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Travelling across the Gulf is set to become easier than ever. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is preparing to launch its long-awaited unified tourist visa, a move expected to make the region one of the most accessible and connected travel destinations in the world.
According to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, the pilot launch for the unified GCC tourist visa is expected in the final quarter of 2025. The announcement will precede a full rollout planned for a later stage. Al Marri described the initiative as a strategic step towards regional unity and said it will strengthen the Gulf’s position as a single tourism destination.
In 2024, the UAE recorded 3.3 million visitors from GCC countries, accounting for 11 per cent of all hotel guests. Saudi Arabia led with 1.9 million visitors, followed by Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. Al Marri added that tourism remains central to the UAE’s long-term growth strategy, supported by initiatives such as the upcoming “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign under the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031.
The Secretary-General of the GCC, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, confirmed that the unified visa, named GCC Grand Tours, is in its final approval stage after years of planning. Once implemented, the system will allow travellers to explore Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE using a single visa. Applications will be available online through a new digital platform.
Tourism experts believe the unified visa will simplify logistics, increase visitor mobility, and enhance average stays and spending across Gulf countries. The initiative is also expected to support local communities and sustainable tourism by driving more balanced visitor flows across the region.
Complementing the visa rollout, Gulf nations continue to invest in transport infrastructure, from modernised airports and cruise terminals to the upcoming GCC Railway — all key to making the Gulf a seamlessly connected tourism hub by 2027.
