How a new Schengen-style visa will change travel in the Gulf region

First Post

3 days ago

Travelling across the Gulf is about to get a lot easier. A new Schengen-style Unified Tourist Visa will soon let visitors explore Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait on a single permit. Expected to launch by late 2025, the visa aims to streamline tourism and boost regional economies read more
The Gulf, specifically refers to the countries surrounding the Persian Gulf, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). All of these except Iraq are also members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Representational Image/Pixabay
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is preparing to launch a new Unified Tourist Visa that will allow international travellers to visit multiple Gulf countries on a single entry permit.
Known interchangeably as the GCC Grand Tours Visa or the Unified GCC Tourist Visa, the initiative has already received official approval and is currently under implementation.
The visa system, which draws comparisons with Europe's Schengen visa, is expected to be operational by late 2025 or early 2026, according to GCC and member state officials.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Once introduced, the new visa regime will apply to all six GCC member nations — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman — enabling eligible foreign nationals to move freely between these countries for short-term visits.
What we know about the Unified GCC Tourist Visa
The new system will offer two options: one for travel to a single GCC country and another that permits access to multiple member states.
While further specifics on visa fees and validity are yet to be announced, officials have indicated that the permit is expected to be valid for a period ranging from 30 to 90 days, depending on the traveller's itinerary and visa type.
Once operational, the visa application process will be conducted entirely through a centralised online platform, accessible to eligible travellers worldwide.
Users will be required to submit personal information, travel dates and intended destinations across the Gulf.
Applicants will have to choose whether they want a visa for one GCC country or for multiple member states.
In addition to filling out an online form, applicants will need to upload a number of supporting documents. These are expected to include:
A valid passport
A recent passport-style photograph, likely with a white background
Proof of accommodation, such as hotel reservations or an invitation letter from a host
Comprehensive travel insurance that is valid across all six GCC countries
A recent bank statement demonstrating the applicant's financial capacity
A confirmed return or onward flight ticket, indicating departure from the GCC
After submission, applicants will be required to pay the visa fee online via a secure payment gateway using a debit or credit card.
While the exact visa fee has not yet been announced, officials have stated that the unified option will be more affordable than applying for six individual visas.
Once approved, the visa will be issued electronically via email.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Travellers are advised to carry a printed copy throughout their journey, as it may be requested during border checks or by immigration authorities during inter-GCC travel.
The Unified Tourist Visa is designed exclusively for tourism, short-term stays, and family visits.
It will not permit employment or long-term residence, which will continue to be governed by the respective immigration policies of each member state.
The GCC Secretary General Jassem Al Budaiwi, in a public statement, described the initiative as an essential step in regional development, noting, 'The unified visa reflects the vision of our leaders to strengthen integration and cooperation.'
Why the Unified GCC Tourist Visa matters
The introduction of a multi-country visa system is expected to significantly improve travel flexibility and enhance the overall visitor experience in the Gulf.
According to GCC authorities and tourism officials, the visa is expected to ease the administrative burden for travellers, encourage longer itineraries, and stimulate broader movement between countries.
It is also poised to support the growth of key economic sectors, including hospitality, aviation, ground transport, and retail.
The new visa is part of the GCC's wider tourism development agenda. In 2023, the Gulf region saw 68.1 million tourist arrivals, marking a 42.8 per cent increase over pre-pandemic levels and generating more than $110 billion in tourism revenue.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Destinations like Dubai, which recorded over 7.1 million visitors between January and April this year, are expected to benefit even more from the spillover effect, as travellers use Dubai as an entry point before moving on to explore cities such as Doha, Muscat or Riyadh.
Another important dimension of this initiative is the promotion of 'bleisure' travel — a growing trend that combines business and leisure.
Business travellers coming to the region for work-related purposes may now find it easier to extend their stay for personal travel across neighbouring GCC countries, thereby contributing further to the local economies.
In addition to tourism, the unified visa is expected to drive job creation and investment across multiple sectors.
In the UAE alone, the travel and tourism industry supported 833,000 jobs in 2024, and according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), this number is projected to grow to 1 million jobs by 2030.
Speaking during a press event, UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri confirmed the visa's approval, stating, 'The single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and waiting now to be implemented, hopefully, soon.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
With inputs from agencies