GCC Set to Launch Unified Tourist Visa by Year-End

Progress continues on the unified Gulf tourist visa project as officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council confirmed that technical preparations are advancing steadily.

During a joint press conference held after the 164th Ministerial Council meeting in Kuwait, Secretary-General of the GCC Jassim Al-Budaiwi expressed optimism about the timeline for the visa’s implementation. 

He stated that the goal remains to complete and approve the system before the end of 2025.

The announcement came following discussions led by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, who chaired the council session. 

The meeting brought together key officials to review shared political and economic matters and focused heavily on strategies for deeper regional cooperation. Al-Yahya described the gathering as productive and reflective of the shared commitment to joint Gulf initiatives.

The unified visa aims to simplify travel across GCC countries by allowing tourists to move between member states under a single entry document. The system is expected to boost tourism and business activity in the region by streamlining cross-border movement.

While broader political and territorial issues were also addressed at the meeting, including maritime boundaries and regional relations, the unified visa project stood out as a key milestone in advancing joint Gulf efforts. Officials confirmed that technical systems are nearing completion and preparations remain aligned with the planned timeline.

The visa will mark a new chapter in regional mobility across GCC member states and is part of wider efforts to strengthen integration on both the economic and social levels.