GCC Unified Tourist Visa: Everything you need to know
Say goodbye to visa juggling. The GCC Unified Tourist Visa is officially on the horizon – and it's set to make hopping across your favourite Gulf destinations smoother than ever.
In a recent announcement, GCC Secretary General Jassem Al Budaiwi confirmed that the long-anticipated single-entry visa for the Gulf is moving ahead, with all six member states actively working to bring it to life.
The GCC Unified Tourist Visa, which will officially be named 'GCC Grand Tours', will allow freedom of movement between residents in six countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait.
As visa-free travel is possible for citizens of GCC countries, it's thought that the new visa will apply to the millions of non-nationals living in the region. This will also allow tourists to spend more than 30 days in the GCC.
Plans for the new GCC Unified Tourist Visa were officially approved late in 2023 following a unanimous vote by ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council at a meeting in Oman.
The visa is aimed at encouraging tourism within the region and growing each nation's tourist economy.
Current rules for intra-regional GCC travel from the UAE
UAE citizens do not need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia and can stay for up to 90 days but people just living in UAE do require a visa.
In Bahrain, it's a similar story as UAE natives don't require a visa to enter but passport holders of other countries who reside in the UAE need either an eVisa or a Bahrain on-arrival visa.
Credit: Supplied
Oman is open to UAE citizens without the need for a visa but residents in the GCC currently need to be on a list of approved professions or be accompanied by someone who is in order to get an unsponsored visa.
Citizens of GCC countries can enter Kuwait without a visa by presenting a valid GCC ID card but those who are non-nationals will need an eVisa or visa-on-arrival.
Qatar allows citizens of more than 100 countries to enter visa-free including those from the UAE. Lengths of stay vary and conditions will be different depending on your nationality.
And, people travelling to the UAE from other GCC countries are allowed entry for a period of no longer than 30 days, which can only be extended once with an eVisa.
When the date for the new unified tourist visa is confirmed, we'll have all the details you need to know to prepare yourself.
What do you need for a GCC Unified Tourist Visa?
Officials also say the visa will offer better value – meaning fewer application fees and a simplified process.
Likely documents you'll need:
While exact requirements may differ depending on your nationality, here's a general idea of what to prepare:
A valid passport (with at least six months left)
Online application form
Recent passport photo
Hotel bookings or an invitation letter
Travel insurance with medical coverage
Proof of funds (like a bank statement)
Return or onward travel ticket
How to apply
Once launched, the visa application process is expected to go fully digital. Here's how it'll likely work:
Visit the official visa portal (to be announced) Choose between single or multi-country access Upload documents and travel details Pay the visa fee securely online Receive your e-visa via email
No queues. No embassies. No paperwork chaos.
It has previously been hinted by the UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri that the visa will apply to residents within the GCC rather than just passport holders.
In November 2023 he said: 'Hopefully, we are going to see something around a pan-GCC visa which will allow easier mobility of people within the GCC.
'A resident of Saudi, for instance, can enter the UAE and vice versa. I think that's where we see the future of GCC tourism.'
This would be yet another addition to the list of things you can do with your Emirates ID.
What will the GCC Unified Tourist Visa mean for UAE?
While the UAE is arguably the best prepared of the six GCC nations to welcome large swathes of tourists, the country is going to make some changes to make travelling easier.
For visitors to the UAE, the Emirates Tourism Council say they are working on a tourist route within the country which will interconnect the seven emirates.
Infrastructure projects such as the Etihad Rail passenger train should make travel around the UAE easier (Credit: WAM)
The new Etihad Rail passenger train set to start operations between Abu Dhabi and Dubai later this year should also make travel around the country much easier.
New major roads around Dubai, the UAE's most populated city, will eventually make things easier too.
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Time Out Abu Dhabi
13 hours ago
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
GCC Unified Tourist Visa: Everything you need to know
Travel across the Gulf could soon get a whole lot easier. Say goodbye to visa juggling. The GCC Unified Tourist Visa is officially on the horizon – and it's set to make hopping across your favourite Gulf destinations smoother than ever. In a recent announcement, GCC Secretary General Jassem Al Budaiwi confirmed that the long-anticipated single-entry visa for the Gulf is moving ahead, with all six member states actively working to bring it to life. The GCC Unified Tourist Visa, which will officially be named 'GCC Grand Tours', will allow freedom of movement between residents in six countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. As visa-free travel is possible for citizens of GCC countries, it's thought that the new visa will apply to the millions of non-nationals living in the region. This will also allow tourists to spend more than 30 days in the GCC. Plans for the new GCC Unified Tourist Visa were officially approved late in 2023 following a unanimous vote by ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council at a meeting in Oman. The visa is aimed at encouraging tourism within the region and growing each nation's tourist economy. Current rules for intra-regional GCC travel from the UAE UAE citizens do not need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia and can stay for up to 90 days but people just living in UAE do require a visa. In Bahrain, it's a similar story as UAE natives don't require a visa to enter but passport holders of other countries who reside in the UAE need either an eVisa or a Bahrain on-arrival visa. Credit: Supplied Oman is open to UAE citizens without the need for a visa but residents in the GCC currently need to be on a list of approved professions or be accompanied by someone who is in order to get an unsponsored visa. Citizens of GCC countries can enter Kuwait without a visa by presenting a valid GCC ID card but those who are non-nationals will need an eVisa or visa-on-arrival. Qatar allows citizens of more than 100 countries to enter visa-free including those from the UAE. Lengths of stay vary and conditions will be different depending on your nationality. And, people travelling to the UAE from other GCC countries are allowed entry for a period of no longer than 30 days, which can only be extended once with an eVisa. When the date for the new unified tourist visa is confirmed, we'll have all the details you need to know to prepare yourself. What do you need for a GCC Unified Tourist Visa? Officials also say the visa will offer better value – meaning fewer application fees and a simplified process. Likely documents you'll need: While exact requirements may differ depending on your nationality, here's a general idea of what to prepare: A valid passport (with at least six months left) Online application form Recent passport photo Hotel bookings or an invitation letter Travel insurance with medical coverage Proof of funds (like a bank statement) Return or onward travel ticket How to apply Once launched, the visa application process is expected to go fully digital. Here's how it'll likely work: Visit the official visa portal (to be announced) Choose between single or multi-country access Upload documents and travel details Pay the visa fee securely online Receive your e-visa via email No queues. No embassies. No paperwork chaos. It has previously been hinted by the UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri that the visa will apply to residents within the GCC rather than just passport holders. In November 2023 he said: 'Hopefully, we are going to see something around a pan-GCC visa which will allow easier mobility of people within the GCC. 'A resident of Saudi, for instance, can enter the UAE and vice versa. I think that's where we see the future of GCC tourism.' This would be yet another addition to the list of things you can do with your Emirates ID. What will the GCC Unified Tourist Visa mean for UAE? While the UAE is arguably the best prepared of the six GCC nations to welcome large swathes of tourists, the country is going to make some changes to make travelling easier. For visitors to the UAE, the Emirates Tourism Council say they are working on a tourist route within the country which will interconnect the seven emirates. Infrastructure projects such as the Etihad Rail passenger train should make travel around the UAE easier (Credit: WAM) The new Etihad Rail passenger train set to start operations between Abu Dhabi and Dubai later this year should also make travel around the country much easier. New major roads around Dubai, the UAE's most populated city, will eventually make things easier too. Amazing things to do in Abu Dhabi 23 brilliant beach and pool day passes in Abu Dhabi Grab your SPF, because it's time to tan Top places for irresistible burrata in Abu Dhabi Best restaurants to get the creamy curds oozing Dance the night away: 17 bars and nightclubs in Abu Dhabi to bust a move All the bars with great music and space to shake a leg
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For more information and a full list of categories, visit the Nomination payment options To submit a nomination, all participants must register online. Fees apply per company or individual, per category, and vary depending on the number of nominations submitted: 1–4 categories: Dhs735 per category ($200) 5–9 categories: Dhs643 per category (minimum of 5 nominations required) ($175) 10+ categories: Dhs550 per category (minimum of 10 nominations required) ($150) Each registration includes online entry processing and digital collateral Please note: These fees also apply to all Leader category nominations. Click on the Judges This esteemed panel of judges brings extensive expertise across media, business, technology, and innovation. With decades of leadership experience and significant regional influence, I an F airservice ( Managing Partner and Group Editor-in-Chief, Motivate Media Group ) Ian Fairservice founded Motivate in 1979 with the launch of What's On , the UAE's first independent magazine. With a diverse portfolio of award-winning publications—including Gulf Business , Emirates Woman , and Identity —Motivate's consumer and trade brands reach over 2.5 million users per month. The group's Books division, established in 1986, has published more than 300 titles. In addition to books and magazines, Motivate produces content across video, digital media, exhibitions and events, social media, influencer marketing, out-of-home media, talent management, training, and cinema. M ishal Kanoo ( Chairman, The Kanoo Group ) Mishal Kanoo is Chairman of The Kanoo Group, one of the Gulf region's largest and oldest family-owned conglomerates. Operating across multiple sectors, the group is widely recognized for its longstanding contribution to the region's economic development. A respected business leader and futurist, Mr. Kanoo is known for his strategic foresight and economic commentary. He holds leadership roles in several companies, including Gulf Capital, KHK & Partners, Dalma Capital, Crane Industrial Services, Akzo Nobel UAE Paints, and KAAF Investments. In 2024, he received Gulf Business ' Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his regional impact. Kanoo began his career within the family business before gaining experience as an auditor at Arthur Andersen in Dubai. He holds two MBAs—one in finance from the University of St. Thomas, Texas, and another from the American University of Sharjah. Beyond business, he is a published writer in regional media and business journals, and a motivational speaker passionate about mentoring others. He upholds the Kanoo family's legacy of excellence, integrity, and philanthropy. Jawad Jalal Abbassi ( Head of Middle East and North Africa (MENA), GSMA ) Jawad Jalal Abbassi is Head of the MENA region at the GSMA, overseeing activities across 25 countries. He leads the GSMA's regional advocacy and strategic programs—focusing on 5G, IoT, AI, and digital identity—working with mobile operators, regulators, and policymakers to promote sustainable mobile broadband investment. Jawad's team collaborates with GSMA's global offices, engaging stakeholders to advance the mobile sector's role in economic development. He is a frequent speaker at regional technology and communications forums. He joined the GSMA in 2015 after founding the Arab Advisors Group in 2001, a leading research and consulting firm later partially acquired by the Arab Jordan Investment Bank. Previously, he worked as a telecoms and tech analyst with the Yankee Group and the Economist Intelligence Unit in Boston. Jawad holds a BSc in engineering from the American University in Cairo and an MSc in information systems from the London School of Economics. He has also completed executive programs at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School. Dr Marwan Al Zarouni ( CEO of Artificial Intelligence, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) ) Dr Marwan Al Zarouni is CEO of Artificial Intelligence at Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), leading the emirate's AI agenda under the 'Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence'. He is also CEO of the Dubai Blockchain Center (DBCC), placing him at the forefront of regional tech strategy. With more than 20 years of experience in technology, digital forensics, cybersecurity, and AI, Dr Al Zarouni works closely with public and private sector stakeholders to shape forward-looking AI and blockchain policies that improve quality of life and visitor experience in Dubai. His leadership at DBCC has accelerated blockchain adoption in the UAE. He is a founding member of both the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) and the Artificial Intelligence Ethical Committee (AIEC), helping guide the ethical use of emerging technologies. In 2022, CoinTelegraph named him among the top 100 influential figures in blockchain and crypto. He also served on the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Cryptocurrencies from 2020 to 2021. GARETH VAN ZYL ( Group Editor, Gulf Business ) Gareth van Zyl is Group Editor of Gulf Business , bringing over 15 years of experience reporting on technology and business in the UAE and South Africa. He has held senior editorial roles, including bureau chief for News24's business section, roles at ITWeb (Africa's largest IT publisher), and deputy editor at Earlier in his career, Gareth lived and worked in Dubai from 2008 to 2012, contributing to Windows Middle East magazine, 7DAYS newspaper, and The National . For further information and assistance, please contact: Manish Chopra: Mario Saaiby: Hitesh Kumar: Or call T +971 4 427 3000 and ask to be connected to the Gulf Business Team.
