GCC Unified Tourist Visa: Everything you need to know
Say goodbye to visa juggling. The GCC Unified Tourist Visa is officially on the horizon – and it's set to make hopping across your favourite Gulf destinations smoother than ever.
In a recent announcement, GCC Secretary General Jassem Al Budaiwi confirmed that the long-anticipated single-entry visa for the Gulf is moving ahead, with all six member states actively working to bring it to life.
The GCC Unified Tourist Visa, which will officially be named 'GCC Grand Tours', will allow freedom of movement between residents in six countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait.
As visa-free travel is possible for citizens of GCC countries, it's thought that the new visa will apply to the millions of non-nationals living in the region. This will also allow tourists to spend more than 30 days in the GCC.
Plans for the new GCC Unified Tourist Visa were officially approved late in 2023 following a unanimous vote by ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council at a meeting in Oman.
The visa is aimed at encouraging tourism within the region and growing each nation's tourist economy.
Current rules for intra-regional GCC travel from the UAE
UAE citizens do not need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia and can stay for up to 90 days but people just living in UAE do require a visa.
In Bahrain, it's a similar story as UAE natives don't require a visa to enter but passport holders of other countries who reside in the UAE need either an eVisa or a Bahrain on-arrival visa.
Credit: Supplied
Oman is open to UAE citizens without the need for a visa but residents in the GCC currently need to be on a list of approved professions or be accompanied by someone who is in order to get an unsponsored visa.
Citizens of GCC countries can enter Kuwait without a visa by presenting a valid GCC ID card but those who are non-nationals will need an eVisa or visa-on-arrival.
Qatar allows citizens of more than 100 countries to enter visa-free including those from the UAE. Lengths of stay vary and conditions will be different depending on your nationality.
And, people travelling to the UAE from other GCC countries are allowed entry for a period of no longer than 30 days, which can only be extended once with an eVisa.
When the date for the new unified tourist visa is confirmed, we'll have all the details you need to know to prepare yourself.
What do you need for a GCC Unified Tourist Visa?
Officials also say the visa will offer better value – meaning fewer application fees and a simplified process.
Likely documents you'll need:
While exact requirements may differ depending on your nationality, here's a general idea of what to prepare:
A valid passport (with at least six months left)
Online application form
Recent passport photo
Hotel bookings or an invitation letter
Travel insurance with medical coverage
Proof of funds (like a bank statement)
Return or onward travel ticket
How to apply
Once launched, the visa application process is expected to go fully digital. Here's how it'll likely work:
Visit the official visa portal (to be announced) Choose between single or multi-country access Upload documents and travel details Pay the visa fee securely online Receive your e-visa via email
No queues. No embassies. No paperwork chaos.
It has previously been hinted by the UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri that the visa will apply to residents within the GCC rather than just passport holders.
In November 2023 he said: 'Hopefully, we are going to see something around a pan-GCC visa which will allow easier mobility of people within the GCC.
'A resident of Saudi, for instance, can enter the UAE and vice versa. I think that's where we see the future of GCC tourism.'
This would be yet another addition to the list of things you can do with your Emirates ID.
What will the GCC Unified Tourist Visa mean for UAE?
While the UAE is arguably the best prepared of the six GCC nations to welcome large swathes of tourists, the country is going to make some changes to make travelling easier.
For visitors to the UAE, the Emirates Tourism Council say they are working on a tourist route within the country which will interconnect the seven emirates.
Infrastructure projects such as the Etihad Rail passenger train should make travel around the UAE easier (Credit: WAM)
The new Etihad Rail passenger train set to start operations between Abu Dhabi and Dubai later this year should also make travel around the country much easier.
New major roads around Dubai, the UAE's most populated city, will eventually make things easier too.
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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is on the cusp of a transformative change in regional tourism. The GCC Unified Tourist Visa, often referred to as the GCC Grand Tours Visa, is set to launch by the end of 2025, promising seamless travel across six nations: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. This single-entry visa will allow tourists to explore the diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures and modern marvels of the Gulf region without the hassle of multiple visa applications. For Dubai, a global tourism powerhouse, this development signals a new era of opportunity, connectivity and growth. For UAE businesses, particularly those in Dubai's thriving tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors, the visa is a game-changer. It positions the emirate as a potential gateway for millions of visitors exploring the GCC, driving footfall to hotels, restaurants, malls and attractions. 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