What Is The GCC Grand Tours Visa That Will Allow Travel Across 6 Gulf Countries

The Middle East's tourism landscape may soon experience a significant shift. It would be thanks to a special visa that mirrors the ease of movement across the Schengen zone in Europe. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has officially approved a Unified Tourist Visa, also known as the GCC Grand Tours Visa. This would allow visitors to travel freely across six Gulf nations with a single permit. This streamlined visa has the potential to redefine travel in the region, encouraging longer stays and easing cross-border movement. The visa system is expected to go live by late 2025 or early 2026. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming GCC Grand Tours Visa:

What Is The GCC Grand Tours Visa?

The GCC Grand Tours Visa or Unified GCC Visa is a multi-country visa. It enables travellers to explore up to six Gulf nations with just one permit. Much like the Schengen visa in Europe, it eliminates the need to apply separately for each country. This visa could have many benefits for the travellers as well as the countries themselves.

Travellers applying for this visa will be given the choice between a single-country visa (if you plan to visit just one Gulf nation) or a multi-country visa (ideal for regional itineraries). It is important to note that this visa is designed exclusively for tourism and short visits. It is not meant for employment or long-term stays.

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Which Countries Are Covered By The GCC Grand Tours Visa?

_{GCC Visa: As the name suggests, the visa will cover the entire GCC bloc. Photo Credit: Pexels}

The visa will be valid across the entire GCC bloc, which includes:

1. Bahrain
2. Kuwait
3. Oman
4. Qatar
5. Saudi Arabia
6. United Arab Emirates

This opens up a seamless travel corridor between some of the Middle East's most iconic destinations - think Riyadh, Dubai, Doha, Muscat, Manama, and Kuwait City - all on one itinerary.

How Long Can You Stay With A GCC Grand Tours Visa?

While final details are still being confirmed, the expected validity ranges from 30 to 90 days. The duration would depend on the type of visa you apply for and how many countries you intend to visit. Whether the visa will be single- or multiple-entry is yet to be clarified.

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How The GCC Grand Tours Visa Can Benefit Travellers:

This visa could be a game-changer for many travellers. It can allow you to:

• Maximise value from a single flight into the Gulf
• Explore different destinations across the Gulf countries in one trip
• Plan more spontaneous cross-border road trips and multi-stop holidays

From desert retreats in Oman to futuristic skylines in Dubai and ancient souks in Saudi Arabia, this visa can make regional exploration simpler, cheaper, and more flexible.

How To Apply For The GCC Visa

Though the system isn't live yet, here's what the application process is expected to look like:

1. Apply online via a centralised GCC portal.
2. Provide personal information as well as travel/itinerary details
3. Upload usual visa documents, including a valid passport, passport-sized photo, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, bank statements, return/onward flight tickets, etc.
4. Choose visa type (single or multiple countries).
5. Pay the visa fee via a secure payment gateway.
6. Receive your visa via email and carry a printed copy during your trip.

How The GCC Visa Could Benefit The Region

The unified visa is expected to boost tourism and increase visitor spending across multiple sectors: hospitality, aviation, retail, and cultural attractions. It's also part of an effort to enhance collaboration among GCC nations. The GCC visa will make it easier for travellers to discover the unique identity of each country. It would also allow foreign visitors to truly connect the dots across a region that's often viewed as separate fragments. And another undeniable highlight? It would reduce the hassle of extra paperwork!

As the launch draws near, the GCC Grand Tours visa may be one of the most exciting developments in global tourism.