The long-anticipated GCC Tourist Visa, officially approved in late 2023, is now entering its final rollout stage. Designed to function like Europe’s Schengen visa, this unified permit will allow travelers to visit all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states—UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait—on a single visa.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to boost regional connectivity and tourism within the Gulf.
Launch Expected by Late 2025
Authorities across the GCC have confirmed that the technical and legal framework for the visa is complete.
Coordination meetings between immigration and security teams are ongoing, with the launch projected for the end of 2025. While some reports suggest potential procedural delays in a few member states, implementation is still on track, with early 2026 being the latest expected window if final adjustments take longer than anticipated.
A Fully Digital Experience
Travelers will benefit from a streamlined digital application system. The entire visa process—from document submission to payment and visa delivery—will be conducted online. Tourists can apply for single or multi-country visits ranging from 30 to 90 days. The visa will primarily cater to leisure travelers and those visiting family and friends across the GCC.
Boosting Tourism and Regional Integration
The unified visa is expected to revolutionize Gulf tourism by simplifying cross-border travel and encouraging longer, multi-country trips. Officials aim to promote “bleisure” tourism, where business travelers extend their stay for leisure across neighboring states. In 2023 alone, the GCC received over 68 million tourists—this figure is projected to increase significantly once the new visa system is in place.
Strategic Economic Impact
Beyond tourism, the unified visa supports wider economic goals. It is a key part of the GCC’s efforts to diversify income away from oil by strengthening sectors like hospitality, transport, culture, and retail. The visa also helps position the GCC as a more cohesive and globally competitive tourism region, encouraging collaboration between its members.
What Travelers Should Expect Next
While the visa has not yet launched, officials urge prospective travelers to stay tuned for the official online portal, which is expected to go live in the coming months. The new system will allow tourists to plan trips across multiple Gulf destinations with a single application—offering a new era of convenience, mobility, and regional exploration in the Middle East.