GCC Grand Tours Visa Requirements

What is the GCC Grand Tours Visa?

The GCC Grand Tours Visa is a new unified visa scheme being introduced by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC is a union of six Middle Eastern countries – the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. The GCC Grand Tours Visa, also known as the GCC Unified Visa, will allow travelers to visit all six GCC countries using a single visa. Although a launch date has not yet been announced, the GCC Grand Tours Visa is expected to launch by the end of 2025.

The Unified GCC Visa will require just one application, and, upon approval, travelers will be permitted to visit as many of the six Gulf countries as they choose. The visa is also available to travelers who only want to visit one GCC country. The Unified Visa is expected to make travel within the GCC area much easier and is expected to boost tourism within the region. It will also make the application process simpler and more cost-effective, compared to applying for separate visas for each GCC country.

Although key details of the visa are yet to be announced, the unified visa for GCC countries is expected to have a validity period of up to 90 days, with an expected duration of stay of 30 days. However, the latest updates from GCC visa news have not yet confirmed these speculations. Travelers can choose to spend their entire duration of stay in one GCC country or travel between multiple countries.

Who is Eligible for the GCC Visa?

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has not yet announced the exact eligibility criteria for the GCC Grand Tours Visa. However, factors that are likely to affect eligibility include:

Nationality

The Unified Visa may not be available to all nationalities, and some restrictions may apply. For example, the Saudi Arabia eVisa is currently NOT available to individuals from Chad, Ethiopia, Iran, Libya, Palestine, and Syria, so similar restrictions may apply for the GCC Grand Tours Visa.

Travel purposes

The visa is expected to be available to eligible individuals traveling to the GCC area for tourism purposes and to visit family and friends. Individuals traveling to the GCC region for other reasons, such as paid work, may not be eligible.

Exempted countries

Some individuals are likely to be exempted from the GCC Unified Visa. The visa is aimed at non-GCC nationals, as GCC citizens do not need a visa to travel within the GCC region. Referring to the Gulf countries list below for the likely exemptions:

United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Oman
Kuwait
Bahrain

GCC Visa Requirements

The GCC Unified Visa requirements have not yet been confirmed, but the list of GCC Unified Visa required documents is likely to include:

A valid passport

Applicants will need to provide a valid passport from an eligible non-GCC country that has at least six months of validity beyond the intended date of travel. The passport information provided in the application must match the passport used to enter the GCC region.

A completed application form

The application process will be completely online, and applicants will need to complete the application form honestly and accurately and submit it in advance of the planned travel date.

A photograph

Applicants will likely be required to submit a recent passport-sized photograph that was taken within the last six months, matches their true current appearance, and complies with the GCC specifications.

A working email address

The application form will require applicants to include a valid email address. Any updates about the application and the final application decision will be sent to this email address.

Although not yet confirmed, other requirements may include:

Proof of onward travel (e.g., a return flight).
Travel information (e.g., hotel bookings).
Financial evidence that you can support yourself during your visit.
Proof of travel insurance.

Remember that requirements may differ for different applicants, so it is essential to check the information carefully before applying. For example, the GCC Unified Visa requirements for GCC residents may differ, compared to non-residents.

Visa Application Process

Once the application process is open, applicants will be able to apply for the Unified GCC Visa online through our website. Although finalized information about the application process has not yet been announced, if you want to apply for the GCC Unified Visa, it is likely you will need to follow the steps below:

Visa Application Process

Complete the application form

Applicants will be able to complete the application form on our website quickly and easily. As part of the application, you will need to submit your personal information, passport information, address, contact details, your purpose of visit, and any other necessary information.

Upload the required documents

Applicants will need to upload all the required documents (i.e., the documents listed above) in the required format.

Pay the visa fee

The application fee will need to be paid as part of the application process. Valid payment methods are likely to include Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Receive your visa

Once the application has been submitted and assessed, a visa decision will be sent to the email address provided in the application. You will then receive your Unified Tourist Visa “GCC Grand Tours Visa” and be eligible to travel to the GCC region.

Mistakes to Avoid in Your Application

When submitting your application, it is important to avoid the common mistakes listed below to prevent any delays in the application process or your application being denied.

Incorrect information on the application form (whether deliberate or accidental).
An incomplete application form.
The documents do not comply with the specifications.
Less than six months’ validity on the applicant’s passport.
Failure to comply with the permitted travel purposes.

Fees and Payment Options

The GCC visa requirements will necessitate applicants to pay a fee when submitting their application. The exact visa fee has not yet been announced, but it is expected that the fee will be between $90~130. There are expected to be multiple payment methods available, including:

Visa
Mastercard
Apple Pay
Google Pay

What to Do After Your Application

Once your application has been submitted and you have paid the required fee, all you need to do now is wait for your application to be processed and a decision to be made. The processing time for GCC Unified Visa applications has not yet been announced, but it is expected to be as little as 3 days up to a week. However, it is recommended to always apply way in advance of your travel date to account for any delays, particularly when applications first open, as it may be busy.

Applicants will be notified of the visa decision via the email address they supplied as part of the application. If your application is approved, it is recommended to print a copy of the approval for your records, and in case of any issues at the border.

FAQs

Yes, the GCC Grand Tours Visa is expected to be similar to the Schengen Visa in Europe. The Schengen visa allows visa holders to travel within the 29 European countries in the Schengen Area using a single visa. Similarly, the GCC Grand Tours Visa will allow visa holders to travel within the six countries in the GCC region using a single visa.

The GCC Grand Tours Visa is expected to be a multiple-entry visa, as it will allow visa holders to travel between countries in the GCC region and make multiple entries using the one visa.

It is currently expected that the GCC Grand Tours visa will only be available for online applications, and applications must be submitted and approved before the individual travels to the GCC region. However, it could be that this information changes, so check the GCC Unified visa latest news online for up-to-date information.