Unified GCC Visa to Reshape Regional Travel and Insurance Market

GCC is preparing to launch the pilot phase of the Unified GCC Visa later this year, a move expected to change how tourists travel across the region significantly and purchase travel insurance.

The new visa, often compared to Europe’s Schengen model, will allow travelers to move freely between all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries under a single visa. This change is being welcomed across the tourism and insurance sectors, as it promises to streamline regional mobility and reshape consumer behavior.

Experts described the upcoming visa as a turning point for both travelers and insurers. Multi-country travel in the Gulf will become much simpler, they noted. As a result, travelers will move away from destination-specific insurance plans and look for broader, region-wide coverage.

Insurance providers are already preparing for the shift. New policies are being developed that cover all GCC states under one plan and target travelers who plan short getaways or multi-country trips. These plans aim to offer easier claims processing and more flexible terms for people visiting several countries in one journey.

It is believed the new system will likely result in a surge in cross-border business travel and short leisure trips. Simplified visa rules will drive demand for regional tourism. The insurance market must keep pace with the changing needs of Gulf travelers, he explained.

According to both experts, the ability to explore cities like Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, and Muscat without applying for separate visas will drive the need for travel insurance plans that cope with the new freedom of movement. 

As the GCC prepares to roll out the visa program, the insurance industry is already adapting to support this shift in regional travel habits.