The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprising the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait plans to roll out a unified tourist visa by late 2025. This “Schengen-style” permit will allow travelers to visit all six Gulf states under one visa, mirroring Europe’s single-visa system for multi-country travel.
Later in 2025, foreign tourists will be able to roam across six Gulf nations under a single visa, as the GCC introduces a unified “Schengen-style” travel permit. UAE officials have confirmed that a pilot phase of the GCC Unified Tourist Visa, informally dubbed the “GCC Grand Tours” visa, will launch in the fourth quarter of 2025, with full implementation to follow after initial trials. The new visa, modeled after Europe’s Schengen visa, enables seamless travel across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait on a single permit.
TL;DR – GCC Unified Tourist Visa
- Pilot launch: Q4 2025, full rollout to follow
- Covers UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait
- Single digital application portal, e-visa format
- Expected validity: 30–90 days, multiple entries
- Goal: boost tourism, regional integration, multi-country trips
Jump to: Visa Initiative • Boost Tourism • Why It Matters • Looking Ahead • FAQ
More on News:
A Unified Gulf Visa Initiative Takes Shape
Leaders across the GCC have hailed the unified visa as a milestone in regional integration. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy and Tourism, described the visa as “a strategic step towards deeper regional integration” that will enhance the Gulf’s appeal as a single tourism destination.
GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi also confirmed the visa is in its final approval phase, with a digital application platform in the works to make applying straightforward for travelers. While an exact launch date hasn’t been announced yet, officials stress that full rollout will come after coordination among interior ministries and relevant stakeholders to iron out technical and security details.
Importantly, this unified visa is targeted at foreign visitors and expatriate residents, since GCC citizens already enjoy visa-free travel within the region. By replacing multiple country-specific visas with one GCC-wide permit, the system is expected to simplify visa processes, potentially offering longer validity and lower overall cost compared to obtaining six separate visas.
Travelers will likely apply online through a single portal; Al-Budaiwi indicated that visa applications will be handled via a digital platform, aligning with modern e-visa practices across the region. Early reports suggest the visa may come with options for either single-country entry or an all-six-country pass, with validity ranging from 30 to 90 days, though final details are still being finalized.
Boost to Tourism and Regional Economy
The introduction of a unified Gulf visa is widely seen as a game-changer for tourism in the Middle East. Industry experts predict it will significantly boost tourist arrivals and make the entire Gulf region more attractive as a multi-destination trip.
All six member countries are expected to benefit, though tourism analysts anticipate Dubai and the UAE, as well as Saudi Arabia, will draw the largest share of additional visitors given their established attractions and travel infrastructure. The visa initiative is part of a broader strategy to position the GCC as a unified travel hub, encouraging travelers to include multiple Gulf countries in one itinerary rather than visiting just a single destination.
Officials and travel executives say the policy could stimulate both religious tourism (for example, making it easier for pilgrims and visitors to Saudi Arabia’s holy sites to also tour neighboring countries) and “bleisure” tourism – combined business and leisure trips – across the Gulf. By easing cross-border movement, the scheme is expected to spur growth in airlines, hotels, retail, and other service sectors.
Thousands of new jobs could be created as tourism and related industries expand, contributing substantially to the region’s GDP. In the UAE alone, tourism is already booming – the number of tourism-related business licenses jumped 275% between 2020 and 2025 – and a unified visa is poised to further accelerate this growth across all GCC states.
Tourism authorities are also working on complementary infrastructure improvements. For instance, the UAE is developing the Etihad Rail passenger network (targeted for 2026) to connect its emirates.
Initiatives like this rail link, alongside the unified visa, would make intra-GCC travel more accessible and appealing, enabling visitors to easily hop between cities like Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, and Muscat in one trip. “Turning the Gulf into a multi-destination hotspot” is a key goal, with the visa seen as a catalyst for travelers to experience the region’s diverse mix of ultramodern cities, cultural heritage sites, and natural landscapes under a single travel plan.
Why It Matters for Travelers
For international travelers, the GCC’s unified visa promises major convenience and flexibility. Here’s why this development is significant for visitors:
- One Visa, Six Countries: The unified visa eliminates the need for multiple separate visas when visiting several Gulf countries, streamlining travel planning for multi-country itineraries. Tourists can explore the UAE’s cities, Oman’s mountains, Saudi Arabia’s heritage sites, Qatar’s museums, and more, all on one permit.
- Simplified Application: A single digital application portal will handle the unified visa process, meaning travelers won’t have to navigate different embassies or websites for each nation. This consolidated paperwork reduces administrative hurdles and saves time.
- Cost and Time Savings: Obtaining one GCC-wide visa could be more cost-effective than paying for up to six separate visas (one per country) – a potential money saver pending final fee structures. It also cuts down on paperwork and documentation redundancy.
- Flexible Travel & Longer Stays: The new visa is expected to allow multiple entries across the region with a generous validity (reportedly 30–90 days), letting visitors stay longer and roam freely without worrying about re-applying for each border crossing. This flexibility encourages adding extra stops to a Gulf trip.
- Seamless Gulf Experiences: By standardizing entry rules, the visa makes it easy to combine destinations into one journey – for example, flying into Dubai, then visiting Muscat and Doha on the same trip. Travelers can experience a wider array of Gulf cultures, cuisines, and attractions in one go, enhancing the overall travel experience of the region.
Looking Ahead
Travelers and tour operators are eagerly awaiting further details as the GCC unified visa moves from approval to implementation. Key particulars such as visa fees, application requirements, and exact launch dates have yet to be announced, but officials advise prospective visitors to stay tuned for official updates in the coming months. The pilot phase in late 2025 will likely reveal how the system works in practice, followed by refinements before a full public rollout.
If successful, this Schengen-style Gulf visa could mark a new era of travel in the Middle East – one that makes visiting the Gulf Cooperation Council countries as convenient as touring across Europe. By simplifying entry procedures and unifying the region as a single tourism zone, the GCC aims to attract more global travelers and encourage them to discover the rich tapestry of experiences spread across the Arabian Gulf.
In short, the unified visa initiative is poised to open up the Gulf like never before, offering visitors easier access to the six nations and reinforcing the notion of the GCC as a must-visit integrated destination.
FAQ
When will the GCC unified tourist visa launch?
A pilot is expected in Q4 2025, with full rollout to follow.
Which countries will it cover?
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
How will travelers apply?
Through a single digital portal, modeled after modern e-visa systems.
What will the validity be?
Reports suggest 30–90 days with multi-entry options, though final details pending.
Why is this significant?
It simplifies travel, boosts tourism, and positions the GCC as a unified regional destination.
Sources:
- Middle East’s Schengen style GCC tourist visa set for launch this year - The Economic Times
- Pilot launch of Unified GCC Tourist Visa this year - Oman Observer;
- Unified GCC tourist visa set for pilot launch in Q4 2025, says Al Marri - Economy Middle East