Latest Updates on the GCC Unified Tourist Visa

GCC Secretary General Jassem Al Budaiwi announced on Wednesday that the new unified tourist visa system is now in its final stages of preparation.

The visa will officially be called “GCC Grand Tours” and will allow freedom of movement for residents between the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Al Budaiwi shared this update during his meeting with participants in the 39th meeting of the GCC Passport Directors-General. The meeting was held on Wednesday at the General Secretariat’s headquarters in Riyadh.

The Secretary General reviewed the meeting’s agenda, which included the Gulf tourist visa project and the latest findings from the technical teams working on this plan.

He stressed that everyone involved is working together as a team to keep pace with technological developments and meet security requirements in a world that is changing fast.

Visa-free travel is already available for citizens of GCC countries, but the new GCC Grand Tours Visa will allow millions of foreign nationals living in the region to travel freely between member states.

The plan will simplify the visa process and is expected to have a longer validity period and cost less than applying for six separate visas. Plans for the unified visa were officially approved late in 2023 following a unanimous vote by ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council during a meeting in Oman.

While an official launch date has not yet been confirmed, it is expected that the new visa will be introduced by the end of 2025. The GCC Grand Tours Visa aims to encourage tourism within the region and help grow each nation’s economy.