GCC to Launch Schengen-Style Unified Tourist Visa by End of 2025
Dubai – The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has announced plans to roll out a **unified tourist visa**, modeled after Europe’s Schengen system, with a pilot launch expected by **late 2025**. The initiative, called **“GCC Grand Tours,”** will allow seamless travel across **Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman** under a single visa.
According to *Gulf News*, GCC Secretary-General **Jasem Al-Budaiwi** confirmed that the visa framework is in its final approval stages and will soon be available through a **dedicated digital platform**.
While GCC citizens already enjoy visa-free travel within the region, this scheme is primarily aimed at **millions of expatriate residents**, making it cheaper, easier, and longer in duration compared to obtaining six separate visas.
UAE’s Minister of Economy, **Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri**, emphasized that both residents and citizens would benefit from smoother mobility, further enhancing the role of documents like the Emirates ID.
Though details are still being finalized, the visa is expected to offer options ranging from **30 to 90 days**, covering either individual member states or the entire bloc.
### Boosting Regional Tourism
The joint visa aims to strengthen the GCC’s position as a **unified tourist destination**, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, cutting costs, and encouraging cross-border travel. It comes after GCC ministers approved the concept in late 2023.
The UAE, already a tourism hub, is investing heavily in infrastructure, including the **Etihad Rail passenger train project** set to connect all seven emirates by 2026. The unified visa is seen as complementing such developments.
### Challenges Ahead
Authorities are still working on harmonizing **security and technology protocols** across all six countries. The structure is nearly finalized, but specific application criteria remain under review. A key meeting in Riyadh in June 2025 reaffirmed the commitment to resolving these issues.
### A Game-Changer for GCC Residents
For expatriates in the UAE and other Gulf states, the visa will eliminate the need to apply separately for each country. Currently, while GCC nationals travel freely, foreign residents often face varied visa requirements. Some recent measures, such as Kuwait’s decision in 2024 to allow visa-on-arrival for GCC residents and the UAE’s 30-day e-visa facility, have paved the way for greater regional mobility.
### Religious and Cultural Tourism
Saudi Arabia, a global hub for **religious tourism**, could integrate pilgrimage with broader cultural experiences. Experts suggest multi-country packages combining destinations like **Jeddah, AlUla, Dubai, and Muscat** could attract longer stays.
Speaking to *Arab News*, **Raymond Khoury of Arthur D. Little Middle East** noted that GCC’s unified visa could turn airports in Riyadh and Jeddah into major transit hubs, offering travelers a richer, multi-destination experience.
