The long-awaited GCC Grand Tourist Visa, inspired by Europe’s Schengen system, is expected to roll out in its pilot phase by late 2025, marking a historic step toward regional tourism integration.
Unified Visa for Six GCC Countries
UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri confirmed that the project will allow tourists to travel freely across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain using a single visa.
“This is a strategic step toward deeper regional integration,” Al Marri told WAM, adding that the system will boost the Gulf’s standing as a unified global tourism destination.
Seamless Digital System
The GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi revealed that the unified visa is in its final approval and digital implementation stage. Visitors will be able to apply through a dedicated online platform, making travel between Gulf states easier than ever.
The pilot launch is expected in Q4 2025, followed by full implementation across all six nations.
💼 Surge in Tourism and Economic Growth
The timing couldn’t be better — the UAE’s tourism sector continues to boom.
By mid-September 2025, licenses in hospitality, aviation, transport, and tourism services had jumped 275% since 2020, reaching 39,546 commercial permits.
Al Marri attributed this success to ongoing economic reforms and investment-friendly policies, reaffirming that tourism remains a cornerstone of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 — which targets 40 million hotel guests annually and a Dh450 billion GDP contribution by 2031.
📈 GCC as a Unified Tourism Powerhouse
In 2024 alone, the UAE welcomed 3.3 million visitors from GCC countries — nearly 11% of all hotel guests.
Breakdown of GCC visitors to the UAE:
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🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia – 1.9 million (58%)
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🇴🇲 Oman – 777,000 (24%)
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🇰🇼 Kuwait – 381,000 (12%)
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🇧🇭 Bahrain – 123,000 (4%)
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🇶🇦 Qatar – 93,000 (3%)
Tourism officials expect these numbers to surge after the unified visa launch, opening the door for greater regional mobility and economic cooperation.
🏖️ UAE Expands Tourism Initiatives
Alongside the GCC visa project, the UAE is pursuing several initiatives to boost tourism, including:
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“World’s Coolest Winter” campaign returning in December.
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UAE–Africa Tourism Investment Summit in October.
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Training programs for Emirati hospitality professionals.
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Incentive schemes for travel startups and digital tourism technology.
✈️ Conclusion
The upcoming GCC Grand Tourist Visa will transform the region into a borderless travel zone, simplifying access for millions of tourists and solidifying the Gulf’s status as a world-class destination.
