Dubai: The long-anticipated Gulf unified visa, a single entry permit allowing travel across all six GCC countries, is expected to launch next year, marking a major leap toward regional integration and a connected tourism economy.
The announcement was made by Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb during the Gulf Gateway Investment Forum in Manama, where he confirmed that the initiative had reached a “major milestone” after four years of coordinated work among Gulf governments.
Al-Khateeb said the unified visa, officially titled the GCC Grand Tours Visa, will enable travellers to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman through a single application—mirroring the Schengen model in Europe.
He described the move as part of a “historic transformation” in the Gulf’s tourism landscape, emphasizing the region’s rich cultural heritage, modern infrastructure, and safe environment as key factors positioning it among the world’s premier destinations.
Highlighting the economic potential, the minister revealed that the Gulf’s four major airlines carried nearly 150 million passengers last year, though only 70 million traveled within the region—a gap he said represents “a major opportunity to strengthen connectivity and integration among GCC destinations.”
The unified visa initiative, first approved by GCC interior ministers in Oman in November 2023, is expected to redefine how visitors experience the Gulf, opening doors to multi-destination travel and deeper cultural exchange across the region.
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