The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has approved a new single-point travel system designed to make air travel between member states as seamless as a domestic flight. The initiative will launch its first phase in December 2025, piloting a route between the UAE and Bahrain for Gulf citizens. This move aims to eliminate redundant arrival checks by merging immigration and security procedures into a single process at the departure airport.
How the Single-Point System Works
Under the new framework, coordinated by Gulf Interior Ministries, eligible travellers will complete all necessary border, identity, and security screenings at one checkpoint before they board their flight. This integrated process means that upon landing in a participating GCC country, passengers can proceed directly to baggage claim and exit the airport without any further immigration formalities, similar to arriving on a domestic service.
The system consolidates immigration and security screening, and may also align customs procedures between the participating nations. While officials have confirmed the goal is to remove duplicate inspections upon arrival, the exact operational details, such as dedicated airport lanes or digital ID requirements, have not yet been disclosed. This joint clearance model differs significantly from existing e-gates or smart gates, which are country-specific systems designed only to speed up processes within a single nation.
Eligibility and Scope of the Initiative
According to the official announcement, the initial phase of the single-point system will apply exclusively to citizens of the six GCC states: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. It has not yet been clarified if eligibility will be extended to include expatriate residents in subsequent stages of the rollout.
This processing system is a separate but complementary project to the forthcoming unified GCC tourist visa. While the single-point system focuses on simplifying travel procedures for Gulf nationals moving within the region, the unified GCC tourist visa is a single entry permit for international visitors, allowing them to travel freely across all six member countries. Both initiatives share the strategic objective of making the Gulf bloc a more integrated and accessible travel destination.
Pilot Phase and Future Expansion
The trial for the new system is scheduled to begin in December 2025, focusing on air travel between the UAE and Bahrain. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi confirmed the timeline, stating this initial phase will serve as the pilot for a wider implementation. Authorities have not yet specified which international airports in the two countries will be included in the trial.
Following a successful evaluation of the UAE-Bahrain pilot, the GCC Secretariat plans to expand the model to include all six member states. A definitive timeline for this broader expansion has not been established. The project represents a significant step towards greater regional integration, aiming to boost both tourism and business travel by simplifying cross-border movement.
