A long-awaited single tourist visa covering all six Gulf countries is moving closer to reality, with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) indicating that the scheme could be launched soon, a Khaleej Times report says.
The proposed GCC Grand Tourist Visa is expected to allow international tourists to travel across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait using a single permit, similar to Europe's Schengen visa.
Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the GCC, said the unified visa would make travel between the six member countries easier.
One tourist visa is expected to cover all six GCC countries.
The participating countries are the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait.
The scheme is designed primarily for foreign tourists travelling across multiple Gulf destinations.
The model is similar to the Schengen visa, which allows travel across several European countries with a single visa.
The GCC has not yet announced the visa fee, validity period or application procedure.
An exact launch date has also not been disclosed.
The unified tourist visa has been in the works for several years. The GCC has said the initiative is aimed at strengthening regional integration and positioning the six countries as a unified tourism destination.
The unified tourist visa is one of several initiatives aimed at making movement across the Gulf easier.
The GCC is also working on a separate one-stop travel system for its citizens. The UAE and Bahrain began piloting the system in February 2026 between Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain International Airport.
Under the system:
Passenger information can be processed before arrival.
Electronic connectivity links the relevant authorities.
Biometric verification and e-gates are used to speed up immigration procedures.
Travellers can complete procedures at one point rather than repeating checks on arrival.
The one-stop travel project and the unified tourist visa are separate initiatives. The former is focused on GCC citizens, while the tourist visa is intended for international visitors.
The GCC secretary-general has linked the unified visa to a broader push for regional economic integration.
The six-member bloc has already developed initiatives such as the GCC Free Trade Area, Customs Union and Common Market. Cross-border projects in transport, energy and infrastructure are also strengthening economic links between member countries.
Tourism, transport and logistics are emerging as important areas of integration as Gulf countries diversify their economies beyond oil.
The unified tourist visa could further support this strategy by encouraging international visitors to combine multiple Gulf destinations in a single trip rather than visiting individual countries separately.
For travellers, the key question now is when the visa will actually become available. The GCC has indicated that the launch is approaching, but details on the fee, validity and application process are still awaited.