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10/1/25, 8:47 AM Unified GCC tourist visa set for pilot launch in Q4 2025, says Al Marri
Winter” campaign set to launch in December.

Earlier this month, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, confirmed
that the long-awaited GCC unified tourist visa is nearing its official rollout. The initiative, known as the
Unified Tourist Visa “GCC Grand Tours,” has entered its final approval phase after years of planning.

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Visa to increase regional mobility and attract international visitors

Al-Budaiwi added that the unified visa GCC program is part of a wider strategy to increase regional
mobility and attract international visitors. Once operational, the system will allow travelers to move
between Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates using a single Gulf
visa.

Al-Budaiwi emphasized that the approved unified GCC tourist visa is expected to simplify travel
logistics for both tourists and residents of the GCC countries. As part of the implementation process,
travelers will be able to apply online for a unified GCC visa through a digital platform.

In 2024, experts at Arabian Travel Market noted that the planned unified GCC tourist visa would allow
member nations to present the GCC as a connected destination, boosting accessibility and driving key
performance indicators (KPIs) such as length of stay, average spend and employment. Speakers noted
they would continue to ensure that the travel industry positively impacts local businesses, communities
and ecosystems, contributing to the long-term sustainability of tourism across the region.

Experts also explained that current and future infrastructure will complement the GCC Unified Tourist
Visa by enhancing accessibility within and between Gulf nations. In addition to ongoing investment in
new and existing airports and cruise terminals, the ministerial speakers highlighted the central role of the
upcoming GCC Railway in facilitating and optimizing region-wide access for both domestic and
international visitors.

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