DOHA: Qatar has announced good news for travelling enthusiasts and extended the visit visas from one to two months.
According to the announcement, the visit visas of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals will be extended from one month to two months and provide them an opportunity to obtain multiple-entry permits.
The country’s tourism department stated that the new rules are in effect from Sunday, November 30 (Yesterday), through the Haya platform.
The GCC nationals will now easily participate in Qatar’s expanding sports, cultural, and entertainment events, after the historic FIFA World Cup 2025.
The Qatar’s Haya platform provides five types of online visas, including Tourist visa (A1), GCC resident visa (A2), Electronic travel notification (A3), Visa for visitors accompanying GCC citizens (A4) and Visa waiver application for US citizens (F1).
From Dubai to Doha on One Tourist ‘GCC’ Visa
The GCC unified tourist visa will begin a pilot phase in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to UAE Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri.
Unified visa advances regional integration amid looming security concerns
The GCC grand tourist visa is designed to let visitors move freely across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain using a single entry permit.
Moreover, GCC ministers approved the system in 2023, and officials confirm it is in the final technical and digital implementation stage.
In addition, applications will be processed through an integrated digital platform, which will simplify planning and shorten processing times.
As a result, the Gulf will present itself as one connected destination with coordinated entry rules and clearer itineraries.
UAE tourism growth underscores timing of unified tourist visa
Meanwhile, the UAE’s tourism ecosystem shows strong momentum that supports the rollout.
By mid September 2025, commercial licenses in hospitality, aviation, transport, and digital tourism services reached 39,546, which represents a 275 percent increase since 2020.
Furthermore, Al Marri credited economic reforms for attracting global investors and expanding the sector’s capacity.
In parallel, the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 targets forty million hotel guests annually.
This policy aims to lift the sector’s contribution to four hundred billion dirhams by the end of the decade.
Therefore, the unified visa aligns with a clear national growth agenda for growing GCC markets.
Also read: UAE Visit Visa Salary Update October 2025
