Key Points
- One visa to cover six GCC countries
- Launch expected late 2025 after final clearance
- Digital application portal under development
- Aimed at boosting tourism and regional economy
ISLAMABAD: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has approved the launch of a Schengen-style unified tourist visa that will allow travellers to visit all six member states — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain — under a single permit, regional media reported.
Gulf News reported that the initiative, formally known as the GCC Unified Tourist Visa, was endorsed by the interior ministers of the six states in a high-level meeting in Oman. The permit is designed to function like Europe’s Schengen visa, enabling cross-border travel within the bloc without separate applications for each destination.
According to Euronews, the new visa will be issued digitally through a unified portal and is expected to be valid for short-term stays ranging between 30 and 90 days. Officials stated the rollout is scheduled for late 2025, subject to final regulatory and technical preparations.
Arab News noted that Saudi Arabia is expected to benefit significantly from the scheme, which is part of the GCC’s broader strategy to strengthen tourism flows and economic integration. Industry analysts told the outlet that the unified permit would encourage longer regional stays and multi-country travel packages.
Swift Passport Services, a US-based consultancy, reported that details on eligibility, fees, and nationality coverage are still under review, with the framework currently in the final phase of approval. Officials have clarified that the visa will be restricted to tourism and family visits, and will not extend to residency or employment purposes.
The unified travel permit, branded by some outlets as “GCC Grand Tours,” marks the bloc’s most ambitious step yet in creating a seamless tourism corridor across the Gulf.
