GCC to Launch Unified Tourist Visa for Six Gulf Nations By Late 2025

Lakshmi

Updated On Oct 8, 2025

GCC to Launch Unified Tourist Visa for Six Gulf Nations By Late 2025

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is all set to introduce a unified tourist visa, which is similar to Europe's Schengen Visa, enabling travellers to explore all member states, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, under a single permit.

According to the UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, this initiative, informally known as the GCC Grand Tours Visa (as of now), is expected to be introduced in late 2025 under a pilot phase before being rolled out fully.

The Emirates Tourism Council confirmed that digital and administrative systems are also being finalised to streamline travel between the participating nations.

Once this visa is implemented, it will permit a 30-day to 90-day stay in the Emirates, and the visa application process will be entirely processed through a digital application platform. This will allow both foreign nationals and GCC residents to move freely across the region without the need of separate entry permits.

This new visa move aims to simplify regional travel, boost tourism, and promote multi-country itineraries, thereby positioning the GCC as a unified tourism destination akin to Europe’s Schengen Zone.

Currently, officials are aligning security, immigration, and data sharing protocols among the six nations to ensure smooth execution. The member states are also coordinating with entry conditions, pricing, and visual recognition standards for the new visa system. Experts further predict that this unified visa will bring substantial economic benefits, fostering growth in aviation, hospitality, and retail sectors, while drawing global travellers to lesser-known Gulf destinations.

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