Unique GCC tourist visa coming soon: What the „Gulf Schengen“ will bring“
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is soon planning to launch a single tourist visa that will cover all six member countries – the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. This new visa is expected to significantly ease travel within the region and encourage longer stays for tourists.
According to the latest information from the technical meetings of the GCC interior ministers, all key elements have already been agreed, and implementation could begin at the end of 2025. This visa is already being called the „Gulf Schengen“ by many as it allows multiple entries into different member countries without the need for additional applications.
The main idea is simplicity – travellers will be able to submit an online application, attach basic documents such as a scanned passport, proof of funds and health insurance, and the application and issuance itself will be digitised.
The GCC countries' tourism sector has been investing in diversifying its offerings for years – from luxury cities, cultural and sporting events to desert safari tours. With a unique visa, tourists will be able to combine multiple destinations in one visit, which opens up room for longer stays and increased spending within the region.
According to GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi, the aim is to create an integrated tourism market that competes with globally renowned regions like the EU. In the long term, an increase in „bleisure“ travel – the combination of business trips with private holidays – is also expected.
Although the exact launch date and details such as price and validity are still awaited, the first signals clearly indicate that this initiative will be a strong boost for the entire Gulf region. The introduction of a unified visa removes many bureaucratic obstacles and brings the GCC countries closer to global trends of freer passenger movement.
For all those planning a visit to this part of the world, the new visa means more flexibility, easier planning, and an opportunity to explore futuristic cities, historic locations, and natural beauties across multiple destinations in a single trip.
