Flying across the Gulf will soon feel like travelling between cities in the same country. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has approved a new ‘one-stop’ travel system that will allow citizens to clear immigration and security checks just once before boarding, with no further procedures on arrival.

The system’s first trial phase will launch between the UAE and Bahrain in December 2025, marking a major step toward seamless regional mobility. Once fully rolled out, the scheme will cover all six GCC countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.

Officials say the initiative will simplify regional air travel by merging immigration and security checks between participating countries. Passengers will simply collect their luggage and exit the airport upon landing, without additional queues or inspection.

While the system will initially apply only to Gulf nationals, the GCC Secretariat has not ruled out expanding it to resident expatriates in future phases.

The move complements the upcoming Schengen-style unified GCC tourist visa, expected to launch next year, which will let international visitors travel freely across the region. Together, these two projects are set to boost tourism, business travel, and economic integration across the Gulf bloc.

When does the ‘one-stop’ system start?
The first trial begins in December 2025 for flights between the UAE and Bahrain.

Who can use it first?
Nationals from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar. Officials have not ruled out expanding the system to include resident expatriates in future.

What does ‘one-stop’ mean?
Travellers complete all immigration and security checks before departure, so they can simply land, grab their bags, and exit,  no extra queues or stamping needed.

How is this different from e-gates?
E-gates speed up checks within one country. The one-stop system links the two GCC countries’ border systems, removing repeated arrival checks altogether.

Is this linked to the new GCC tourist visa?
They’re separate but complementary.

• The unified GCC tourist visa lets international visitors travel across all six Gulf countries on one visa.
• The one-stop system makes flying between GCC states easier for Gulf nationals.

Which airports are included?
Authorities haven’t named them yet, but the trial is expected to cover major airports in both the UAE and Bahrain.

What’s next?
Once the pilot proves successful, the GCC plans to roll it out across all six member states.