The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has delayed the launch of its much-anticipated Schengen-style unified tourist visa, confirming that the “GCC Grand Tours” visa is now expected to be introduced sometime in 2026 instead of the earlier end-2025 target.
The single visa is designed to allow tourists to travel freely across all six GCC countries — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain — using one authorisation, thereby eliminating the need to apply for separate visas for each country. Officially referred to as the GCC Unified Tourist Visa, the initiative was approved in November 2023 during a meeting of GCC interior ministers in Oman and has been positioned as a regional mobility project inspired by Europe’s Schengen system.
Officials have attributed the delay primarily to challenges in integrating backend systems across the six member states. The process involves synchronising immigration databases, security screening mechanisms, and cross-border verification protocols among sovereign jurisdictions, which is critical for enabling seamless travel under a single visa framework. Reports suggest that backend testing revealed compatibility gaps in API–Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems and biometric watch-list integrations, prompting ministers to opt for phased pilot launches instead of a simultaneous region-wide rollout.
Once implemented, the unified visa is expected to be particularly beneficial for frequent travellers from India, given the large volume of tourism, business, and family travel between India and the Gulf region each year. Officials have indicated that the visa may be priced between $90 and $130 (approximately Dh330–Dh480), depending on the duration of stay and whether travellers choose a single-country or multi-entry option. The multi-entry “GCC Grand Tour” visa is expected to allow stays ranging from 30 to 90 days.
For now, travellers must continue applying for individual visas for each GCC country, with costs and conditions varying significantly. Saudi Arabia remains among the costliest, charging around SAR535 (Dh525) for a one-year multiple-entry e-visa that includes insurance and allows stays of up to 90 days per visit. Kuwait offers a 30-day visa on arrival for GCC residents, while online processing typically costs between Dh250 and Dh300 depending on the service provider. Oman is one of the most affordable destinations, offering a single-entry GCC Resident e-Visa for OMR5 (Dh48), valid for 28 days, with visas also available at land borders. Qatar charges QAR100 (Dh100–105) for a 30-day e-visa, while some nationalities qualify for visa-free entry. Bahrain’s visa costs vary, with BD29 (Dh284) for single-entry visas and BD77 (Dh756) for a three-month multiple-entry permit.
The delayed rollout means travellers will need to wait until 2026 to benefit from a unified GCC travel permit, though officials maintain that the system will significantly simplify and enhance regional travel once fully implemented.
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