The concept of a unified GCC tourist visa, often compared to Europe’s Schengen system, is inching closer to becoming a reality. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, has announced that a pilot phase is anticipated to be launched by the last quarter of 2025.

In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Marri emphasized that this initiative forms a crucial component of the GCC’s 2030 tourism strategy. The goal is to boost tourism's contribution to GDP through increased travel within GCC countries and higher hotel occupancy rates. This effort aims at transforming the region into a leading global destination for tourists from both nearby regions and across the world.

Toward Borderless Travel Across the Gulf

Referred to as the GCC Grand Tourist Visa, this unified visa will enable travelers to move effortlessly among all six Gulf Cooperation Council member states-the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain-using just one entry permit. Approved by GCC ministers in 2023, this project stands as one of the region’s boldest moves towards integrated tourism.

The visa process will leverage a digital application platform designed to facilitate seamless travel planning across multiple Gulf countries with minimal administrative burdens.

Al Marri underscored that the implementation would significantly enhance cross-border tourism while bolstering the region’s global competitiveness as a cohesive destination.

Phased Implementation

The rollout of the unified GCC visa will occur in phases, starting with an initial pilot at the end of 2025 before being fully implemented across all member nations. Once fully operational, it is expected that this initiative will improve mobility, simplify travel logistics, and elevate the GCC's status as one of the most accessible and appealing destinations globally.