UAE travel: Schengen-style GCC tourist visa approved, rollout expected soon
New visa aims to boost cross-border tourism, economic collaboration and job creation
DUBAI: The long-awaited Schengen-style unified tourist visa for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has officially been approved and will be rolled out "soon", according to UAE’s Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the UAE Hospitality Summer Camp press conference, Al Marri said, “The single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and is now awaiting implementation. It is currently with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant stakeholders for review.”
The visa is expected to simplify travel across the GCC region, marking a significant step toward regional tourism integration. It will allow visitors to explore six member nations – the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait – using one permit.
What is the GCC Tourist Visa?
Dubbed the “GCC Grand Tours Visa,” the initiative mirrors the Schengen system in Europe. Travellers will be able to move freely between participating countries without the need to apply separately for each one – a process that has long been a hurdle for international tourists, despite established road and air links in the region.
This unified visa has been in discussion for several years, with the aim of positioning the Gulf as a connected tourism destination. The final approval signals renewed momentum toward that vision.
How will it benefit the region?
Industry stakeholders are optimistic that the visa will boost 'bleisure' travel – the blending of business and leisure – as tourists extend corporate trips to visit neighbouring Gulf states.
It is also expected to create significant economic benefits. Tourism professionals anticipate a surge in visitor numbers, increased hotel occupancy, higher spending, and job creation across hospitality and allied sectors.
In 2023, GCC countries recorded 68.1 million tourist arrivals and earned $110.4 billion in tourism revenue – a 42.8% rise from 2019, according to the GCC Statistical Centre.
What role will the UAE play?
The UAE continues to lead the region’s tourism drive. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the travel sector supported 833,000 jobs in the country in 2024 and is expected to hit 1 million by 2030.
Dubai, in particular, welcomed 7.15 million visitors in the first four months of 2025 – up 7% from the same period in 2024. With the unified visa in place, tourism authorities expect this influx to spill over into other GCC destinations, fostering a more integrated and attractive Gulf travel experience.