Unified GCC Tourist Visa to Be Implemented Soon3 July 2025

3 July 2025
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has announced that member states have begun taking practical steps to implement the long-awaited Unified Tourist Visa, a project aimed at facilitating regional travel and strengthening the Gulf’s tourism industry.

Joint technical efforts for shared tourism infrastructure
Through ongoing technical meetings, passport authorities and interior ministries across GCC countries are working to establish the legal and technical frameworks required to issue a single visa for all six member states. This initiative seeks to promote regional integration and improve the ease of access for international tourists.

One visa to visit all six Gulf countries
Under this scheme, foreign travelers will be able to visit Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait using just one unified visa, similar to the Schengen model in Europe. This move is expected to enhance intra-regional mobility and position the Gulf as a seamless tourist destination.

Timeline and strategic objectives
The unified visa system is expected to launch in the near future, potentially driving millions of tourist arrivals, boosting non-oil revenues, and reinforcing the Gulf’s image as a cohesive, world-class tourism hub.