GCC tourist visa: What we know so far about the unified 6-country visa

Dubai: Soon, visiting the Gulf’s top destinations may be as easy as clicking 'apply' once.

A major travel update is on the way for UAE residents and frequent travellers: a unified tourist visa that covers all six GCC countries is expected to launch soon — giving non-GCC nationals a simpler way to explore the region without multiple visa hassles.

Officially named the GCC Grand Tours Visa, this new visa scheme will allow travel to:

The initiative was approved in 2023 and is currently in its final planning stages. While no exact launch date has been confirmed yet, the visa is expected to roll out sometime this year.

For UAE residents who frequently host family or plan trips around the Gulf, this visa could be a game-changer. Whether you’re planning a long-weekend escape to Muscat, a culture-packed Doha stopover, or want to see Riyadh, Manama, and beyond, this visa eliminates the need to apply country by country.

It’s especially good news for expats and residents in the UAE who may not have visa-free access across the region. Now, with a single online application, you’ll be able to plan an entire Gulf itinerary with fewer formalities and at a lower cost.

While the final terms are still being confirmed, here’s what’s expected:

The GCC Grand Tours Visa will reportedly come with extended validity and lower overall costs, especially compared to getting six separate visas. That means more travel, less paperwork.

This unified visa isn’t just a win for travellers. It’s also designed to boost tourism and economic growth across the Gulf. By making it easier for visitors to tour the region, the GCC aims to increase hotel stays, airline traffic, retail spending, and cultural exchange.

Expect this initiative to also strengthen regional ties, as travellers explore shared traditions — from desert festivals to contemporary cityscapes — in a single trip.

Though the final list may vary depending on your nationality and travel plans, here’s what travellers will likely be asked to provide:

Once the visa officially goes live, here’s how the application process is expected to work:

Note: Visa-on-arrival is not expected to be part of this initiative for now, so pre-approval will be required before you travel.

For UAE-based travellers — especially those who enjoy regional exploration — the GCC Grand Tours Visa could open up a new era of spontaneous, cost-effective travel.

Whether you’re a frequent flyer, event-goer, family visitor, or adventure lover, this one-visa-for-all plan is designed to make your Gulf trips smoother than ever.

And there are now multiple reports that the visa could be launched before the year ends. So watch this space — and your calendar — because a new way to travel the region is just around the corner.