Unified GCC Visa to Be Approved Soon, Says GCC Head

The Gulf Cooperation Council is closer than ever to launching a major tourism initiative that will allow travelers to explore six countries on a single visa. 

Jassim Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC, confirmed in recent statements that the GCC unified visa, officially named the Unified Tourist Visa “GCC Grand Tours,” will be approved soon. Once introduced, the unified visa for GCC countries will provide a shared travel permit covering Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The approved unified GCC tourist visa is part of a broader vision to improve economic ties and enhance visitor experiences across the Gulf. It will allow tourists and residents of the GCC countries to apply online for a unified GCC visa.

While each country maintains its own tourism goals, the unified GCC tourist visa helps present the region as a single market. It is also expected to make trip planning easier for travelers seeking multi-country itineraries.

The new GCC tourist visa will align with ongoing projects like the regional railway, which aims to streamline land transport over 2,100 kilometers. That network will support cross-border movement and reinforce the benefits of the unified visa GCC system.

GCC officials have described this integration effort as essential to creating jobs, increasing hospitality demand, and encouraging longer stays. For countries like the UAE, the GCC visa for the UAE will attract new segments of travelers, especially those visiting neighboring states.

The Gulf visa project also supports mid-term objectives under national tourism strategies, particularly for Saudi Arabia and Oman, where infrastructure expansion is accelerating.

The unified tourist visa of the Gulf Cooperation Council is one of several steps toward deeper regional cooperation. Combined with branding under the GCC Grand Tours umbrella, it aims to raise the global profile of the Gulf as a seamless travel experience.

Industry leaders believe the unified GCC visa will increase visitor numbers and open doors for joint events and investment. As regional integration picks up speed, this latest GCC visa news confirms that a unified travel policy is about to become a reality.