The GCC Grand Tours Visa, also called the GCC Unified Visa, is a new visa scheme being introduced by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that will allow visitors from a non-GCC country to visit one, more than one, or all of the six GCC countries using one visa and one simple online application. The GCC countries are the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
The GCC Grand Tours Visa is expected to be similar to the Schengen visa, which allows travel across all the European countries in the Schengen Area using one single visa. The introduction of this new visa scheme is expected to transform the tourism industry in the GCC region, as it will allow visitors to travel freely across the GCC region, to as many of the six countries as they want, using just one visa.
How to Apply for the GCC Grand Tours Visa
Although the application process has not yet been finalized and applications are not yet open, when the visa launches, applicants will be able to apply using the online application form on 3the GCC Grand Tours Visa website. It is expected that the GCC Unified Visa application process will be quick and easy, and the steps are likely to be as follows:
How to Apply for the GCC Grand Tours Visa
Although the application process has not yet been finalized and applications are not yet open, when the visa launches, applicants will be able to apply using the online application form on 3the GCC Grand Tours Visa website. It is expected that the GCC Unified Visa application process will be quick and easy, and the steps are likely to be as follows:
1
Complete the GCC Grand Tours visa application form
Applicants will be able to complete the online GCC visa application form on the GCC Grand Tours Visa portal in just a few minutes.
2
Upload the required documents
Applicants will need to upload all the required documents in the format that is specified on the application form (e.g., JPEG, PNG, PDF, etc). Uploads will also need to comply with size requirements.
3
Pay the application fee
The Unified Visa for GCC countries application fee will likely be payable via debit or credit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
4
Submit the application
Once the GCC visa application form has been completed and payment has been made, the application can be submitted. The approved unified GCC Tourist Visa will then be sent to the applicant’s email address.
Are You Eligible?
No official announcements have been released confirming exactly who will be eligible for the Unified Tourist Visa of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). However, it is expected to be aimed at visitors traveling to the GCC region for tourism purposes, with those traveling for other purposes, such as work, being ineligible.
Citizens of GCC countries will be exempted from the visa, and it is expected that some individuals may be ineligible to apply or may be refused the visa, for example:
- Individuals with passports that have less than six months of validity.
- Individuals with a criminal record (particularly for crimes considered dangerous or high-risk, such as terrorism and drug offences).
- Those with a history of visa violations.
It could also be that the visa is only available to people of certain nationalities, although this has not yet been announced.
Required Documents for the Application
Although the GCC member countries have not yet released a full list of the necessary documents, the following documents are expected to be required:
Visa Fees & Processing Times
The GCC has not yet announced the fees associated with this visa, although it is expected to be priced fairly. Similarly, the processing times have not yet been announced, although it could be as low as a few days. However, applicants should always apply in advance of their planned travel date, in case of any delays or issues with their application.
How Long is the GCC Grand Tours Visa Valid?
The exact validity period of the Unified Tourist Visa, or the GCC Grand Tours visa, has not yet been announced, but it is expected to offer extended validity, with many estimating a 90-day validity period.
The duration of stay for the visa is expected to be at least 30 days, in either one GCC country or multiple countries in the GCC region. It is not yet known whether visa extensions will be available.
GCC Grand Tours Visa: Key Details
While no official launch date has yet been announced, the most recent GCC visa news anticipates that the GCC Grand Tours Visa will launch by the end of 2025.
The visa was introduced as a collective effort to increase travel to the GCC region, and there are expected to be multiple benefits to both travelers and the GCC countries:
Easier travel within the GCC area
The visa allows visitors to travel easily within the GCC area, without needing to apply for multiple visas. Traveling between the countries with one visa will be easier and much more achievable than before.
More cost-effective
Instead of applying for multiple visas and paying several different visa costs, applicants can pay one cost-effective visa fee online and receive access to all six GCC countries. This makes travel within the GCC area much more affordable.
Easy application process
The application process for the Unified GCC Tourist Visa will be completely online, and the application process is expected to be quick and simple. This will mean travelers to the GCC area will have fewer hoops to jump through, and less administrative effort is required to apply for a visa to the region.
Increase in tourism
The GCC Grand Tours Visa is expected to boost the tourism industry in GCC countries and make travel easier than ever for non-nationals. The introduction of the visa scheme is expected to result in increased tourism, which should, in turn, boost the local economy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid for a Successful Application
Common mistakes when applying for a visa include:
- An incomplete application form.
- Errors on the application form.
- Failure to provide all the necessary documentation.
- Not enough validity on the applicant’s passport.
- Planning activities that don’t comply with the approved travel purpose (e.g., planning to work while in a GCC country).
FAQs About GCC Grand Tours Visa
Applicants can apply for a Unified GCC visa online through our website. Applications will open on our website as soon as the visa has been officially launched.
No. Because the UAE is one of the six Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) member states, travellers who hold the forthcoming Unified GCC Tourist Visa (also marketed as the GCC Grand Tours Visa) will not need an additional permit to enter the UAE. Current guidance indicates that applicants will be able to choose between:
- A multi-country visa that covers all six GCC nations (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman); or
- A single-country visa valid for one GCC state of their choice.
Even if you only plan to visit the UAE, you may still opt for the multi-country Grand Tours visa if you want the flexibility to add stops in neighbouring countries later on.
The official launch date has not yet been confirmed, and the GCC Unified Visa application is not open at this time. However, the latest updates suggest that the visa is expected to launch by the end of 2025. GCC Visa news is constantly being released, and our website will be updated as soon as more information is released.
Apply for the GCC Visa
The Unified GCC visa is expected to revolutionize tourism in the GCC region and make travel to the region easier than ever. With this visa, travelers can experience the magic of the Gulf region. Be among the first to apply for the Unified GCC Visa when applications open.
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