What Exactly Is the Unified GCC Visa?
The Unified Tourist Visa “GCC Grand Tours” is a travel document that will let you move freely between the 6 Gulf countries that form the GCC. Instead of applying for a visa for each one, you get a single visa that covers all six GCC nations. Think of it like a joint effort by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to make travel smoother for tourists.
If you’ve ever thought about hopping between Dubai’s skyscrapers, Oman’s rugged mountains, and Saudi Arabia’s ancient sites in 2025, things just got easier. The Unified GCC Tourist Visa, also called the GCC Grand Tours Visa, is finally nearing to be here. It’s basically the Gulf’s version of a Schengen visa, one pass to travel across multiple countries.
This visa will let you explore several Gulf nations without having to deal with separate visa applications for each. You’ll be able to visit Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, all under one travel permit. The aim? To make tourism in the GCC more convenient and way more appealing for international travelers.
This new setup is meant to boost regional tourism by making it easier (and cheaper) to plan multi-country trips. Whether you’re into luxury shopping, heritage sites, desert safaris, or coastal cities, this visa will help you do more with less hassle.
The visa will not be meant for work or long stays. It will likely be strictly for tourism or short family visits only.
GCC Visa Requirements You’ll Need to Meet
Official GCC visa requirements are yet to be disclosed. However, based on the requirements of similar visas, the GCC visa requirements might be as follows.
Here’s what you might need when applying.
GCC Unified Visa Required Documents
The GCC Unified Visa requirements have not yet been confirmed, but the list of GCC Unified Visa required documents is likely to include:
You would most probably need to upload everything during the online application process.
Who’s Eligible for the Visa?
If you’re coming for tourism and you’ve got a clean record, chances are you’ll be eligible. The idea behind the visa is to welcome more visitors from around the world, and the eligibility criteria reflect this.
General Eligibility Criteria
- As with other visa types for GCC countries, the minimum age to apply for the GCC Unified Visa independently is expected to be 18 years. Minors under 18 will need a guardian to submit the application on their behalf.
- The visa might only be available for purposes such as tourism or brief visits to family and friends.
- Applicants might be required to present a clean criminal record as part of the visa application process.
- The visa might be offered for a specific list of countries (the official list of eligible nationalities is yet to be released).
GCC Citizens and Residents
GCC nationals (people from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain) don’t need this visa; they already have free movement in the region.
Residents of GCC countries may have easier or faster access. The GCC unified visa requirements for GCC residents might be a bit lighter, but more on that once the rules are finalized.
How to Apply for the GCC Unified Visa Online
As per the recent updates, the whole application is expected to commence online, which is great. No embassy visits, no printing out a hundred forms. The official process hasn’t yet been made public, but it might look like this:
How to Apply for the GCC Unified Visa Online
As per the recent updates, the whole application is expected to commence online, which is great. No embassy visits, no printing out a hundred forms. The official process hasn’t yet been made public, but it might look like this:
1
Go to the visa application website
After the official launch, you will be able to apply for a GCC Unified visa online.
2
Choose your visa type
You might need to pick between a single-country visa (for just one GCC country) or a multi-country visa (for traveling between several).
3
Fill in your details
You will need to provide personal information such as your name and age, as well as your travel dates, passport info, and a valid email, nothing unusual.
4
Upload your documents
This will be where you would need to add your passport copy, your photo, and other requested documents.
5
Pay the visa fee
Here, you would need to pay the visa fees using a valid payment method, such as a debit or credit card.
6
Submit and wait
Updates will most likely be sent via email, and your visa will be delivered to the same address upon approval.
Fees and Processing Time
The exact fees haven’t been confirmed for every type of visa yet, but you’re probably looking at around $90 to $130. The price for the single-country visa is also expected to be lower than that of the multi-country visa.
You can pay online with most major cards, and most probably you will have the option to pay using Apple Pay, Google Pay, and similar digital methods.
Processing Time
The official processing time for the GCC Unified Visa has yet to be confirmed, but it may take only a few days. To minimize the risk of delays, travelers are strongly encouraged to apply well in advance. Factors such as incomplete or incorrect applications, regional public holidays, religious observances, or a high volume of applications may extend processing times.
Visa Validity and Duration of Stay
Official guidelines on validity and duration of stay are still pending, but current expectations point to two possible options:
Single-entry
anticipated to come with roughly a three-month validity and allow a stay of up to 30 days inside the GCC.
Multiple-entry
expected to remain valid for as long as 12 months, with travellers permitted to spend up to 90 days in the GCC.
Visa Application Tips to Make It All Smoother
At the moment, we can’t provide specific tips for the GCC Unified Visa as we’re still waiting for official details. However, to ensure a smooth trip, you would generally want to…
Apply early
Don’t wait till the last minute. Start your application at least three weeks in advance of your travel date.
Double-check your documents and details
Make sure every detail (name, passport number, travel dates, etc.) is consistent, and make sure you have the required documents before you apply.
Have a basic itinerary ready
Even simple hotel bookings and flight confirmations can be useful if such information is required.
Buy travel insurance
Although it may not be mandatory, having coverage will protect you if something goes wrong.
Common Questions People Ask
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are all included.
Yes, but only if you have a multiple-entry visa.
We expect that most nationalities will qualify. Just double-check the list once it’s live.
Anyone who is not a GCC citizen will most likely need this visa. Only GCC nationals are exempt.
We post the latest updates as they are announced. For the most recent information and latest GCC visa news, visitors can check the news page on our website.