Key Takeaways
• GCC Tourist Visa approved in June 2025 for travel across six Gulf countries.
• Single visa eliminates multiple applications, modeled after Europe’s Schengen system.
• Launch date, fees, and application details pending; rollout expected soon.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has taken a major step toward transforming travel in the Gulf region. In mid-June 2025, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Minister of Economy, announced that the long-awaited GCC Tourist Visa—often called the “GCC Grand Tours Visa”—has received official approval. This unified visa will allow travelers to visit all six GCC countries (the United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, Bahrain 🇧🇭, Qatar 🇶🇦, Oman 🇴🇲, and Kuwait 🇰🇼) with a single visa, similar to the Schengen visa in Europe. The move is expected to make travel easier, boost tourism, and strengthen economic ties across the region.
While the visa has been approved, the exact launch date, application process, and fees have not yet been announced. The policy is now with the Ministries of Interior and other key authorities for final steps before implementation. Officials say the rollout is expected “soon,” but as of June 18, 2025, travelers are still waiting for full details.
Let’s break down what this means, why it matters, and what travelers, businesses, and governments can expect in the coming months.
What Is the GCC Tourist Visa?
The GCC Tourist Visa is a new, unified visa that will let visitors travel freely between all six GCC countries with just one visa. This is a big change from the current system, where travelers must apply for separate visas for each country, often paying multiple fees and dealing with different paperwork.
Key facts:
– Covers six countries: United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, Bahrain 🇧🇭, Qatar 🇶🇦, Oman 🇴🇲, and Kuwait 🇰🇼
– Single application: One visa covers all member states
– Modeled after Schengen: Similar to the European system, which allows travel across many countries with one visa
– Expected launch: Approved in June 2025, with implementation expected soon
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri explained, “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.”
Why Is This Visa Important?
The new visa is a major step for the Gulf region. Here’s why:
- Simplifies travel: Tourists and business travelers will no longer need to apply for multiple visas, saving time and money.
- Boosts tourism: Easier travel is expected to attract more visitors, helping hotels, airlines, and local businesses.
- Encourages longer stays: With the ability to move between countries, travelers may stay longer and spend more.
- Supports business: Companies with operations in several GCC countries will find it easier to move staff and hold meetings.
- Strengthens regional ties: The visa shows the GCC’s commitment to working together and making the region more connected.
Tourism and business leaders have welcomed the move. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the unified visa is seen as a “landmark step” that could transform the region’s tourism and business landscape.
How Will the GCC Tourist Visa Work?
While the final details are still being worked out, officials say the process will be similar to the Schengen visa in Europe. Here’s what travelers can expect, based on current information:
Step-by-Step Process (Expected)
- Application Submission: Travelers will apply for the GCC Tourist Visa through a central online portal or through national visa centers.
- Required Documents: Applicants will likely need to provide:
- A valid passport
- Travel itinerary (where they plan to go)
- Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings or invitation letters)
- Proof of financial means (bank statements or similar)
- Processing: Authorities will review applications, check security databases, and coordinate between member states.
- Visa Issuance: If approved, the traveler receives a single visa valid for entry into all six GCC countries.
- Travel: The visa holder can enter any GCC country and move freely between them during the visa’s validity.
Note: As of June 18, 2025, the official application portal, fees, and exact requirements have not been published. Travelers should wait for official announcements before making plans.
For updates and official information, travelers can visit the Gulf Cooperation Council Secretariat General website.
Background: How Did We Get Here?
The idea of a unified GCC tourist visa has been discussed for years. The goal has always been to make the region more attractive to tourists and business travelers by removing barriers to movement.
- Late 2023: GCC countries began formal talks and requested feedback from all member states. Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrooq, Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism, confirmed that feedback was sought by December 2023.
- Early 2024: The plan was to launch the visa in late 2024 or early 2025. However, delays occurred due to concerns about security and the need for all countries to coordinate their systems.
- Mid-2025: After overcoming most hurdles, the visa was officially approved in June 2025. The announcement was made at the UAE Hospitality Summer Camp.
The visa is modeled after the Schengen system in Europe, which has been successful in boosting tourism and business across multiple countries.
What Are the Benefits for Tourists?
For travelers, the GCC Tourist Visa promises a much easier and more enjoyable experience. Here’s how:
- One visa, six countries: No need to apply for separate visas for each country.
- Lower costs: Only one set of fees (once announced), saving money for multi-country trips.
- Less paperwork: Fewer forms and documents to prepare.
- Longer, richer trips: Travelers can explore more destinations in one journey, from Dubai’s skyscrapers to Oman’s mountains and Saudi Arabia’s heritage sites.
- Flexible travel: The visa is expected to allow entry through any GCC country and free movement within the region.
Tourism industry leaders expect this will lead to more visitors, longer stays, and more spending in local economies.
What Does This Mean for Business Travelers?
Business travelers stand to gain a lot from the new visa:
- Easier regional operations: Companies can move staff between offices in different GCC countries without dealing with multiple visa applications.
- Faster travel: Less time spent on paperwork means more time for business.
- Lower costs: Companies save on visa fees and administrative expenses.
- More opportunities: Easier travel can help companies find new partners, clients, and markets across the region.
The business community has welcomed the move, seeing it as a way to make the Gulf a more attractive place for investment and regional headquarters.
What Are the Impacts for Governments and Economies?
For governments, the unified visa is expected to:
- Boost economic growth: More tourists and business travelers mean more spending, more jobs, and higher tax revenues.
- Promote regional integration: The visa is a sign of the GCC’s commitment to working together and building a stronger, more connected region.
- Improve global image: The move shows that the Gulf is open for business and tourism, making it more attractive to international visitors.
Officials believe the visa will help the region compete with other global destinations and attract more events, conferences, and tourists.
What Are the Security and Coordination Challenges?
While the benefits are clear, the process has not been simple. Security has been a major concern, with each country needing to make sure that travelers are properly screened and that information is shared quickly between governments.
- Security checks: All applications will be checked against security databases in each country.
- Coordination: Ministries of Interior in all six countries must work together to make sure the system is safe and efficient.
- Delays: These challenges caused earlier delays, but officials now say most issues have been resolved.
Security agencies remain cautious, but the final implementation phase is focused on making sure all concerns are addressed before the visa goes live.
What Details Are Still Pending?
As of June 18, 2025, several important details have not yet been announced:
- Launch date: No official date for when the visa will be available.
- Application process: The exact steps, required documents, and where to apply are still to be published.
- Fees: No information yet on how much the visa will cost.
- Eligibility: It is not yet clear if the visa will be open to all nationalities or if there will be restrictions.
- Processing times: How long it will take to get the visa is still unknown.
Travelers and businesses should keep an eye on official announcements from the GCC and national tourism authorities for the latest updates.
What Are the Next Steps?
The final steps before the visa becomes available include:
- Final coordination: Ministries of Interior and other stakeholders are working out the last details.
- Publication of procedures: Official guidelines, fees, and eligibility rules will be published soon.
- Launch: Once all systems are ready, the visa will be launched and travelers can start applying.
In the long term, the visa is expected to lead to even more cooperation between GCC countries, possibly in areas like labor mobility and trade.
Where Can You Find Official Information?
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, travelers should use official sources:
- GCC Secretariat General: gcc-sg.org
- National tourism websites:
- UAE: visitdubai.com, visitabudhabi.ae
- Saudi Arabia: visitsaudi.com
- Qatar: visitqatar.qa
- Oman: experienceoman.om
- Bahrain: bahrain.com
- Kuwait: kuwait.travel
- Ministries of Interior: Each country’s Ministry of Interior website will have visa and immigration updates.
Common Questions About the GCC Tourist Visa
When will the visa be available?
The visa has been approved and is expected to launch soon, but no specific date has been announced.
How will the application process work?
It is expected to be similar to the Schengen visa, with a central or national portal, but official details are not yet published.
What documents will be needed?
Likely requirements include a passport, travel plans, proof of accommodation, and proof of funds, but the final list will be announced soon.
Will the visa be open to everyone?
Eligibility rules have not been released. More information will be available at launch.
How will security be handled?
Security checks and coordination between countries are a top priority and are being finalized before the visa goes live.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
The GCC Tourist Visa is expected to change the way people travel in the Gulf. By making it easier to visit multiple countries, the visa will help the region attract more tourists and business travelers, boost local economies, and show the world that the GCC is open and welcoming.
Industry experts believe the visa could lead to even more cooperation in the future, making the Gulf a model for regional integration. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the unified visa is “a transformative step for the region, predicting increased visitor numbers and economic benefits.”
Travelers, businesses, and governments are all watching closely for the official launch. Once the visa is available, it will mark a new era for travel and cooperation in the Gulf.
Takeaway:
If you’re planning to visit the GCC region, keep checking official sources for updates on the GCC Tourist Visa. Once launched, it will make exploring the Gulf easier, cheaper, and more rewarding than ever before. For now, stay tuned for the official announcement and get ready for a new way to experience the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Learn Today
GCC Tourist Visa → A unified visa allowing travel across six Gulf countries with a single application.
Schengen visa → A visa enabling free travel between European Schengen Area countries under one permit.
Ministries of Interior → Government departments responsible for internal security and immigration policies in GCC countries.
Visa application portal → An online platform where travelers submit their visa requests and required documents.
Regional integration → Cooperation among GCC countries for economic, travel, and political unification benefits.
This Article in a Nutshell
The GCC Tourist Visa unifies travel across six Gulf countries with one visa, simplifying procedures and boosting tourism, business, and economic ties. Approved in June 2025, official launch details remain pending. This visa marks a transformative move for the region’s connectivity and global attractiveness, following the Schengen model.
— By VisaVerge.com
