Unified GCC Visa to change how UAE residents travel and insure trips
Region-wide travel insurance to grow as cross-border trips ease with GCC Grand Tours Visa
Dubai: Travel across the Gulf is about to get much simpler — and it’s not just good news for tourists. The upcoming Unified GCC Visa, which will let residents and visitors move freely across Gulf countries, is set to change how UAE residents travel and insure their trips.
For the region’s travel insurance sector, this could be transformative. With borders becoming more fluid, travellers’ expectations are shifting — and insurers are already preparing for new patterns in demand.
Game-changer for regional tourism
Industry experts have widely deemed how the Unified GCC Visa would be a game-changer for regional tourism, and for the travel insurance sector as a whole.
“From a travel expert’s lens, it will make multi-country travel within the Gulf far more seamless — similar to how the Schengen model encourages cross-border trips in Europe,” said Toshita Chauhan, Chief Business Officer – General Insurance at Policybazaar.ae.
This new freedom, she added, will likely lead to shorter, more frequent trips — quick weekend getaways and multi-destination itineraries across GCC cities.
Easier movement, stronger demand
Hitesh Motwani, Deputy CEO of InsuranceMarket.ae, agreed on how the initiative — dubbed ‘GCC Grand Tours Visa’ — can have a ripple effect on the insurance industry as well.
“The introduction of a unified GCC visa will make regional travel much easier, and that’s expected to positively impact the travel insurance market,” he said.
“With simplified entry requirements and more people exploring multiple destinations across the Gulf, we’ll likely see an increase in short leisure trips, regional tourism, and cross-border business travel.”
Boost for GCC tourism, coverage
But first, both travellers and insurers have to rethink their approach. “The introduction of the Unified GCC Visa is set to transform regional travel — and with it, the travel insurance landscape,” said Chauhan.
“Easier cross-border movement across Gulf nations will make multi-destination travel more common, prompting a shift in how both travellers and insurers view coverage.”
The biggest shift will be toward region-wide plans. “As travelers gain the freedom to move seamlessly across Gulf countries, it no longer makes sense to buy separate policies for each destination,” she further explained.
So insurers will need to offer flexible, affordable plans with broader geographical coverage and simplified claims that work across borders — especially for frequent travellers and families.
Insurers get ready for change
What's interesting is that insurers are already designing GCC-wide policies to meet this new demand. “Travellers visiting multiple GCC countries will want the convenience of one policy that covers them everywhere,” said Motwani.
“Some insurers and brokers are already exploring GCC-wide travel insurance solutions that include all six member states within one policy.”
He added: “In short, easier cross-border movement will make travel insurance more relevant, accessible, and necessary than ever before.”
How this impacts travel plans
For UAE residents — citizens and expatriates alike — the Unified GCC Visa could unlock new weekend escapes and short business hops that were once harder to plan.
Think: a road trip to Oman, a quick family break in Bahrain, or a business meeting in Doha — all without applying for multiple visas.
But that convenience also calls for better preparation. Both Motwani and Chauhan agree that region-wide coverage will soon become the new norm for travellers across the Gulf.
UAE travellers, stay fully covered
With Gulf borders soon set to open up, UAE residents planning multi-country trips will need to ensure their travel insurance keeps pace.
Chauhan advised UAE residents to always check the fine print before setting out to travel. “You can ensure your insurance covers all GCC destinations by following a few key steps,” she said. “First, check geographical coverage — not all plans automatically include every GCC nation, so look for region-wide coverage.
“Next, ensure it covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, flight delays, baggage loss, and cross-border hospitalisation. Finally, choose a plan with 24x7 assistance and unified claims support to stay protected wherever you travel in the GCC.”
UAE travel insurance checklist
Motwani outlined a five-point checklist for travellers before they set off:
Regional coverage confirmation: Make sure all GCC countries are listed in your policy’s territorial coverage.
Medical and emergency limits: Check that benefits apply equally across every destination.
Continuity of cover: Choose a plan that allows travel between countries without interruptions or add-ons.
Emergency assistance: Ensure the insurer has active support networks in all GCC states.
Trip disruptions: Confirm coverage for multi-country cancellations or delays, as Gulf routes get busier.
“Ultimately, a good travel insurance policy should be simple, region-inclusive, and reliable — giving travellers peace of mind no matter how freely they move within the GCC,” Motwani added.
Road ahead?
For the insurance industry, the GCC Unified Visa is not just an opportunity — it’s a call to innovate and regionalise. For travellers, it’s an open invitation to rediscover the Gulf — six countries, one visa, and now, potentially, one policy.
As Motwani summed it up: “Ultimately, a good travel insurance policy should be simple, region-inclusive, and reliable — giving travellers peace of mind no matter how freely they move within the GCC.”
For UAE residents planning their next getaway, the message is clear — one visa, one region, one plan.
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