The long-awaited unified GCC tourist visa is expected to be launched soon, according to the Gulf Cooperation Council’s secretary-general, who said the Schengen-style permit is moving closer to implementation.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the visa will make it easier for international tourists to travel across all six member states.
The proposed permit, also known as the GCC Grand Tourist Visa, is expected to allow visitors to enter the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait on a single visa.
He made the remarks during a session at the Security and History Dialogue 2026 in Riyadh, but did not announce a launch date or provide details about the visa fee, validity or application process.
The unified tourist visa was approved by GCC tourism ministers in October 2023, followed by approval from GCC interior ministers the next month.
In June 2025, UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said the visa had already been approved and was awaiting implementation.
Albudaiwi also pointed to other GCC integration projects, including the UAE-Bahrain one-stop air travel system, which allows passengers to complete passport checks before departure.
He said such initiatives are designed to make travel across the Gulf smoother and more efficient.
The GCC secretary-general also highlighted broader regional integration efforts in trade, customs, transport, energy and infrastructure, saying they have strengthened the bloc’s appeal as a connected tourism and investment destination.
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