visa is a single entry permit that will let travelers visit all six GCC countries without needing to apply for separate visas for each country. This system is modeled on the European Schengen visa, which allows people to travel across many European countries with just one visa.
Key features of the unified tourist visa:
- Covers six countries: UAE 🇦🇪, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, Bahrain 🇧🇭, Qatar 🇶🇦, Oman 🇴🇲, and Kuwait 🇰🇼
- Expected validity: 30 to 90 days, suitable for both short trips and longer tours
- Single application: One online application process for all six countries
- Lower cost: About ₹8,500 (roughly $100–$110 USD), much less than applying for six separate visas
- Seamless travel: Move freely between member countries during your stay
Why Is This Happening Now?
The idea for a unified tourist visa has been discussed for years, but it gained real momentum in October 2023 when all GCC countries agreed to move forward. The goal is to make the Gulf region more attractive to tourists and business travelers, boost economic growth, and encourage cultural exchange.
At the 164th GCC Ministerial Council meeting in Kuwait in June 2025, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to launching the visa by the end of the year. According to UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, “The single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and waiting now to be implemented, hopefully, soon. Now it is with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant stakeholders and they should look into it.”
How Will the Unified Tourist Visa Work?
While the official application process has not been published yet, officials have shared that the system will be similar to the Schengen visa in Europe. Here’s what travelers can expect:
Step-by-Step Application Process (Anticipated)
- Online Application: Travelers will apply through a unified online portal (to be announced by the GCC).
- Required Documents:
- Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- Proof of travel insurance
- Proof of sufficient funds for the trip
- Hotel bookings or an invitation letter from a host
- Return or onward travel ticket
- Central Processing: Applications will be reviewed and security-checked by all six member states.
- Visa Issuance: Approved travelers will receive a single visa that allows entry into all six countries.
- Travel and Stay: Visa holders can move freely between the GCC countries for the duration of their visa (expected to be 30–90 days).
Note: The final details, including the official application portal and exact requirements, will be announced closer to the launch date. For the latest updates, travelers should check the official UAE government visa portal.
Who Benefits from the Unified Tourist Visa?
Tourists
Travelers will be able to explore the rich history, modern cities, and natural beauty of six Gulf countries with just one visa. This makes planning multi-country trips much easier and more affordable. For example, a tourist could start in Dubai 🇦🇪, visit the ancient forts of Oman 🇴🇲, see the museums in Qatar 🇶🇦, and end with shopping in Kuwait 🇰🇼—all on a single trip.
Business Travelers
The unified tourist visa will make it much easier for businesspeople to attend meetings, conferences, or manage projects across the region. Companies in sectors like energy, construction, and logistics will save time and money, as they won’t need to apply for multiple visas for their teams.
The Tourism Industry
Hotels, airlines, tour operators, and other businesses expect a big boost. The GCC region aims to attract 128.7 million tourists by 2030, up from current levels. More visitors mean more jobs in tourism, hospitality, and transportation, as well as more investment in new attractions and infrastructure.
Governments
Officials see the unified visa as a way to promote regional integration, economic diversification, and cultural exchange. By making travel easier, the GCC countries hope to compete with other global tourist destinations and strengthen their economies.
What Are the Main Challenges?
While the unified tourist visa has been approved, there are still some technical and security issues to resolve before it can be launched.
Security and Administration
Each country needs to agree on common security checks and visa controls. This is especially important for travelers from certain regions that may require extra vetting. Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism, Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrooq, confirmed that discussions are ongoing about how to handle these cases, but all countries remain committed to the project.
Technical Coordination
The visa system requires new IT systems and databases that can be shared securely among all six countries. This technical work is in its final stages, according to officials.
Policy Alignment
The GCC countries must agree on the rules for who can get the visa, how long they can stay, and what activities are allowed. These details are being finalized to ensure a smooth rollout.
What Does This Mean for Travelers?
For most travelers, the unified tourist visa will make visiting the Gulf region much simpler and more affordable. Instead of applying for separate visas for each country, paying multiple fees, and dealing with different rules, visitors will have a single, clear process.
Key benefits include:
- Lower costs: One visa fee instead of six
- Less paperwork: One application, one set of documents
- More flexibility: Travel freely between countries during your stay
- Longer trips: Stay up to 90 days, enough time to explore the region
However, travelers should be aware that the visa is not yet available. The official launch is expected by the end of 2025. Until then, visitors must continue to apply for individual visas for each GCC country.
Economic and Social Impact
The unified tourist visa is expected to have a big impact on the Gulf region’s economy and society.
Boosting Tourism
With easier travel, the GCC expects to see a sharp rise in tourist arrivals. The goal is to reach 128.7 million tourists by 2030. This will create new jobs in hotels, restaurants, transportation, and tour companies.
Encouraging Investment
Easier travel will also attract more business investment. Companies will find it simpler to set up regional offices, manage projects, and move staff between countries.
Promoting Cultural Exchange
The visa will help people from different countries and cultures meet and learn from each other. This can lead to better understanding and stronger friendships between the Gulf countries and the rest of the world.
Strengthening Regional Ties
By working together on the unified visa, the GCC countries are showing their commitment to regional cooperation and integration. This could lead to more joint projects in the future, not just in tourism but also in areas like education, health, and technology.
What Are the Next Steps?
Final Preparations
The visa is now in the final stage of preparation. The Ministries of Interior and other agencies in each country are working on the last technical and security details. Officials say the visa will be launched “soon,” with the target date set for late 2025.
Monitoring Updates
Travelers and businesses should keep an eye on official government websites for the latest news. The GCC official website and national portals like the UAE’s visa page will have the most up-to-date information.
Possible Expansion
In the future, the unified visa could be expanded to include other types of visas, such as business, medical, or student visas. There is also talk of possibly including more countries in the system, making the Gulf region even more connected.
Voices from the Region
Government Leaders
GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi said the goal is to “finalize and activate the visa by the end of 2025.” Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya called recent discussions “constructive” and said the visa will help bring the region closer together.
Tourism Industry
Tourism leaders have called the unified visa a “landmark step” that will make the Gulf a top global destination. Hotels and airlines are already preparing for a surge in visitors once the visa is launched.
Business Community
Corporate travel planners say the visa will save time and money, especially for companies with projects in more than one GCC country. The energy, infrastructure, and logistics sectors are expected to benefit the most.
Security Officials
Some officials, especially in Oman, have stressed the need for careful vetting of applicants from certain regions. This is one reason why the rollout has taken time, as all countries want to ensure the safety and security of their citizens and visitors.
Background: How Did We Get Here?
The idea of a unified tourist visa for the GCC has been around for years. The project gained real momentum in October 2023, when all six countries agreed to move forward. Since then, there have been many meetings and discussions to work out the technical, security, and policy details.
The visa is modeled on the European Schengen system, which has been very successful in making travel easier across Europe. The GCC hopes to achieve similar results, making the Gulf region more open and attractive to the world.
What Should Travelers Do Now?
- Stay informed: Check official government websites for updates on the visa launch.
- Prepare documents: Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months and gather other required documents.
- Plan ahead: If you’re planning a trip to the Gulf region in late 2025 or beyond, consider waiting for the unified visa to become available.
- Contact authorities: For specific questions, reach out to the Ministries of Interior or tourism boards in the country you plan to visit.
Summary Table: Key Facts on the GCC Unified Tourist Visa
| Feature | Details (as of June 2025) |
|---|---|
| Status | Formally approved, awaiting implementation |
| Launch Target | By end of 2025 |
| Member Countries | UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait |
| Visa Validity | Expected 30–90 days |
| Application Process | Online (anticipated) |
| Cost | Approx. ₹8,500 (~$100–$110 USD) |
| Documents Required | Passport, photo, insurance, funds, hotel/invite, ticket |
| Economic Impact | 128.7 million tourists projected by 2030 |
| Key Stakeholders | GCC Ministries of Interior, Tourism, Economy |
| Official Statements | UAE, Oman, Kuwait, GCC Secretary-General |
| Monitoring Updates | GCC, UAE, and national government portals |
Conclusion: A New Era for Gulf Travel
The unified tourist visa for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries is set to change the way people visit and do business in the region. With formal approval secured and a launch expected by the end of 2025, travelers will soon be able to explore six dynamic countries with a single visa. This will make travel easier, boost tourism and business, and bring the region closer together.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the unified visa is a “transformative step” for the Gulf, opening the door to new opportunities for visitors, businesses, and local communities. For now, travelers should watch for official updates and get ready for a simpler, more connected Gulf experience.
For more information and the latest updates, visit the official UAE government visa portal.
Learn Today
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) → A political and economic alliance of six Gulf countries promoting regional cooperation and development.
Unified tourist visa → A single visa allowing entry and travel across all six GCC countries without separate applications.
Schengen visa → European visa system allowing free movement across multiple European countries with just one visa.
Ministry of Interior → Government department responsible for immigration, security, and visa processing in each GCC country.
Visa validity → The authorized period a traveler can stay in the countries under the visa, expected 30 to 90 days.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Gulf Cooperation Council approved a unified tourist visa on June 16, 2025. This visa enables seamless travel across six countries with one permit, boosting tourism, business, and economic ties. Launch expected by late 2025, making Gulf visits easier, more affordable, and encouraging regional cooperation among member states.
— By VisaVerge.com
