GCC approves 'one-stop' travel system: UAE and Bahrain to pilot December roll-out

Dubai: The Gulf Cooperation Council announced approval of a 'one-stop' travel system designed to simplify cross-border movement for citizens of member states, with the first pilot phase set to launch between the UAE and Bahrain in December this year.

Presenting the initiative at the 42nd meeting of GCC Interior Ministers in Kuwait City, Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) revealed how the new system will enable national travellers from Gulf states to complete immigration, customs and security checks at a single checkpoint on arrival, eliminating multiple inspections and reducing arrival-processing time.

Under the plan, the UAE and Bahrain will act as the first participating countries, applying the system to air travel between the two states. If the pilot proves successful, the travel-clearance model will be expanded to all six GCC member states, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.

The GCC Secretary-General added that the new system will also be supported by a unified electronic platform to track and share travel-related violations among member states, aimed at making regional travel faster and more efficient.

The new “one-stop” system mirrors the Schengen-style coordination seen in the European Union, reflecting a push for deeper regional integration.

Unified GCC Visa in 2026

The latest development follows wider regional efforts to improve mobility and integrate travel infrastructure, with the GCC preparing a unified tourist-visa scheme, the GCC Grand Tours Visa, allowing visitors to move across six countries on a single permit.

The GCC has been working towards the pilot phase of the Unified GCC Visa to be rolled out by the fourth quarter of 2025, which would allow easier cross-border movement for residents and visitors.

Piloting the new system via UAE–Bahrain flights will test coordination between immigration, customs and aviation agencies. If effective, the rollout across all member states could reshape how Gulf citizens travel regionally, enabling faster movement and potentially boosting regional connectivity and economic activity.

Even as details about the digital and technical architecture of the 'one-stop' travel system remain limited, the December 2025 launch will mark a major milestone in travel-integration efforts within the Gulf.