6 Gulf Countries Are Getting Their Own Version of the Schengen Visa

Condé Nast Traveler

a day ago

Traveling across the Gulf is about to become far simpler. The GCC Grand Tours Visa—also referred to as the Unified Tourist Visa—has been officially approved, marking a significant shift in how short-term travel works across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The visa is expected to launch by late 2025 or early 2026, and once live, it will allow travelers to explore all six GCC countries on a single permit.
What is the Unified GCC Visa?
The Unified GCC Visa, also known as the GCC Grand Tours Visa or Unified Tourist Visa, is a new travel document that grants entry to all six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Travelers will be able to select between a single-country visa or a multi-country option depending on their itinerary. The system is designed for tourism, short-term visits, and family travel, but does not include provisions for employment or long-term stays.
The visa's validity period has not yet been confirmed, but it is expected to range from 30 to 90 days. While a multiple-entry option has been discussed, final terms and conditions are still being outlined by the relevant authorities.
What this means for travelers to the region
The unified visa removes the need for travelers to apply for separate visas to each country, making it easier to plan and execute multi-country trips across the Gulf. Whether visiting for a short break or planning a longer itinerary across several destinations, the single-entry system reduces the administrative effort and simplifies logistics.
The visa is expected to make travel more accessible by consolidating paperwork and allowing applicants to use one portal rather than navigating different processes for each country. It also introduces the potential for more cost-effective travel, depending on final pricing structures, which have not yet been confirmed. For those interested in visiting more than one destination in the region, this new system will offer greater flexibility and convenience.
At a regional level, the visa is expected to boost tourism and support sectors such as hospitality, transport and retail by encouraging longer stays and broader movement across borders. It may also strengthen cultural exchange, with visitors gaining access to a more connected experience of the Gulf's diverse identities, landscapes and traditions.
How to apply
Once the system is live, the application process will be completed entirely online through an official portal. Travellers will begin by filling out a digital form with personal details, travel dates and intended itinerary, selecting whether they are applying for entry to a single country or multiple GCC states. They will then upload the required documents, which are expected to include a valid passport, a passport-style photo with a white background, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, a recent bank statement, and a confirmed return or onward ticket.
The visa fee will be paid through a secure online platform using a debit or credit card. Once the application is reviewed and approved, the visa will be issued electronically via email. Travelers will be expected to carry a printed copy with them throughout their journey.
All applications must be submitted and approved online in advance of travel. In the event of a rejected application, travelers will receive a notification outlining the reason. In most cases, reapplication will be possible once the identified issues have been addressed or further assistance can be sought from the relevant immigration authority.
A version of this story originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller Middle East.