One Visa to Travel 6 Countries

Riyadh – In a move set to revolutionize tourism in the Gulf region, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is accelerating efforts to launch a unified tourist visa that would allow travelers to visit all six member countries with a single permit. The initiative—officially known as the GCC Grand Tours Visa—aims to streamline travel, promote intra-regional tourism, and position the Gulf as a globally attractive tourist destination.

During the 39th Meeting of the Directors-General of Passports held at the GCC General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday, July 2, GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi confirmed significant progress. He noted that passport departments across all member states

United Arab Emirates

Saudi Arabia

Qatar

Bahrain

Kuwait

Oman is participating in technical meetings to finalize the visa’s operational framework.

“Everyone is working as one team to keep pace with technological developments and security requirements in a world characterised by rapid change,” said Albudaiwi.

He praised the collaborative spirit among member nations, highlighting that the shared visa aligns with the broader vision of GCC leaders to deepen regional cooperation and economic diversification.

What is the GCC Grand Tours Visa?

The proposed visa, inspired by the Schengen visa model in Europe, was formally approved during the 40th GCC Interior Ministers’ meeting in Oman in November 2023. Once implemented, it will:

• Allow travel across all six GCC countries with one visa

• Be valid for tourism and family visits only

• Offer a validity period of 30 to 90 days

• Include an online application via a unified platform

• Permit access to one or multiple countries based on traveler preference

Benefits of the Unified Visa

The GCC Grand Tours Visa is expected to:

• Boost the Gulf’s appeal to global tourists

• Encourage intra-regional tourism

• Simplify travel formalities and reduce visa costs

• Enhance economic integration and tourism revenues across the Gulf

While an official launch date has not yet been announced, the plan is viewed as a major leap forward in regional mobility and hospitality.

As the GCC pushes forward, travelers and businesses alike are hopeful that this one-visa model will open new opportunities and experiences across the Gulf’s rich cultural and economic landscapes.

This article is published by Crime Today News ©