The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has officially approved a long-anticipated unified tourist visa, marking a major milestone toward integrated regional travel across the six member states: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.
Announced by UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri on June 16, 2025, the visa is expected to be launched in the near future. “The single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and is now awaiting implementation. It’s currently with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant stakeholders,” Al Marri confirmed at a press briefing.
Informally dubbed the “GCC Grand Tours Visa,” the initiative is modeled on Europe’s Schengen system and will allow tourists to visit all six Gulf countries under a single entry permit. By eliminating the need for separate visas, the initiative aims to simplify travel and enhance the region’s global tourism appeal.
A Game-Changer for Gulf Tourism
Industry leaders across the travel and hospitality sectors have praised the move as a transformative step for regional tourism. The unified visa is expected to improve ease of movement, promote multi-destination travel, and increase the region’s competitiveness in attracting global visitors.
Among the anticipated trends is a rise in “bleisure” travel, where business travelers extend their stay for leisure activities across multiple countries. This could lead to longer average stays and wider tourism-related spending throughout the region.
Economic Impact and Broader Integration
Beyond boosting tourism numbers, the unified visa is projected to unlock broader economic opportunities. Experts predict increased investment in hospitality, infrastructure, and travel services, alongside greater collaboration among the GCC nations to position the bloc as a cohesive, world-class tourism destination.
A Region on the Rise
According to data from the GCC Statistical Centre:
The region welcomed 68.1 million visitors in 2023
Generated $110.4 billion in tourism revenue
Recorded a 42.8% increase in arrivals compared to 2019
Dubai continues to play a leading role in the GCC’s tourism recovery. From January to April 2025, the emirate received 7.15 million visitors, reflecting a 7% year-on-year growth.
As the unified visa prepares for rollout, the tourism momentum is expected to extend beyond Dubai, encouraging broader exploration of the Gulf and supporting a more balanced distribution of visitors across all six nations.
Source: The Economic Times
