The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait have officially approved the launch of a unified tourist visa for travelers wishing to explore these six Gulf nations.

Modeled after the Schengen visa system, this long-awaited “GCC Grand Tours Visa” will allow visitors to travel across all six member states with a single visa, removing the need for separate applications for each country.

Major development in Gulf tourism was confirmed by UAE Minister of Economy, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, on June 16, 2025, at the UAE Hospitality Summer Camp.

Approval and Implementation

Minister Al Marri confirmed that the unified tourist visa has been formally approved and is currently awaiting implementation. According to his statement, the visa is now under review by the Ministry of Interior and relevant stakeholders, with implementation expected to occur soon. This visa will simplify the process of traveling between the GCC member states, enhancing both tourism and regional cooperation.

Seamless Travel Across Six Nations: The primary benefit of the unified GCC tourist visa is that travelers will no longer need to apply for multiple visas to visit different countries in the region. This streamlined process will make cross-border travel more convenient for tourists from around the world.

Boost to Regional Tourism: By removing visa barriers, the initiative is expected to stimulate tourism throughout the GCC. With the ability to travel freely between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait, tourists can enjoy more extensive travel itineraries within the region.

Economic Impact: Tourism leaders are optimistic that the unified visa will significantly boost the Gulf’s hospitality and tourism industries, creating new economic opportunities. Increased visitor numbers are expected to lead to a rise in demand for accommodation, transportation, and other travel-related services.

Increased Business and Leisure Travel (Bleisure): Another promising outcome of this visa is the potential growth of “bleisure” travel, where business travelers extend their trips to explore tourist destinations. This trend could result in longer stays, higher spending, and a broader economic impact across the region.

Projected Impact on Tourism

The GCC nations are anticipating significant increases in tourism arrivals as a result of the unified visa. According to projections from tourism authorities, the number of visitors to the Gulf region could soar to 128.7 million by 2030. This increase is expected to generate substantial economic benefits, including the creation of jobs in the tourism, hospitality, and transportation sectors.

Dubai’s Growth: Dubai, as a key tourism hub in the UAE, continues to lead the region in visitor numbers. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Dubai saw 7.15 million visitors, a 7% year-on-year increase. With the introduction of the unified GCC tourist visa, other countries in the region are poised to benefit from this rising tide of visitors, promoting broader regional tourism and greater economic integration.

Wider Regional Impact: Authorities in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait are similarly optimistic about the unified visa’s potential to drive growth in their local economies. By encouraging more regional travel, the visa will help to diversify tourism offerings, attract international travelers, and strengthen the GCC’s position as a global tourist destination.

As of now, the GCC Grand Tours Visa is in its final stages of approval. UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri highlighted the importance of this initiative in attracting international tourists to the region and providing them with the opportunity to experience the diverse cultures, landscapes, and attractions of the six GCC countries.

In addition to improving tourism access, the unified visa is expected to bring cultural exchange opportunities between GCC nations. The implementation of this visa could also be a stepping stone for further regional integration in terms of tourism infrastructure, policy alignment, and economic cooperation.

Conclusion

The launch of the unified GCC Grand Tours Visa represents a monumental shift in regional tourism within the Gulf Cooperation Council. With its approval, travelers will soon be able to explore the rich diversity of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait with a single visa, simplifying travel and stimulating economic growth across the region.

As the implementation process moves forward, the GCC countries are expected to witness a significant rise in tourism numbers, with both leisure and business travelers benefiting from easier access to multiple destinations.

This initiative is set to reshape the future of tourism in the Gulf, making the region an even more attractive destination for global visitors. (TTW, but headline rejigged)