The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will soon roll out a new visa, known as the GCC Grand Tours Visa, streamlining regional travel for non-GCC nationals and residents.
With a single tourist visa, non-GCC nationals will be able to travel to all six GCC countries: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman.
During the UAE Hospitality Summer Camp on June 16, 2025, the UAE Minister of Economy, Abdulla bin Touq Al-Marri, announced that the GCC Grand Tours Visa has been approved and will be implemented soon.
Through the GCC Grand Tours Visa, the non-GCC nationals and residents will have a unique opportunity to explore multiple destinations via a single online application process.
With the official launch expected by the end of 2025, the unified visa will likely have distinct features similar to the European Schengen visa. It will be valid for tourism purposes and family visits.
The validity period will likely be between 30 and 90 days. Moreover, it will allow applicants to choose one-country or six-country access. Thus, it will be more cost-effective than applying for multiple individual visas.
The GCC Grand Tours Visa is a major milestone towards enhancing GCC ties and integration, strengthening tourism and economic growth in line with the GCC 2030 tourism strategy, as well as boosting cultural exchange among the Gulf countries.
