GCC to Launch Unified Tourist Visa by 2026

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) plans to launch a Unified Tourist Visa by late 2025 or early 2026, allowing travelers to visit Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE with a single permit. The digital visa will support short-term tourism, family visits, and multi-country travel, eliminating the need for separate visas for each nation. Applicants can select either a single-country or multi-country option, with anticipated validity from 30 to 90 days. While visa fees and multiple-entry options are still being finalized, the initiative aims to boost tourism and help diversify Gulf economies beyond oil. Employment and long-term residence will not be allowed under this visa. Unlike the Schengen area, travelers will still undergo border and passport checks between GCC countries.