What is the GCC Grand Tours Visa?
The GCC Grand Tours Visa, also known as the Unified GCC Tourist Visa, is a new visa scheme announced in 2023 by the six countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. The Unified GCC Visa will give travelers from non-GCC countries the opportunity to travel to one or all of the six Gulf countries using a single visa.
The GCC countries introduced the visa scheme in a joint effort to increase tourism across the Gulf region. It is also expected to simplify the application process for visitors and will enable them to travel between Gulf countries without needing to apply for multiple visas. Although the Unified GCC visa scheme has not yet launched, the latest GCC visa news has announced that a pilot phase of the visa will launch in the fourth quarter of 2025.
GCC Unified Visa Eligibility Criteria
The GCC Unified Visa eligibility criteria have not yet been officially announced, but it is expected to include:
Valid documents
Eligible individuals will need to submit all the required documents as part of their application (e.g., passport and photograph). Not having the required documents will make you ineligible for the visa.
Purpose of travel
Eligibility for the GCC Unified Visa will be dependent on the purpose of travel. The reason for traveling to the Gulf Region must comply with the approved travel purposes for the Gulf Visa. For example, tourism and visiting family and friends are acceptable travel purposes, but if an applicant intends to work in a Gulf country, they will not be eligible for the visa.
Criminal history
Although not yet officially announced, it could be that individuals with a criminal record (particularly crimes considered violent or high risk) may not be eligible for the Unified Visa.
Previous visa violations
Previously violating the terms of a visa or overstaying a visa can affect an applicant’s eligibility.
Who Can Apply for the GCC Visa?
The Unified Tourist Visa “GCC Grand Tours Visa” is intended for non-GCC nationals who are traveling to one or more of the six GCC countries.
However, passport holders from any of the GCC countries will not need to apply for the Grand Tours Visa if visiting any of the other GCC countries. Consult the Gulf countries list below for information on who will be exempt from the visa:
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Oman
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
However, no information is yet available as to the eligibility for GCC Unified Visa for residents of GCC countries. GCC residents who do not hold a passport from a GCC country will be required to obtain the Unified Visa before traveling to other GCC countries. It is also unknown whether the visa will be available to travelers from every country or whether some restrictions will apply.
Required Documents
As part of the GCC Unified Visa application process, applicants will need to submit specific documents. Although the confirmed list of documents has not been released yet, based on other visa requirements in the Gulf region, the list of documents is expected to include:
The Unified GCC Tourist Visa application may also require other documents, for example:
- Proof of onward travel (e.g., a confirmed flight out of the GCC region).
- Proof of travel insurance.
- Proof that the applicant can financially support themselves during their stay in the GCC region.
- Travel information (e.g., planned activities, hotel bookings).
There may also be different requirements for GCC residents applying for a Unified Visa. For example, they may need to provide proof of residency.
How to Apply for the GCC Unified Visa
The GCC Unified Visa application process will be completely digital, meaning applicants will need to apply online. Online visa applications are quick and easy to complete, and the application process is expected to be straightforward. The process is laid out in the steps below:
How to Apply for the GCC Unified Visa
The GCC Unified Visa application process will be completely digital, meaning applicants will need to apply online. Online visa applications are quick and easy to complete, and the application process is expected to be straightforward. The process is laid out in the steps below:
1
Fill in the application form
Once launched, the application form can be completed online, in just a few short minutes. You will need to navigate to the ‘Application’ section of the website and fill out all the necessary information, including:
- Personal information (e.g., name, gender, date of birth, nationality, etc).
- Passport information.
- Contact information (including a valid email address).
- Information about your visit to the GCC region.
2
Upload the required documents
The documents listed above will need to be uploaded as part of the application. It is important to comply with size requirements and upload them in the required format (e.g., JPEG, PNG, etc).
3
Pay the application fee
When applying for the GCC Unified Visa online, applicants will need to pay a visa fee. The fee must be paid online before the application is submitted.
4
Submit the application
Once the application is complete, the documents have been uploaded, and the visa fee has been paid, it is time to submit the application. Updates about the application and the final visa decision will be sent to the email address you provide as part of your application, so it is important to supply a valid email address.
GCC Visa Fees & Processing Time
The GCC visa fees have not yet been announced, but the GCC Unified Visa latest news expects the visa to be priced reasonably. possibly ranging from $90 to $130. The approved payment methods will likely include Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
Although the processing time has also not yet been announced, based on other Tourist Visas in the Gulf Region, it could be as low as a few days. However, it is always recommended to apply in advance of the planned travel date, as different factors may impact processing times, such as:
- Errors in the application.
- Public holidays and religious celebrations in the GCC region.
- Higher than expected number of applications.
Key Details of the GCC Grand Tours Visa
The Unified Visa for GCC countries is expected to have two options available: a visa that allows entry to one GCC country and a visa that allows entry to all six GCC countries. Applicants can choose based on their travel plans.
The GCC Unified Visa validity period has not yet been announced, but it is expected to offer a validity period of up to 90 days for a single-entry visa and up to a year for a multiple-entry visa. It is also expected that the single-entry visa will have a permitted duration of stay of up to 30 days and up to 90 days for the multiple-entry visa.
A pilot phase of the GCC Grand Tours Visa will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2025, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri (the UAE’s Minister of Economy and Tourism) announced in July 2025. Once the pilot phase has been implemented successfully and any issues have been ironed out, it is expected that the visa scheme will be officially launched.
FAQs
Yes, the Grand Tours Visa is expected to work in a very similar way to the Schengen Visa in Europe, which allows travelers to move freely within the 29 European countries in the Schengen Area. In much the same way, the Grand Tours Visa will allow visa holders to travel freely within the GCC region.
The GCC Unified Visa scheme has not yet officially launched, and applications are not yet available. If you are traveling to the GCC region before the Unified Visa is launched, you will need to apply for a different type of visa for each of the countries you are traveling to.