The Gulf Cooperation Council has officially approved a Schengen-style unified tourist visa covering all six member states. The visa will be rolled out by the end of 2025.
The GCC Grand Tours Visa will allow tourists to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait using a single permit, eliminating the need for separate visa applications to each country. UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri confirmed the visa is in final preparation stages, with interior ministries and relevant authorities across the region completing implementation details.
What are the key features?
The unified visa will offer multiple entries for tourism and family visits, with validity periods ranging from 30 to 90 days. Applications will be processed through an online platform, with costs estimated between $90-130. Travellers can choose between single-country or multi-country access options when applying.
The system mirrors the European Schengen model, allowing free movement across participating nations with one document. The visa targets both leisure travellers and the growing bleisure market, combining business and tourism activities across the Gulf region.
How do you get the visa?
The application process will be entirely online once the official website launches: Choose visa type: single-country or unified multi-entry Complete travel details and upload required documents Pay visa fee securely online ($90-130) Receive approved e-visa via email Present digital or printed copy at airports
Standard documentation requirements include valid passport with six months’ validity, recent passport photos, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, financial means verification and return flight confirmation.
When will it be available?
No specific launch date has been confirmed yet. The GCC reports that the visa will be rolled out by the end of 2025. Interior ministries across the six countries are finalising regulatory frameworks and technical systems.
The initiative represents the Gulf’s most significant collaborative tourism move since individual countries began liberalising visa policies over the past decade, positioning the region as an integrated destination to compete with established multi-country visa schemes globally.
