GCC Grand Tourist Visa Nears Launch for Easy Travel Across UAE and Gulf
The GCC Grand Tourist Visa is now in its final stages and will be launched soon, according to an announcement by GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi on September 6, 2026, at the Security and History Dialogue in Riyadh. This major update will make travel across the region much easier for residents and visitors.
- Single permit for six Gulf countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.
- Works like Europe's Schengen visa to eliminate separate tourist visas.
- Central digital platform expected to manage the application process.
How the New Visa Works
The initiative will allow foreign visitors to travel between the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman on a single permit, mirroring the functionality of Europe's Schengen visa. The project aims to eliminate the need for separate tourist visas for each of the six Gulf countries. While exact fees, validity periods—estimated between 30 and 90 days—and eligible nationalities remain unpublished, the application process is expected to be managed via a central digital platform. GCC interior ministers initially approved the project in Muscat in November 2023, and current efforts are focused on finalizing technical and security systems, including joint screening and data sharing.
Benefits for Expats and Current Rules
For expatriates residing in the Gulf, the visa is expected to simplify travel for visiting family members from countries such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. Additionally, it offers an alternative for those traveling on tourist visas after transitioning out of employment. Existing travel options for GCC residents, such as the Saudi eVisa, Qatar's Hayya portal, and various visa-on-arrival schemes in Oman and Bahrain, remain in effect until the new system is operational. Officials have advised the public to rely exclusively on official GCC, ICP, and ministry channels and to avoid unofficial agents. This update was compiled based on statements from Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, as well as reports from the Khaleej Times and the Saudi Gazette.