The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to launch a Schengen-style tourist visa, officially named the GCC Grand Tours Visa, with a pilot phase starting in late 2025. This unified visa will allow residents and eligible travelers to move freely across the six member states: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman.
The pilot program will enable applicants to apply for the visa through a digital platform, simplifying travel processes while reducing costs and administrative procedures compared to applying for separate visas for each country. The trial phase will assess the implementation before a full-scale rollout.
Currently, citizens of GCC countries can travel visa-free across the region, but foreign nationals residing in the GCC face varying visa requirements. The GCC Grand Tours Visa aims to provide longer validity periods, consistent access across the region, and streamlined travel options, potentially offering one-country or six-country access with durations between 30 and 90 days.
The initiative received approval in late 2023 following a unanimous ministerial vote in Oman, highlighting a commitment to promoting tourism, regional connectivity, and economic growth within the Gulf. UAE residents will benefit from simplified travel rules as infrastructure projects such as Etihad Rail passenger service enhance inter-emirate mobility starting in 2026.
The GCC Grand Tours Visa is expected to support tourism expansion, ease movement for business and leisure travelers, and strengthen the Gulf as a global destination. Further details, including visa requirements and application procedures, are anticipated closer to the pilot phase launch.