Unified GCC Visa set to launch later this year

Since the Arabian Travel Market kicked off in Dubai on May 6th, the Unified GCC visa has been a talk of the town.

Officially named as ‘GCC Grand Tours’, the visa will be a reality by the end of 2024, according to UAE's Minister of Economy, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. It aims to streamline travel within the region by offering a single multi-entry visa valid for over 30 days across all six GCC countries for tourists and residents.

Is 'GCC Grand Tours' like a Schengen-visa?

While the well-established Schengen visa grants access to 26 European countries for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period), the newly announced GCC Grand Tours visa focuses on in-depth exploration of the six Gulf Cooperation Council nations: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait.

How much do you have to pay for the Visas now?

• A Bahrain visa costs $102 approx, as per Musafir.
• Saudi visa costs $127 onwards.
• Qatar visa costs $27 approx.
• Kuwait via costs $14 approx, inclusive of a service charge
• Oman visa costs $51
• UAE visa starts at $68.

How will it benefit tourists?

This move is expected to boost tourism in the region, prioritizing longer stays and allowing tourists to delve deeper into the diverse offerings of each GCC member state. This visa simplifies travel, eliminating the need for multiple visa applications, making it more accessible for tourists.

A hotel boom is underway across the GCC, bolstering tourism role as an economic powerhouse in the region.

Beyond tourism, the visa is expected to unlock new possibilities for cross-border business ventures, further propelling economic diversification efforts across the GCC.

Eligibility and Pricing

The visa is expected to be available for most of the nationalities, but a specific eligibility criteria is not in place as yet. Similarly, the cost has not been finalized too.

Since the aim of the visa is to simplify travel planning and make regional travel more accessible and efficient, it is expected to be competitive, reflecting the objective to attract a greater number of tourists to the region.