GCC Grand Tours Visa for GCC Residents

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What is the GCC Grand Tours Visa?

The GCC Grand Tours Visa is an innovative visa scheme that grants ease of access to the six GCC nations with just one visa. Aimed at non-GCC nationals and foreign tourists alike, this soon-to-be-launched initiative will provide a convenient and cost-effective way to visit multiple GCC countries. Also known as the Unified GCC Tourist Visa (unified tourist visa of the Gulf Cooperation Council), it’s likely that the scheme will create a significant boost for tourism across the six member countries. While in the past a separate visa was required for each country, now one visa will cover all, making trips to multiple GCC countries far easier than ever before. The six GCC countries are: 

  • United Arab Emirates
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • Oman
  • Bahrain
  • Kuwait

Eligibility Criteria for GCC Unified Visa for GCC Residents

Because the GCC Grand Tours visa is yet to be launched, details of the scheme are still being finalised. As soon as the official information is released, we’ll let you know, but in the meantime, let’s take a closer look at what we do know and what is likely, with regard to eligibility criteria.

Visit must include 1 or more of the 6 GCC countries

We already know that to be eligible for the unified GCC tourist visa, applicants must be visiting one or more of the GCC countries, as listed above.

GCC residents will be eligible for the GCC Grand Tours Visa

However, some nationalities might be excluded from this.

Likely to be limited to tourism

It’s highly possible that only tourism and visiting family and friends will be covered by this visa, with business travel likely being ineligible.

Passports may need a certain length of validity

It’s also highly likely that there will be a stipulation for a certain length of passport validity – quite possibly, 6 months. 

You might need to provide travel plans and financial information

We may also see a requirement to show accommodation booking or proof of sufficient finances to support travel. 

There may be further criteria - watch this space for more info…

Could there also be criminal record checks or compulsory insurance requirements? As of now, there have been no official announcements, but we’ll be updating our information as soon as we know.

Required Documents for GCC Residents

All visa applications proceed more smoothly when you have all the documentation ready. So, what paperwork will you likely be asked for when filling out the online application form for the unified GCC visa?

Proof of Residency in a GCC Country

Proof of residency in a GCC country will likely be needed during your application, so have your resident’s permit ready.

Passport

We can presume that a valid passport will definitely be one of the GCC unified visa requirements for GCC residents. There is also a good chance that passports will need at least six months’ validity, so if you’re planning to take advantage of the unified visa for GCC countries soon after it launches, this is certainly something you can take care of now, so your passport is ready for your GCC visa application.

Photograph

It’s also likely that you’ll need to provide a passport-style photograph. This will need to be recent, and probably with a plain background. If you follow the usual guidelines for a passport photograph, paying attention not just to the image but also to the file size and format, your photo should be acceptable.

Details of Your Travels

The GCC visa application process may also include the gathering of information regarding your travel plans. You may need to show proof that you have somewhere to stay, for example, a hotel booking, or details of relatives or friends you are staying with. You could also be asked other questions, such as the purpose of your trip, the places you will be visiting, and the duration of your stay.

E-mail address

As all applications for the GCC grand tours visa will be made online, you will need an accessible email address in order to make your application and receive your visa approval confirmation.

Valid Payment Method

Your application won’t be processed until you’ve paid the fee, so you’ll need to have a valid method of payment ready. We don’t yet know for sure, but we presume that most standard payment types, such as credit and debit cards, as well as digital wallet payments, will be accepted. 

Anything Else?

We’ll update you when we know for sure, but some further documents you may need could include travel insurance, proof of employment, and bank statements to show your ability to fund your trip.                             

How to Submit Your GCC Grand Tours Visa Application Online

For anyone wanting a multiple-country visa to visit the GCC, the GCC visa application process will be far simpler than applying for individual entry visas for each country on your itinerary.

How to Submit Your GCC Grand Tours Visa Application Online

For anyone wanting a multiple-country visa to visit the GCC, the GCC visa application process will be far simpler than applying for individual entry visas for each country on your itinerary.

1

How to Apply for the GCC Unified Visa for GCC Residents and Tourists- Getting Started

Once the scheme has been launched, you can begin the process by visiting the GCC Grand Tours Visa portal.

2

Complete thGCC Grand Tours visa applicatione Application Form

Follow the steps, take your time, and carefully fill out all the required information. You’ll need to input your personal information, and it’s likely that you’ll be asked to provide some details of your travel plans. You will also need to select the type of visa you’re applying for, whether you plan to visit just one GCC country or multiple countries.

3

Upload Your Documentation

You’ll need to submit all the required documents, so be sure to have your passport and travel details at the ready. We don’t yet have a definitive list of documents required, but we will update you as soon as we have any further GCC visa news.

4

Make Your Payment

The cost of the GCC Unified Visa for GCC residents and foreign visitors has not yet been announced, but there will be a fee for this service that you will need to pay online.

5

Wait for Your GCC Visa Application to be Approved

Once you have your approved unified GCC tourist visa, you’re all set to start your trip!

GCC Visa Fees & Processing Time

We are currently waiting for these details to be released. Since the application process is completed entirely online, turnaround times are likely to be quick. We speculate that it will take between 3 and 7 days. However, it’s advisable to start the process well in advance of your trip, as there may be unexpected delays, particularly if the unified visa for GCC countries proves to be very popular.

The GCC unified visa fees for GCC residents have not yet been announced. However, we expect the cost to be in the range of $90 to $130. It is also reasonable to anticipate that a wide variety of payment options will be available, including credit and debit cards, as well as digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a GCC Unified Visa Online for GCC Residents

To ensure a smooth application process, check out our top tips for visa approval…

  • Check that your passport is valid.
  • Make sure you’re submitting all the correct documentation.
  • Ensure photographs are clear and follow the guidelines.
  • Check the required format for document upload.
  • Double-check details such as passport numbers and addresses for errors before submitting.
  • Apply early, don’t leave it to the last minute.
  • Make sure your payment has gone through successfully.

Key Details of the GCC Unified Visa

  • The GCC Unified Visa is an e-Visa for GCC residents and visitors from other countries.
  • The GCC Unified Visa will likely be available as both a single-entry and a multiple-entry visa.
  • Travellers can use the GCC visa for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
  • Travellers will have the option to choose either a visa for a single country or one covering all six countries.
  • Visits to multiple countries are permitted with just a single visa.
  • The GCC Grand Tours Visa scheme will launch later this year.
  • The exact terms have not yet been finalized; however, you can expect the permitted duration of stay to be in the region of 30-90 days, and for the visa to be valid for at least one year.
  • The entire application process can be completed online.

What Makes the GCC Grand Tours Visa Different from Traditional Visas?

GCC Grand Tours Visa Traditional Visa
Can visit multiple countries on one visa Visas are required for each country
The application process is simple and online The application process is often complex and involves visiting the embassy or visa application centers
Application and approval are fast Wait times for appointments and approval can be long
One fee for 6 countries Separate fees for each country

FAQs

While details have not yet been confirmed, it’s unlikely that the Grand Tours Visa will be available upon arrival. We advise submitting your application well in advance of your travel dates, as you will not be admitted to a GCC country without it.

No, the Grand Tour visa is not the same as an Umrah visa. The Umrah visa is specifically issued for performing the Umrah pilgrimage and only permits entry into Saudi Arabia. It cannot be used to travel to any other GCC country

Yes, there are differing rules for visa-free travel for GCC residents based on nationality and other factors. The regulations can be complex, so it’s important to check the specific visa requirements for your nationality before planning your travel.

While we don’t yet have the final details of the requirements for the visa, it is highly likely that everyone in your party will need to apply for a separate Grand Tours Visa.