The GCC unified tourist visa, branded “GCC Grand Tours”, is a single multiple-entry e-visa that will let tourists visit all six Gulf states, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait, on one permit. It entered a pilot phase in early 2026, is expected to cost around US$100 to US$150 and allow stays of roughly 30 to 90 days, with full rollout targeted for late 2026 or early 2027.
Which countries does the GCC visa cover?
The visa covers the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Bahrain and Kuwait. One approval will replace the need to apply separately to each country for a short tourist trip, which is why it is often called the “Gulf Schengen”.
What is the rollout status in 2026?
The scheme is real but not yet fully live. GCC interior ministers approved the framework, and a pilot phase began in early 2026, starting with a UAE to Bahrain travel corridor to test real-time data-sharing between immigration systems, QR-code validation at smart gates and biometric processing. Officials have pushed the full public launch to late 2026 or early 2027, blaming the delay on the technical work of integrating immigration databases and security screening across six sovereign states.
How much will the GCC unified visa cost?
Final pricing has not been officially fixed, but reporting during the pilot points to the ranges below. Treat these as strong indications, not confirmed fees.
| Feature | Expected (subject to confirmation) |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Multiple-entry e-visa |
| Cost | ~US$100 – US$150 |
| Length of stay | ~30 – 90 days |
| Countries | All 6 GCC states |
| Application | Online / e-visa portal |
How does it compare to the Schengen visa?
The comparison to Europe’s Schengen visa is about convenience, not identical rules. Like Schengen, one GCC visa will unlock travel across a bloc of countries on a single application. Unlike Schengen, the Gulf states are not removing border checks between themselves, so travellers will still pass immigration at each country, and each state keeps sovereignty over who it admits. The gain is a single application and fee instead of up to six.
Who is expected to be eligible?
The scheme is designed for foreign tourists rather than Gulf residents, who already move between the six states under separate arrangements. Based on how the pilot is structured, applicants should expect to provide a valid passport with sufficient validity, confirmed accommodation or an itinerary, proof of funds and, in line with several Gulf countries, valid travel or health insurance for the trip. The visa is intended to be applied for online before travel rather than on arrival, and final document requirements will be published when the scheme goes live.
Why the GCC is building a single visa
The unified visa is part of a wider Gulf push to grow tourism and encourage longer, multi-country holidays. The six GCC economies are investing heavily in aviation, hotels and attractions, from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea resorts to Qatar and the UAE’s leisure sectors, and a single visa makes a “see several Gulf countries in one trip” itinerary far easier to sell. For travellers, that could mean pairing Dubai with Doha, Muscat or Riyadh on one permit instead of juggling separate applications.
What should travellers do now?
Until the unified visa launches, tourists still need the existing individual visas or visa-on-arrival options for each Gulf country they plan to visit. If you are planning a multi-country Gulf itinerary in 2026, budget for separate entry permits for now, keep your passport validity well ahead of expiry, and watch for the official launch date before assuming one visa will cover the trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is the GCC unified tourist visa available yet?
Not for the general public. As of mid-2026 it is in a pilot phase between selected countries. A full public launch is expected late 2026 or early 2027.
Will the GCC visa remove border controls between Gulf countries?
No. Unlike Europe’s Schengen area, the six GCC states keep their own immigration checks. The visa unifies the application, not the borders.
Who will be eligible for the GCC Grand Tours visa?
It is aimed at foreign tourists rather than residents. GCC residents and citizens already have separate travel arrangements within the bloc. Exact eligibility and required documents will be confirmed at launch.
How long will the visa let me stay?
Indications from the pilot suggest 30 to 90 days on a multiple-entry basis, but the final duration will be set when the visa officially launches.
Bottom line: The GCC unified tourist visa promises one permit for all six Gulf countries at around US$100 to US$150, but in 2026 it is still a pilot, so plan multi-country trips using existing visas for now. For country-specific entry rules today, see our guides to visiting Qatar in 2026, the Saudi Arabia tourism guide and the Dubai travel guide 2026.
Primary sources: the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the body through which the member states agreed the scheme, and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) for UAE entry procedure.
