The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is preparing to launch a single unified tourist visa — a historic step that will make it possible to travel freely across all six Gulf countries under one permit.
According to the UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the pilot rollout of the GCC Unified Tourist Visa will begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, confirmed during World Tourism Day 2025. Once the pilot phase concludes, full implementation will follow, marking a new era of regional travel integration.
✳️ What Is the Unified GCC Visa?
The Unified GCC Tourist Visa (also called the GCC Grand Tours Visa) is modeled after Europe’s Schengen visa system, allowing travelers to move freely across multiple Gulf countries with a single visa.
It will include all six member states:
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
- 🇧🇭 Bahrain
- 🇴🇲 Oman
- 🇶🇦 Qatar
- 🇰🇼 Kuwait
This means that once you enter any of these countries, you’ll be able to explore the others without the need for separate visas — a game-changer for both regional residents and international tourists.
🎯 The Aim Behind the GCC Grand Tourist Visa
The unified visa is designed as a strategic step towards deeper regional integration, enhancing the Gulf’s appeal as a single tourism destination.
By simplifying cross-border travel, the initiative:
- Encourages tourists to explore multiple destinations within the Gulf in one trip.
- Makes the GCC region more accessible and unified for international travelers.
- Boosts collaboration among the tourism sectors of all member countries.
As Minister Al Marri highlighted, this policy will strengthen the Gulf’s collective tourism identity and attract more global visitors looking for diverse cultural and luxury experiences within one region.
🕒 When Will It Launch?
While the exact date has not yet been confirmed, the pilot phase will start in Q4 2025, following the visa’s official approval in June 2025. Full rollout across all GCC nations will come soon after successful pilot testing.
This timeline aligns with ongoing efforts by the Gulf states to expand tourism, promote economic collaboration, and reduce travel barriers between neighboring countries.
💡 Why This Matters for Travelers
For anyone planning holidays, business trips, or extended stays in the Middle East, this unified visa means:
- Less paperwork and fewer embassy visits
- Faster and easier travel planning
- The opportunity to explore multiple iconic destinations — from Dubai’s skyscrapers and Oman’s mountains to Saudi Arabia’s heritage sites and Bahrain’s islands — all in one journey
✈️ Plan Your Future GCC Journey with Three Brothers Travel
At Three Brothers Travel & Tourism (3BroTravel), we’ll be among the first to assist travelers in understanding and applying for the new GCC Unified Tourist Visa once it becomes available.
We’ll help you with:
✅ Visa consultation and document preparation
✅ Multi-country itinerary planning
✅ Hotel and flight arrangements across the GCC
Stay tuned for updates and pre-launch guidance on how to apply.
📲 Contact us:
WhatsApp: +973 3434 3459
🌐 Visit: 3brotravel.com
The future of Gulf travel starts here — six countries, one visa, endless experiences.