The long-awaited unified visa project is now in its final technical stage, making travel easier across six Gulf nations. Here are the key details: GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi announced the update in Riyadh on 7 September 2026. Passport authorities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman finished their coordination. The visa is only for tourists and visitors and does not change work rights.
On 7 September 2026, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi announced at the Security and History Dialogue in Riyadh that the long-awaited Unified Gulf Tourist Visa has entered its final technical and regulatory stage. Passport authorities across the six member states—the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman—have completed the necessary coordination to facilitate the new permit. This project, originally approved by GCC interior ministers in Muscat in November 2023, aims to streamline travel by allowing visitors to apply for one visa covering all six nations, as opposed to the current system of separate e-visas.
The unified visa is intended for tourist and visitor use and does not alter existing labor laws, residency permits, or work rights. It will function alongside current national e-visas. While final official circulars are pending, expected details include a single multi-country fee estimated between USD 90 and USD 150, and validity periods ranging from 30 days for single-entry to 60–90 days for multiple-entry. The process is expected to take 3–7 working days, with applicants required to apply through the portal of their first country of entry. The new system does not include Iran.
For residents in the GCC, including the approximately 9 million Indian expatriates, the system is designed to simplify travel between member states. Residents are advised to maintain current residency documents, such as Emirates ID, iqama, or Civil ID. Specific regional policies remain in effect, including Kuwait’s updated leave-permit rules as of 1 September 2026, and Qatar’s 14-day grace period for residence-permit cancellation. Travelers are cautioned that the visa does not grant residency and should ensure their passports are valid for at least six months beyond the planned exit date. Official guidance advises against booking non-refundable multi-city travel until the formal GCC Secretariat portal URL is published.
