A new era of regional travel is on the horizon as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) prepares to introduce a unified tourism visa, Secretary General Jassem Al Budaiwi announced on Wednesday.
Al Budaiwi praised the joint efforts of all six member states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — in advancing this transformative initiative, which is expected to significantly enhance tourism and mobility across the Gulf, according to news agencies.
Once implemented, the GCC Grand Tours Visa will allow travelers to visit all six GCC countries with a single application — making border-crossing within the Gulf as seamless as booking a single trip.
“The unified visa reflects the vision of our leaders to deepen integration and cooperation,” Al Budaiwi said. “It aligns with broader efforts to modernize the region’s travel infrastructure and stimulate economic development through tourism.”
He also emphasized that the system will incorporate the latest digital technologies and meet evolving global security standards.
The unified visa plan was officially approved during the 40th GCC Interior Ministers’ Meeting held in Oman in November 2023. Often compared to the European Schengen visa, the initiative is a strategic move to boost intra-Gulf tourism, attract international visitors, and support regional economic diversification goals.
While full details are still being finalized, here’s what the GCC Grand Tours Visa is expected to offer –single visa access to all six GCC nations, online-only application process, tourism and family visit purposes, expected validity between 30 to 90 days, flexible options for single-country or multi-country entry and lower cost than applying for six individual visas.
Applicants will likely need the following — valid passport (minimum 6 months validity); completed online application form; recent passport-sized photo; proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter); travel insurance (including medical coverage), proof of sufficient funds and return or onward travel ticket.
The application process is expected to be simple and fully digital — visit the official visa portal (to be announced), choose visa type: single-country or unified multi-country, fill in travel details and upload required documents, pay visa fee online, receive your e-visa via email and present the printed or digital copy during travel.
The GCC Secretariat expressed its appreciation for all stakeholders involved in bringing the unified visa plan closer to implementation, underscoring its potential to reshape regional tourism and elevate the Gulf’s global appeal.
