GCC Tourist Visa to Be Launched Soon

The launch date of the GCC Tourist Visa is approaching, simplifying travel in the region for non-GCC nationals in the near future.

The visa has officially been named as the GCC Grand Tours Visa and will enable foreign citizens to travel to all six GCC countries with a single visa, namely the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. This means that foreign nationals will not need to apply for separate visas to visit each country.

Initially approved in 2023, the GCC Grand Tours Visa is in its final stages. Even though the launch date has yet to be confirmed, it is expected that the visa will be introduced by the end of 2025.

GCC residents who do not have visa-free access to other countries in the region can especially benefit from the GCC Unified Visa as they can easily travel to neighbouring countries with a single online application. They can travel for a long weekend or to visit family and friends without the hassle of in-person visa applications.

The exact details of the visa are still being finalized, but it is expected that the GCC Grand Tours Visa will enable multi-country access with a single visa. It will likely be valid for tourism purposes and family visits, with only online applications being accepted. Applicants will probably be able to choose between one-country or six-country access, and the validity period of the visa may be between 30 to 90 days.

Compared to the existing traditional visas, the GCC Unified Visa will have a longer validity period and lower overall costs as compared to obtaining six separate visas.

The GCC Grand Tours Visa is aimed at strengthening tourism and economic growth across the region by simplifying the process of getting visas. With increased accessibility, the GCC hopes that there will be an increase in hotel and airline bookings, retail expenditure, and cultural exchange. The new initiative is also expected to boost ties within the region.

The required documents may vary depending on the nationality and purpose of visit, but visitors may be expected to provide a copy of their passport with a minimum validity period of six months, completed online application form, recent passport-size photo, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, proof of funds, and a return or onward ticket.

Once the visa is launched, applicants will have to visit the official GCC Grand Tours Visa website and select their visa type, either for one country or all six countries. They will then have to fill in the application form with their personal information and travel details and upload documents, such as their passport copy and personal photo. After paying for the visa fee online, they will likely receive the e-visa in their email. They may be required to show the digital copy at the immigration checks. As a visa on arrival is not expected to be part of this initiative, all applicants will require approval before arriving in a GCC country.