GCC to Launch Unified Tourist Visa Allowing Travel Across Six Gulf States

Riyadh: The **Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)** has announced a landmark decision to introduce a **single tourist visa** that will allow travelers to visit **six Gulf countries**—the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman—on one visa.

The initiative, modeled on the **Schengen system**, is set to be launched on a **trial basis by the end of 2025**, before being fully implemented.

GCC Secretary-General **Jassim Al-Budaiwi** confirmed that the project is in its final stages and will soon be accessible through a **digital application platform**.

The unified visa will significantly benefit both **residents of GCC states** and **expatriates living in the region**, eliminating the need to apply for separate visas for each country. This will result in **time and cost savings** for travelers.

The visa is expected to be valid for **30 to 90 days**, facilitating travel for **tourism, business, culture, and research**, while also boosting the region’s economy.