The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is pushing ahead with plans to implement a Unified Tourist Visa that would allow international travelers to visit all six Gulf states on a single permit a move through which tourism across the region is expected to be re-shaped.
The proposed visa covering Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman are aimed at eliminating the current need of the travellers to get visas for each country.
Officials have defined the initiative as a giant move towards growing regional co-operation to promote the Gulf as a whole connected tourism place.
Authorities familiar with the project say the visa’s introduction is now expected to be in 2026, due to delays associated with the technical difficulty of linking immigration systems, biometric databases and security protocols within six sovereign nations.
A pilot phase is likely to be introduced first and may involve testing in selected travel corridors before the system is expanded to the whole of the GCC.
The unified visa will be accessible to foreign tourists, business visitors and travellers to attend events and conferences in the region.
Applications are expected to be submitted through a centralized online platform, making it possible for applicants to get a digital visa without going to the embassies or consulates. Standard requirements are likely to include a valid passport, confirmed accommodation, onward travel details and travel insurance of all GCC countries.
While the final fee structure has yet to be announced, industry sources say the cost could be between $100 and $150 providing a more economical choice as compared to filing for multiple visas separately.
The visa is anticipated to be capable of offering flexible options of stay, such as visiting for a short period of time or with a longer visit to several countries, with possible single or multiple-entry permissions.
Tourism officials hope the unified visa will have a significant impact on numbers of visitors as well as draw people to stay longer and spend more money in airlines, hotels, retail and transport sectors.
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