The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has officially approved the unified GCC Tourist Visa to promote regional tourism and economic integration. This visa is going to be similar to the Europe Schengen visa that lets you travel across many countries in the Schengen area.
Similar to a Schengen visa, this single-entry permit will allow you to travel across all GCC countries – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Now, you don’t need a separate visa to travel in these nations.
Here, we will give you all the essential details related to the GCC tourist visa and its benefits. In addition, we will let you understand how it is going to impact your travel in these nations. So without making delays, let’s get started.
Approval and Implementation
The idea of this visa has been in progress since October last year. However, the GCC Tourist Visa aims to promote economic development in the area by easing travel. Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrooq, Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism, stated that feedback on this visa is needed by December 2025.
As per the Khaleej News, Al Marri (UAE Minister of Economy) said,“ The single GCC Tourist visa has been approved and is waiting for implementation that will hopefully happen soon. Now, it is with the Ministry of Interior and the appropriate stakeholders to look into it. He confirmed it during the UAE hospitality summer camp on June 16, 2025.
As per his statement, this visa is now under review by the Ministry of Interior and some stakeholders. We can expect that the visa will be implemented soon. Remember, this visa will ease travel within the GCC area. Moreover, it will be the source to boost both the economy and regional cooperation.
What Is the GCC Tourist Visa?
This visa will be known as the GCC Grand Tour Visa, which aims to simplify travel between the member countries by developing a borderless travel experience. With this unified visa, you will be able to explore multiple destinations in the Gulf without any restrictions. Moreover, it makes the region more attractive for vacations, business travels, and even cultural exploration.
It is expected to have a validity of 30 days. It means that you will get enough time to explore the region’s attractions. Moreover, you can explore Dubai’s iconic skyline, Oman’s precious coastline, etc, with this attractive visa.
Tourism and Economic Impact
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have predicted that the GCC Tourist Visa could lead to a record number of tourist visits. Moreover, it is estimated that a total of 128.7 million tourists might visit these regions by 2030.
The increase in tourism is expected to strongly affect the regional economy. Furthermore, it can create new opportunities for business and cultural exchange. On top of that, it could make the GCC region the top-tier travel destination in the world.
The UAE’s tourism industry provided more than 833,000 jobs in the last year. Moreover, the World Travel and Tourism Council projects that it could support more than 1 million jobs by 2030. It means that more people are going to be employed in this sector.
What to Expect from the GCC Tourist Visa Rollout?
You will soon be able to apply for the GCC Tourist Visa through a streamlined visa process. Moreover, the government will manage the visa process online. However, the official pricing details have not been announced yet.
Still, experts predict that multi-nation travel packages could range between AED 4000 and AED 5000 for a few days across three GCC countries. As of now, we recommend that you stay updated on the official announcement from the GCC authorities.
