Travel across the Gulf is about to get a whole lot easier. The long-awaited GCC Unified Tourist Visa, officially branded as “GCC Grand Tours,” is finally moving closer to reality, with a trial launch planned for the end of this year.

The new Schengen-style visa will allow visitors and residents of the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, to travel freely across borders under a single permit.

A region without borders (almost)

Approved in late 2023 after years of coordination, the visa represents one of the most ambitious tourism initiatives in GCC history. Officials say it will not only simplify regional travel but also boost tourism and economic integration across the Gulf.

According to UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the system will first roll out as a trial later this year, with full implementation expected in 2026.

During the trial phase, travellers will be able to apply online through a unified digital platform. The visa is expected to offer multi-country access, possibly with options for one-country or six-country entry, and a validity period between 30 and 90 days.

One visa, six destinations

While GCC citizens already enjoy visa-free travel within the region, the GCC Grand Tours Visa is designed for the millions of expatriates living in the Gulf, making cross-border travel far easier and more affordable.

It’s also expected to reduce costs, extend validity, and offer a single approval process instead of multiple embassy applications.

Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb described the initiative as a major step toward “creating a unified Gulf tourism experience.”

What it means for UAE travellers

For UAE residents, this could be a game-changer. Currently, travel rules differ by country; for instance, residents often need separate visas to visit Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, or Oman, depending on their nationality and profession.

Under the new system, a UAE resident could soon travel freely across the Gulf using a single permit, possibly even linked to their Emirates ID.

Al Marri previously hinted,

“A resident of Saudi Arabia, for instance, can enter the UAE and vice versa. That’s where we see the future of GCC tourism.”

A unified tourism vision

The visa supports the Gulf’s wider tourism goals, from Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Oman’s Vision 2040 to the UAE’s Economic Agenda D33, all of which aim to strengthen regional mobility, tourism infrastructure, and investment opportunities.

For now, UAE authorities are preparing to launch a national tourist route connecting all seven emirates, ensuring that when Gulf borders open up, the country’s own attractions are equally accessible.

Looks like your next Gulf getaway could soon be just one visa away.