RIYADH: Travel across the Gulf is set to become easier for millions of expatriates as the long-anticipated GCC Unified Tourist Visa, officially named the “GCC Grand Tours,” is expected to launch by the end of 2025. The announcement was made on July 2 by GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi, who confirmed the visa is nearing final implementation and acknowledged the collaborative efforts of all member states.
The new visa will permit streamlined travel between all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations—United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman—under a single, multi-entry permit. While citizens of GCC countries already enjoy visa-free movement, this initiative is especially significant for the millions of foreign residents living within the region.
Designed to simplify procedures and reduce costs, the unified visa could replace the need for six separate visas. It may also offer extended validity—expected to range from 30 to 90 days—and provide applicants the choice between single-country or multi-country access.
Originally approved by GCC ministers in a unanimous vote held in Oman in late 2023, the visa is a key component of the Gulf bloc’s wider plan to boost intra-regional tourism and economic cooperation. At a February 2025 meeting, UAE’s Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, stated the visa would create a “qualitative shift in Gulf tourism” by showcasing the region’s cultural and natural diversity while encouraging longer visits.
Currently, visa rules vary widely for residents of GCC countries depending on their nationality and destination. The unified visa seeks to offer more consistency and convenience. For instance, while UAE citizens can travel visa-free to countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain, expatriates often require separate eVisas or must meet certain job criteria. The new system will unify entry procedures, making travel across the GCC more accessible.
Though the exact rollout date has yet to be confirmed, the GCC Grand Tours visa is on track to redefine regional tourism and enhance connectivity across the Gulf’s fast-evolving destinations.
