What to Know About the GCC Unified Tourist Visa in 2025

For travelers, one of the best things about the Schengen zone is its common visa. In most cases, with one visa application, visitors can go to any of the Schengen countries.

Well, travelers are in luck as there is a new visa in the works that would allow its holders to visit multiple Middle Eastern countries under just one visa approval, and that's the Unified Tourist Visa by the GCC.

Its announcement has brought on many questions about how it could work. Will it have the same qualifications as the Schengen visa? Will visa travel insurance be required?

We're taking a look at what is currently known about this new option for travelers.

The GCC Unified Visa: What is it?

The Unified Tourist Visa (some sites have referred to it as the GCC Grand Tours Visa or GCC Unified Visa) is a visa that would allow its holders to visit six countries in the Gulf, including:

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

Instead of having to apply for a separate visa for each of these countries, a single application would give visitors never-before-seen access to several popular Middle Eastern destinations.

How to apply for the GCC Unified Visa

Official details about the application process have not yet been released, though there has been a lot of speculation as to what the process could look like.

Many media sites are reporting that the process may look similar to the Schengen visa application process. This could be the case, but whether or not it will be (and to what extent) has not yet been announced by governing officials.

That said, if it is similar to the Schengen visa application process, we could see a GCC Unified visa application process that requires:

• A visa application form.
• A valid travel document (passport).
• Supporting documents that prove your ability to fund yourself during your stay.
• Flight and accommodation booking confirmations.
• Travel insurance that covers you in the relevant countries.
• A visa application fee.

Again, this is speculative and is one example of what the GCC Unified Visa requirements could look like. We have to wait and see what the actual requirements would be, once officially released by governing officials.

Some media sites are reporting that the process will be through an online portal, which could also be the case.

Whatever the process, we are sure to learn more details in the weeks and months to come, so make sure you follow Insurte's Travel Guide for the most recent visa and travel news.

When will the GCC Unified Visa be available?

According to a post from the GCC's official media center, the GCC Unified Visa "will be launched soon".

On June 2, 2025, an official statement said:

"...through their [the passport departments of the Ministries of Interior of the GCC countries] ongoing joint technical meetings, are making valuable efforts to launch the unified tourist visa project in the near future."

Right now, the joint countries are working as a team to ensure that both the technological developments and security requirements for this new visa are met.

Impacts of the new GCC Unified Visa

As seen in the Schengen area, the GCC's unified visa would be expected to increase tourism, travel, and trade to the six participating countries.

One visa for multiple locations is an appealing offer to travelers looking to explore destinations more easily and economically.

Instead of having to pay for multiple visa applications to multiple places, with multiple requirements, travelers would be able to go through one visa process and submit a single visa application.

This would save applicants both time and money, which is important to consumers in today's world.

There is also hope that this new visa could positively impact businesses and trade in each of the six participating countries.

With a hopeful influx of more travelers, an increase in business for airlines, hotels, restaurants, and retail stores could be expected.

GCC Unified Visa FAQs

What is the GCC Unified Tourist Visa?

When will the GCC Unified Tourist Visa be available?

How do I apply for the GCC Unified Tourist Visa?

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