A unified tourist visa for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set for a pilot launch in the final quarter of 2025, according to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy and Tourism. The system, often compared to Europe’s Schengen visa, will allow travellers to visit all six member states using a single permit.
Al Marri described the initiative as a “strategic step towards deeper regional integration” that would bolster the Gulf’s appeal as a unified tourism destination. The visa, which was approved by GCC ministers in 2023, will cover travel to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Jassim Al-Budaiwi, the GCC Secretary-General, confirmed the visa is in its final approval stages, with applications to be managed through a dedicated digital platform.
A Catalyst for Growth
The introduction of the GCC Grand Tourist Visa coincides with significant growth in the UAE’s tourism sector. By mid-September 2025, the number of commercial licences in key tourism-related fields had reached 39,546, a 275 percent increase since 2020. These sectors include hospitality, aviation, and digital tourism services.
Al Marri attributed this surge to reforms in business and investment regulations that continue to attract international companies and capital. He reiterated that tourism is a core component of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to attract 40 million hotel guests annually and increase the sector’s contribution to the national GDP to Dh450 billion by the decade’s end.
Intra-Regional Travel
The Gulf is already a significant source market for tourism within the region. In 2024, the UAE received 3.3 million visitors from other GCC countries, representing 11 percent of all hotel guests. Travellers from Saudi Arabia accounted for the largest share at 1.9 million, followed by Oman with 777,000 and Kuwait with 381,000 visitors.
The new visa is expected to substantially increase these numbers by simplifying travel arrangements for tourists planning multi-country itineraries. This change is anticipated to create new opportunities for airlines, hotels, and tour operators across the Gulf.
The system will be introduced in phases, beginning with the pilot programme late next year before a full rollout across the bloc. This approach allows for technical and digital implementation to be finalised, ensuring a smooth process for future visitors.