Dubai: Imagine applying for a single visa, and gaining the ability to visit all six Gulf nations. This is the Unified GCC Visa, and it is set to launch soon, making travel across the Gulf region easier and cheaper for residents.

Here is all you need to know about this upcoming visa system.

What is the Unified GCC Visa?

The Unified GCC Visa, also sometimes known as the GCC Grand Tours Visa, is an initiative introduced by Gulf countries as a key part of their Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Joint Tourism Strategy 2023-2030 – a collaborative plan established by the member states to transform the region into a premier global destination.

Functioning like Europe’s Schengen visa, the new visa will allow eligible travellers – non-GCC citizens who are residents of Gulf countries, as well as tourists – to journey between Gulf nations on a single visa, supporting easier administration, faster processing, and more efficient movement.

Currently, only GCC citizens enjoy visa-free travel across the Gulf. As a GCC resident, you are required to apply for separate e-visas for Gulf countries, each with its own fees and eligibility criteria.

When will it be launched?

The Unified GCC Visa was officially approved by GCC countries – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar – in November 2023, in an effort to promote tourism and make it more convenient for tourists and non-GCC nationals living in the Gulf to explore other countries in the region.

Although a targeted rollout was originally planned between 2024 and 2025, the launch has been delayed to the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to the readiness of each country’s internal systems, and once specific legislations for the visa are in place. The exact date for the launch has not yet been confirmed.

Expected benefits for Unified GCC Visa holders

Multi-country travel: Visa holders would be able to travel seamlessly across the six GCC countries on a single visa, eliminating the need for multiple applications, and reducing administrative load.

Simplified application process: The Unified GCC Visa eliminates the need to fill in and submit separate application forms for multiple destinations within the Gulf. Requiring reduced time and effort, the streamlined application process is expected to take mere minutes, and can be completed online.

Opportunity for tourism: By opening doors to all six Gulf countries, the visa allows greater opportunities for regional tourism, allowing visitors to explore culturally rich, diverse nations.

Extended stays: Currently, residents of other GCC countries visiting the UAE are allowed entry for 30 days (extendable for another 30 days) when they obtain an e-visa. The Unified GCC Visa is expected to increase visa validity from 30 to 90 days, giving tourists the opportunity to fully explore and immerse themselves in regional cultures.

Cost-effective system: Since the new visa process requires a single application, it is expected to be far cheaper than applying for separate visas for each Gulf country.

Required documents

Although the requisite documents for visa application have not been announced, Ras Al Khaimah’s official tourism website outlines the following list of documents as a standard requirement for the Unified GCC Visa. Final details are likely to be announced during the visa program’s official launch.