A unified tourist visa that will let visitors travel across all six Gulf Cooperation Council states will begin a pilot phase later this year, the UAE’s Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, said. Authorities plan to test the new permit before rolling it out more broadly.
What the new visa will do
The single-entry permit — modelled on multi-country travel schemes — will enable foreign tourists to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman using one authorisation. The arrangement is designed to simplify travel procedures, cut the need for multiple national visas and present the Gulf as a more integrated tourism destination.
Why the initiative matters
Officials say the unified visa will deepen regional tourism cooperation and make the Gulf more attractive to long-haul visitors by packaging multiple countries under one travel permit. The scheme is expected to increase intra-GCC travel, boost tourism receipts and help member states meet targets for tourism’s contribution to their economies.
Winners and early beneficiaries
Industry executives expect all GCC states to benefit from the visa, but they believe the UAE and Saudi Arabia will capture the largest share of tourists because of their advanced tourism infrastructure, international connectivity and major attractions.
Pilot timing and operational plans
The pilot phase is slated for the fourth quarter of 2025, during which governments will test technical, security and logistical arrangements. Authorities plan to introduce a digital application platform that will allow travellers to apply online and choose between single-country or multi-country access, with final validity lengths and conditions to be confirmed by member states.
Context and recent tourism trends
The announcement comes as the UAE’s tourism and aviation sectors continue to grow. Recent reforms have expanded business licences in tourism, hospitality and aviation, reflecting an environment more welcoming to investment. Regional travel data in recent years has shown strong cross-border movement, particularly between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, highlighting the promise of a combined-visa approach.
Next steps
During the pilot, authorities will align digital platforms, security standards and visa-issuing procedures, and monitor traveller demand, operational costs and cross-border logistics. Member states will use findings from the trial period to finalise the visa’s terms and set a firm date for full implementation.
