One Visa for Six Gulf Countries: The New GCC Tourist Visa Explained
Planning a trip to the Gulf? Great news—travel across the region is about to get much simpler.
A new GCC Tourist Visa, officially called the GCC Grand Tours Visa, is on the way. It’s been approved by the Gulf Cooperation Council and is in its final stages of setup. Once it launches (expected by the end of 2025), you’ll be able to visit all six GCC countries—the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait—with just one visa.
What is the GCC Tourist Visa?
This new visa system is designed to make traveling within the Gulf easier—just like the Schengen visa does in Europe. With one application, tourists can explore multiple Gulf countries without needing separate visas for each one.
What Will Change for Travelers?
No need to apply for a separate visa every time you visit a different country in the Gulf.
One visa lets you explore cities like Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, Muscat, and more—all in one trip.
Saves time, effort, and money.
Encourages longer stays and more travel within the region.
You could walk through Kuwait’s old markets, enjoy Arabic coffee in Bahrain, visit modern museums in Qatar, or hike in Oman—all with one travel document.
Key Features (What We Know So Far):
Covers all six GCC countries.
Offers single or multiple entry options.
Valid for tourism and visiting family.
Application process will be online.
Visa validity: 30 to 90 days.
No visa-on-arrival at the start—you’ll need to apply in advance.
Travelers might also be able to choose between visiting just one country or all six.
Who Can Apply?
The visa will be open to tourists from many countries (final list coming soon). You’ll likely need:
A passport valid for 6+ months
A passport-sized photo
Flight and hotel bookings
Travel insurance
Proof of enough money for your trip
GCC citizens won’t need this visa—they can still travel with their national IDs.
How to Apply
Once the system is live, the steps should be:
Visit the official visa website (coming soon).
Choose between one-country or full-region visa.
Fill out your travel details and upload documents.
Pay the fee online.
Receive your e-visa by email.
You can print it out or keep a copy on your phone.
How Much Will It Cost?
The exact fee hasn’t been announced yet. But since this one visa covers all six countries, it will likely be cheaper than applying separately for each one.
If you need to extend your visa, it will follow the rules of the country you’re in. For example, in the UAE, a 30-day extension costs about AED 810. Overstaying can lead to fines of AED 50 per day.
Special Situations
Traveling with family? You can probably add children or dependents to your application.
Visiting for business or medical reasons? You may still need a different visa.
Remote workers or retirees? You might benefit from this visa later as Gulf countries expand flexible visa options.
Why It Matters
Over 68 million people visited the Gulf in 2023, and that number is rising. With this new visa, the region hopes to attract even more visitors—not just for luxury, but for culture, nature, food, and events.
This visa will connect cities and experiences across the Gulf and make travel smoother and more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the GCC Tourist Visa?
A single visa that lets you visit all six Gulf countries with one application.
Which countries are included?
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.
When will it be available?
By the end of 2025.
Can I extend it?
Yes, depending on each country’s rules.
How do I apply?
Online—fill out a form, upload documents, and receive the visa by email.
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