Latest news with #GCCGrandTours
Time Out Dubai
2 days ago
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
GCC Unified Tourist Visa launching in 2025: Everything you need to know
The unified GCC tourism visa is coming soon, according to the latest update. The GCC Unified Tourist Visa, which will officially be named 'GCC Grand Tours', will allow freedom of movement between residents in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Countries included in the system are the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. On Wednesday July 2, a statement by the GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi stated that the new visa will arrive soon, and expressed gratitude to all the efforts being made to help the project become a reality. Visa-free travel is already available for citizens of GCC countries across the region but the GCC Grand Tours Visa will enable the millions of foreign nationals living in the region to travel freely. It will simplify the process of getting visas and will likely have a longer validity period and lower overall costs compared to obtaining six separate visas. 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. While an official launch date has not been confirmed, it is expected that the visa will be introduced by the end of 2025. The visa is aimed at encouraging tourism within the region and growing each nation's tourist economy. When can we get a GCC Unified Tourist Visa? In February 2025, a meeting of the ministers responsible for tourism in GCC countries discussed implementing the visa in the coming period. At the time, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and the Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, said: 'The meeting represents an important step to enhance joint efforts to activate the unified Gulf tourist visa in the coming period, as it will contribute to achieving a qualitative shift in the Gulf tourism sector by highlighting the diverse tourism components of the GCC countries, and attracting tourists and encouraging long stays.' For now, UAE residents have different conditions for travelling within the GCC, so the introduction of the new GCC Unified Tourist Visa will allow for more consistency. It's expected to greatly streamline the process when travelling in different nations. Applicants will likely be able to choose between one-country or six-country access and the validity period of the visa may be between 30 and 90 days. 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? Currently, we do not know the requirements for UAE citizens or residents for the new visa. However, 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 could mean that your Emirates ID is about to become even more powerful than it already is. 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 in the future 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 Dubai Free things to do in Dubai Want to explore Dubai but save money? 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Time Out Abu Dhabi
2 days ago
- Business
- 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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Business Standard
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Schengen-style GCC visa: Get set to visit UAE, Saudi, Oman with one permit
Soon, you will be able to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait with just one visa. The long-anticipated unified tourist visa for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been formally approved and is awaiting implementation, UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri confirmed on Monday, June 16, 2025. Speaking during the UAE Hospitality Summer Camp, Al Marri said, 'The single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and waiting now to be implemented, hopefully, soon. Now, it is with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant stakeholders and they should look into it,' according to Khaleej Times. The new visa, informally referred to as the 'GCC Grand Tours Visa,' is modelled on the Schengen system used in Europe. It will allow travellers to enter all six GCC member countries without applying for separate visas. These include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. The visa has been in the works since October 2023, when it received unanimous backing from the member states. Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrooq, Oman's Minister of Heritage and Tourism, said that feedback on the plan was invited by December 2023. In April, Al Marri said the single visa could help attract more international visitors by making travel across the region more seamless. Projected tourism boost by 2030 Authorities expect the unified visa to contribute to a steep rise in tourist numbers across the region. Projections indicate that the GCC countries could see as many as 128.7 million visitors by 2030. The move is part of a broader push to drive economic growth through tourism and cross-border cooperation, with expectations of increased business activity, cultural exchange, and tourism revenue. What is the Schengen visa model? The GCC visa is based on the Schengen model used in Europe. A Schengen visa allows non-EU nationals to travel across 29 countries in the Schengen zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It acts as a single-entry short-stay visa, giving travellers access to multiple countries without needing to apply for individual entry permits. What we know so far about the GCC Grand Tours visa < It will cover the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait < The visa will allow travel across all six countries with one permit < It will be valid for stays of more than 30 days Indians continue to flock to the Middle East The UAE remains the most popular travel destination in the Middle East for Indian tourists. Dubai alone welcomed 18.7 million international visitors in 2024, according to Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism. This exceeded pre-pandemic levels, making it one of the world's most visited cities. Between January and March 2025, the city received 5.31 million foreign visitors. India, Russia, the UK, Saudi Arabia, and China were among the top source countries for visitors to Dubai. The UAE has also been expanding its efforts to draw tourists from Africa and Southeast Asia. Saudi Arabia, another key market, hosted 2.42 million Indian visitors in 2024. Overall, the kingdom welcomed 27.4 million international tourists in 2023, according to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). That number rose to 29.7 million by the end of 2024. In early 2025, international arrivals grew by 48 per cent compared to the same period last year. Qatar drew 5.07 million international visitors in 2024. In just the first quarter of 2025, it recorded 1.5 million arrivals, according to Qatar Tourism. Oman, meanwhile, saw 4 million international arrivals in 2024. In the first three months of 2025, the country received approximately 1 million foreign tourists. Its long-term strategy targets 11 million visitors annually by 2040. Regional tourism push The wider Middle East is witnessing a sharp upswing in tourist arrivals as countries step up investments in infrastructure, aviation, and hospitality. Eight countries—including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait—are channelling billions of dollars into tourism-related mega projects. Industry data suggests the region wants to generate over $200 billion in annual tourism revenue by 2030 through higher arrivals, hotel capacity, air traffic, and year-round global events.
