The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, is set to roll out its long-awaited unified tourist visa, known as the GCC Grand Tours Visa, with a pilot phase expected by the final quarter of 2025.
The system, modelled after Europe’s Schengen visa, will allow travellers to visit all six GCC member states— UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain using a single visa.
According to Jassim Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC, the visa framework has reached its final approval and technical phases.
How to Apply For The GCC Grand Tours Visa
Applications for the visa will be processed through a dedicated digital platform, designed to simplify procedures, improve coordination between member states, and reduce administrative barriers.
UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, who also chairs the Emirates Tourism Council, said the initiative represents a milestone in regional integration and will significantly boost the Gulf’s collective appeal as a global tourism destination.
Features of the GCC Grand Tours Visa
- One visa covering all six GCC countries.
- Streamlined online application process.
- Greater ease of movement for tourists planning multi-country itineraries.
- Stronger regional cooperation on tourism and security.
Originally approved by GCC ministers in 2023, the visa is now entering its implementation stage, beginning with a controlled pilot before a full rollout.
Boost For Intra – Regional Travel
The GCC already benefits from strong intra-regional travel. In 2024, the UAE alone recorded 3.3 million visitors from other GCC states, making up 11% of total hotel guests. The breakdown included:
- Saudi Arabia: 1.9 million (58%)
- Oman: 777,000 (24%)
- Kuwait: 381,000 (12%)
- Bahrain: 123,000 (4%)
- Qatar: 93,000 (3%)
Officials expect the unified visa to further increase cross-border tourism, encourage longer multi-country stays, and strengthen the region’s positioning as one integrated market.
