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What is the GCC Visa?
The GCC Grand Tours Visa, also called the Unified GCC Visa or Unified GCC Tourist Visa, lets you visit six Gulf countries using one permit.
Instead of getting separate visas for Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, you’ll soon be able to travel across all of them with one simple application, kind of like how the Schengen visa works in Europe.
Right now, you have to apply for each country’s visa one at a time. That takes more effort, time, and money. With the new Unified Tourist Visa “GCC Grand Tours Visa”, you’ll be able to choose between visiting just one Gulf country or going for the multi-country option.
The unified GCC visa will only be for short visits, like vacations or visiting family.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) plans to test the system during a trial phase in the last quarter of 2025.
GCC Visa Eligibility Criteria
The full rules haven’t been shared yet, but here’s what the GCC unified visa eligibility requirements will likely be.
- You’ll need a passport that doesn’t expire for at least six months after your travel date.
- A clear, recent photo that meets standard visa photo guidelines.
- Adults (18 and over) can apply on their own. Kids under 18 will likely need to travel with a parent or legal guardian.
- The unified GCC tourist visa is for tourism, visiting family or friends, or other short stays.
If new details about the eligibility for the GCC unified visa come out later, they’ll be shared through our platform.
Who Is Eligible
Here’s a quick look at who can apply for the unified visa for GCC countries:
- Travelers who are not citizens of any GCC country can apply, as long as they meet the basic GCC unified visa eligibility requirements.
- Foreign residents already living in a GCC country will likely be able to apply for the unified GCC visa.
- The full list of eligible nationalities hasn’t been shared yet, but officials say it will likely include people from many countries.
- If you’re a GCC national, nothing changes; you can still travel across member countries with your national ID, just like before.
Exclusions & Special Cases
- You can’t use the GCC unified visa application for work, labor, or long-term stays.
- If you’ve broken visa rules in a GCC country in the past, your application may be rejected.
- Details about eligibility for GCC unified visa haven’t been confirmed yet, but more info may be released once the trial phase starts.
Required Documents for the GCC Visa Application
To start your GCC unified visa online application, you’ll need a few key documents.
While the final list might change based on your nationality or travel plan, these are the ones most travelers will likely need when they apply online for the unified GCC tourist visa:
For the latest updates, it’s best to follow GCC visa news as the program continues to roll out.
How to Apply for the GCC Unified Visa
If you’re wondering how to apply for the GCC unified visa, the steps should be pretty simple once the system goes live. Here’s what the process will likely look like, based on early details:
How to Apply for the GCC Unified Visa
If you’re wondering how to apply for the GCC unified visa, the steps should be pretty simple once the system goes live. Here’s what the process will likely look like, based on early details:
1
Visit the Visa Portal
Start by going to the GCC Grand Tours Visa website.
2
Pick Your Travel Option
Decide if you’re applying for a single-country visa or want to explore several places on the Gulf countries list with a multi-country option.
3
Complete Your Personal Information
Fill in your personal information, like your name, passport number, and upload a personal photo if needed.
4
Enter Travel Details and Upload Documents
Fill in your travel plans, like dates and destinations, and upload the needed files such as your passport copy and travel insurance.
5
Pay the Visa Fee
Use the online payment tool to submit your visa fee. Make sure you keep a receipt or confirmation.
6
Check Your Email
Once approved, your visa will arrive by email. The timeline for this may vary depending on your application.
7
Keep a Copy Handy
Save a copy of the visa on your phone or print it out so you’re ready at the airport.
Keep an eye on the GCC unified visa latest news to know when applications officially start.
GCC Visa Fees & Processing Time
Here’s what you’ll likely need to know before paying for the visa and planning your timeline:
Expected Fee Range
While the exact fee hasn’t been shared yet, it’s expected to fall between $90 and $130. That’s similar to what some other Gulf countries charge for tourist visas.
Online Payment Only
Payments will likely be made through the Visa platform using secure methods.
Accepted Payment Methods
Most travelers will probably use a credit or debit card. Apple Pay and Google Pay are expected to also be available.
Estimated Processing Time
Once you apply, the visa may take anywhere from 3 days to a week.
When to Apply?
Once the GCC Grand Tours Visa system goes live, likely by the end of 2025, you’ll want to get a head start on your application. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Apply at Least 1–4 Weeks Before You Travel
Give yourself enough time in case there are delays, technical issues, or missing documents that need to be fixed.
Why Early Is Better
Applying ahead gives you breathing room. If something’s missing or needs to be reuploaded, you won’t feel rushed. It also helps with planning, especially if you want to visit more than one country from the Gulf list. You’ll have time to map out your route, book hotels, and get everything set.
Visa Validity and Duration of Stay
Here’s what you should know about how long the GCC Unified Visa might last and how much time you’ll get in each country.
Visa Validity After Issuance
The exact GCC unified visa validity hasn’t been confirmed yet. It is expected that it would either match the duration of stay or be a little longer to provide some flexibility during travel.
Duration of Stay per Visit
The duration of stay hasn’t been confirmed yet either. But early reports suggest it could range from 30 to 90 days.
Single-Entry vs Multiple-Entry Options
A single-entry visa is confirmed. That means you can use it once, whether you’re visiting one GCC country or several, within the allowed period.
A multiple-entry option is expected to be available. That would let travelers go in and out of the region several times while the visa is still valid, but no official update has been shared yet.
Single-Country vs Multi-Country Travel
You’ll be able to pick between a single-country visa for visiting just one Gulf nation. The other is a multi-country option, which lets you travel across the six GCC member states.
FAQs
It’s a tourist visa that lets travelers visit multiple Gulf countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, with one permit.
Once applications open, visit the GCC Visa Portal and apply online by completing the form, uploading your required documents, and paying the applicable fee.
No. The unified visa is for tourism and short visits only. It doesn’t allow for paid work or long-term stays.
Not fully. The unified visa is for tourists. Other types of Gulf visas, like work or residency visas, will still be handled separately by each country.