One Visa Six Countries: GCC Grand Tourist Visa to Launch Soon

The long-awaited GCC unified tourist visa, modeled after Europe’s Schengen system, is expected to enter its pilot phase by the fourth quarter of 2025, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri announced.

In an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Marri said the initiative represents a “strategic step toward deeper regional integration,” adding that it will strengthen the Gulf region’s position as a single, interconnected tourism destination.

Earlier, GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi confirmed that the unified visa system is in its final approval stage, with applications soon to be available through a digital platform.

Surge in Tourism and Economic Growth

The UAE’s rapidly expanding tourism sector highlights the timeliness of the unified visa rollout.

By mid-September 2025, commercial licenses issued in key tourism-related industries — including hospitality, aviation, transport, and digital tourism services — had surged to 39,546, marking a 275% increase since 2020.

Al Marri attributed this rise to the UAE’s economic reforms, which continue to attract global investors and strengthen the tourism ecosystem. He reaffirmed that tourism remains a pillar of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to welcome 40 million hotel guests annually and raise the sector’s GDP contribution to Dh450 billion by the decade’s end.

One Visa for Six Countries

Known as the GCC Grand Tourist Visa, the unified travel document will allow visitors to move freely between all six member states — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain — using a single entry permit. The visa, approved by GCC ministers in 2023, will be supported by an integrated digital application platform designed to simplify cross-border travel planning.

Al-Budaiwi said the project is now in its final technical and digital implementation phase and will serve as a “key driver of tourism and economic cooperation” across the Gulf.

Al Marri added that the initiative will not only boost regional tourism but also enhance the GCC’s standing as a unified global destination. The rollout will begin with a pilot program at the end of 2025, followed by full implementation across all member states.

GCC as a Regional Tourism Powerhouse

The Gulf already serves as one of the UAE’s largest source markets. In 2024, the UAE hosted 3.3 million visitors from other GCC nations, accounting for 11% of total hotel guests.

Breakdown of GCC visitors to the UAE:

• Saudi Arabia: 1.9 million (58%)
• Oman: 777,000 (24%)
• Kuwait: 381,000 (12%)
• Bahrain: 123,000 (4%)
• Qatar: 93,000 (3%)

Officials expect these figures to rise sharply once the unified visa is launched, easing travel restrictions and encouraging greater regional mobility.

UAE Expands Tourism Initiatives

Beyond the unified visa, the UAE is pursuing multiple initiatives to further strengthen its tourism ecosystem.

These include:

• The sixth edition of the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign launching in December to boost domestic tourism.
• The UAE–Africa Tourism Investment Summit in October, held alongside the Future Hospitality Summit, to enhance international tourism partnerships.
• New training programs for Emirati professionals in the hospitality sector.
• Incentive schemes for tourism startups and digital innovation in travel technology.

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The long-awaited GCC unified tourist visa, modeled after Europe’s Schengen system, is expected to enter its pilot phase by the… Read More

The post One Visa Six Countries: GCC Grand Tourist Visa to Launch Soon appeared first on ProPakistani.