GCC Grand Tours Visa Eligibility

What is the GCC Grand Tours Visa

The GCC Grand Tours Visa, also known as the Unified GCC Visa, is a multi-country visa that will enable its holders to travel to all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with a single visa. The list of the Gulf countries in the GCC is as follows:

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

This highly anticipated visa will work in a similar way to the Schengen visa, making borderless travel possible for both international tourists and GCC residents. Instead of applying for separate visas to visit each country, travellers will only need to submit a single application. Moreover, the application will be submitted online, saving applicants time and effort by doing away with in-person visits to consulates and visa application centres.

According to the latest GCC visa news, the pilot phase of the Unified GCC Tourist Visa will be launched in the last quarter of 2025. There are a number of GCC Unified Visa eligibility criteria that we will explain in more detail.

Who Is Eligible for the GCC Visa

The list of eligible countries has yet to be published, but it is expected that nationals from countries that are eligible for e-visas and visa on arrival in the GCC countries can apply for the Unified GCC Tourist Visa.

GCC nationals will continue to travel to other GCC countries freely using their national identity cards as they do currently. Residents of the GCC will most likely be eligible for the GCC Grand Tours Visa.

GCC Unified Visa Eligibility Criteria

Explore the expected GCC Unified Visa eligibility criteria for the GCC visa:

Passport

Your passport will probably need to have a minimum validity of six months from your intended date of arrival in the GCC region.

Age

Applicants of all ages will likely be eligible and will need to apply for a visa.
It is expected that if the applicant is under the age of 18, their parents or guardians will be required to submit an application for them.

Purpose of travel

The Unified Visa for GCC countries will likely only be valid for tourism and family and friend visits.
If you’re planning to work, reside, or pursue long-term study, you will need to apply for another visa instead, as these activities will not be allowed with a Unified GCC visa.

Visa Validity and Duration of Stay

According to the GCC Unified Visa latest news and speculations, the GCC Unified Visa validity may range between 90 days for single-entry visas to up to 1 year for multiple-entry visas. The allowed duration of stay could be up to 30 days and 90 days, respectively. There will also be two options to choose from, as explained below:

Single-country option

If you only wish to visit one country in the GCC, choose the single-country option.
You will need to indicate which of the six countries you want to visit.

Six-country option

The multi-country option will give you access to all six GCC countries.
This will facilitate borderless travel throughout the GCC region.

Required Documents for GCC Unified Visa

Here are the likely required documents for the GCC Grand Tours Visa:

Passport

It will most likely be required to be valid for at least six months from your date of travel.

Passport photo

It should be a color photo taken recently that meets all the guidelines that will be announced.

Confirmed flight bookings and accommodation

You may have to present bookings of your flight, especially showing that you have a return flight or onward flight to your next destination.
You may need to provide evidence of your accommodation, such as hotel bookings or an invitation letter from family or friends residing in a GCC country.

Travel insurance

You will probably need to purchase travel insurance for your trip that meets the minimum coverage for the visa.

Proof of funds

To show that you will be able to support yourself during your travels, you may need to provide bank statements and payslips.

The requirements for GCC residents may differ from other foreigners applying for the visa. Here are the documents that residents of the GCC may need to provide:

Residence permit You may need to show evidence of your legal residence in the country, such as your residence permit.
Employment letter The visa application may require you to submit a letter from your employer confirming your employment with the company.

Application Process

The entire GCC Unified Visa application process will be conducted online, eliminating the need for in-person visits. It is expected to be user-friendly and efficient, allowing travelers to complete their applications with ease. Follow these steps to apply for a GCC Unified Visa online:

Application Process

Choose the visa type

Choose between a single-country and a six-country visa.
If you go with the single-country visa option, you will need to indicate which of the six countries you’re travelling to.

Fill out the online application form

The online form will ask for basic personal information, such as your full name, passport number, contact information, and email address.
You may need to answer additional questions about the purpose of your visit, your employment details, and your accommodation.

Attach documents

Upload copies of your passport biodata page, a passport-sized photo, and the other required documents.

Make the payment

Pay the visa fees for the visa type you’ve selected using a working debit or credit card.

Receive the visa

You will be notified of the GCC Unified Visa application result via email.
The exact processing time has not been announced, but it may take anywhere from three to seven business days.
If your application is successful, you can expect to receive an electronic visa in your email.
Download a copy of the visa on your device and print a hard copy, as you may need to show it at immigration.

Visa Fees and Payment Process

The cost of the visa has not been released, but it may cost anywhere from $90 to $130. The single-country option will likely cost less than the six-country option. Payment can be made online, and you can likely pay with a debit or credit card, or a digital wallet like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

FAQs

You will need to apply online for the GCC Unified visa. According to official reports, in-person applications at visa application centres or consulates will not be available.

The Unified Tourist Visa “GCC Grand Tours Visa” will be open for applications by the end of 2025. The eligibility requirements have not been released, but nationals who qualify for e-visas to GCC countries can likely apply for the GCC Unified Visa. They will also probably need to have a clean criminal record and should not have overstayed their visa permission in the Gulf and any other countries they have traveled to.

The new Gulf visa will make it more affordable and convenient for foreigners to visit and explore the GCC countries. Its cost is expected to be lower than applying for individual visas to each of the six Gulf nations. As all the applications will be lodged online, you can save time, money, and effort from travelling to the visa application center or embassy. The new initiative will make it a seamless experience for tourists to travel across the region.