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Latest Update on the GCC Unified Tourist Visa Launch

Travellers planning multi-stop trips across the Arabian Gulf will need to wait longer. The GCC unified tourist visa missed its expected 2025 launch and is now projected to roll out later in 2026.

The visa is intended to allow travel across multiple Gulf countries through a single application, covering destinations such as the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.

Revised Timeline Confirmed After November Update

The revised timeline was confirmed in early November, when authorities said more time was needed to complete the project. The delay reflects the work required to align systems across 6 countries with different immigration rules and border controls.

The unified visa, known as the GCC Grand Tours Visa, received approval from GCC interior ministers in November 2023 and was expected to enter a trial phase by late 2025. That plan has since changed. While technical work and internal testing continue, authorities now say a full public rollout is more likely in later 2026 due to the scale of policy, technology, and security coordination involved.

Visa Application Form

Reasons Behind the Delay

Security coordination is a key challenge. A shared visa system requires real-time data exchange between immigration authorities while allowing each country to maintain control over its borders. Aligning these processes to meet international security standards takes time.

Technology is another factor. The visa depends on a central digital platform linking passport records, border checkpoints, and national databases. Authorities want the system to reliably manage high volumes, especially during peak travel periods.

There has also been a change in approach. Rather than meeting an earlier deadline, GCC states are moving forward with phased testing. This gradual rollout, extending into 2026, aims to reduce risks before public launch.

What the GCC Unified Tourist Visa Is Expected to Offer

Once launched, the GCC Unified Tourist Visa is intended to simplify travel across the region. Travellers would apply once and travel between all 6 member states, rather than arranging separate visas for each country.

Authorities have indicated that travellers may be able to choose between a visa covering a single GCC country or a multi-country option. Final details have not yet been confirmed, but the visa is expected to support short stays and encourage trips that include more than one Gulf destination.

Wadi Disah Valley With Sandstone Cliffs

Rising Demand for Simpler Regional Travel

Regional travel continues to increase. In 2024, more than 3.3 million visitors from GCC countries travelled to the UAE, accounting for about 11% of hotel guests. Saudi Arabia represented the largest share, followed by Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.

Until the unified visa is introduced, travellers must continue to follow existing entry rules for each destination. Existing visa systems, such as the Saudi Arabia eVisa, remain unchanged while technical work on the GCC unified visa continues.

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  1.   ANDREW says:
    Hi, I read this update but medyo confusing pa for me. I’m from Philippines and planning travel as tourist. If this GCC unified tourist visa already start, pwede ba one visa lang to visit Saudi, UAE and Qatar, or need pa separate approval for some country? Also any idea when this open for regular tourist, not only special cases? Thank you.

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To obtain a Saudi Arabia eVisa

  • Step1: Complete the online application by providing your passport details.
  • Step2: Submit payment online using a credit card.
  • Step3: Monitor your email for confirmation of payment and receipt of your eVisa, which will be sent electronically.
Get eVisa to Saudi Arabia


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