It will soon be easier to travel between Gulf countries with a new Schengen-style visa

A new tourist visa will be launching soon that will make travelling between countries in the Gulf easier.

The GCC Grand Tours Visa - also known as the Unified Tourist Visa or Unified GCC Visa - was approved in 2023.

It will mean being able to visit Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates with a single permit.

The aim is to streamline travel in the region and make it easier to explore multiple countries in one trip.

Here’s everything we know about when it will launch and how you can apply.

What is the Gulf’s Unified Tourist Visa?

The Unified Tourist Visa will be a single permit that grants entry to all six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

At the moment, travellers are required to apply for separate visas for each country.

With the new system, non-GCC nationals will be able to choose to apply for a single-country or a multi-country option.

The unified visa will be accessed via a single portal, which also means easing the administrative burden on visitors.

To be eligible, the purpose of your visit must be tourism, a short-term stay, or seeing family and friends. The visa does not allow for employment or long-term stays.

The GCC has not yet confirmed the visa’s validity period, but it is expected to range from 30 to 90 days.

The fee has also not yet been announced, but authorities say the new multi-country option will be a cost-effective alternative to the current six separate visas for those wishing to visit all member states.

The Unified Tourist Visa is expected to launch by late 2025 or early 2026.

How can I apply for the Gulf’s Unified Tourist Visa?

The system is not yet live, but once it launches, it will be a fully online process through a dedicated portal.

Travellers will need to supply personal information and details of their trip, including the purpose of their visit, travel dates and intended itinerary such as transportation details between countries.

They will then be asked to select a visa for a single country or multiple Gulf states.

Applicants will need to upload various documents, which are likely to include a copy of a valid passport, a passport-style photo, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, proof of sufficient funds to cover the trip, and a confirmed return or onward travel ticket to a non-GCC destination.

Once approved, the visa will be issued via email - but travellers will also be expected to carry a printed copy with them throughout their trip.