Gulf’s Schengen-style 6-in-1 GCC visa set to launch soon: How to apply and what documents you’ll need

Gulf’s Schengen-style 6-in-1 visa set to launch soon: How to apply and what documents you’ll need

Soon, traversing the Gulf may feel a bit more like journeying through Europe—at least on paper. Inspired by the fluidity of the Schengen Zone, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is preparing to unveil a unified tourist visa that will allow travellers to explore multiple nations under a single entry permit.

Known officially as the GCC Grand Tours Visa, this much-anticipated initiative has been endorsed by all six member states—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Though the precise launch date remains unconfirmed, the rollout is widely expected by late 2025.

A Seamless Passport to the Gulf

The visa is poised to simplify travel logistics dramatically. Tourists will no longer need to obtain separate visas for each Gulf nation they wish to visit. Instead, they can move freely between borders using a single-entry permit—valid across all participating countries. This not only enhances visitor convenience but also signals a strategic move to position the Gulf as a unified tourism bloc.

The unified visa will reportedly carry a validity period of 30 to 90 days, though final guidelines are still being refined. Intended for tourism and family visits only, it will not extend to employment or long-term residency purposes.

What Makes the GCC Visa Stand Out

The proposal goes beyond mere administrative streamlining. By enabling a single visa to span six nations, it encourages travellers to move beyond capital cities and major airports—inviting deeper regional exploration. Cultural festivals in Muscat, desert drives in Saudi Arabia, heritage trails in Kuwait, and museum tours in Doha can now be experienced under one itinerary, without bureaucratic interruption.

The visa will be issued through an online portal, which authorities say is in its final stages of development. Once operational, it is expected to offer lower fees and faster processing times than country-specific alternatives.

Key Documents Required for Application

While official documentation guidelines have not yet been published in full, applicants will likely need to prepare the following:

• A valid passport with at least six months’ validity
• A completed online visa application form
• Passport-size photographs in accepted format
• Proof of accommodation bookings
• A proposed travel itinerary
• Travel insurance valid in the GCC region
• Evidence of sufficient funds to support the trip
• Confirmed return or onward ticket

How the Application Process Will Likely Unfold

Although the final interface and detailed steps are forthcoming, the general process is expected to mirror other digital visa platforms:

1. Complete the Online Form
Applicants will be asked to enter personal details, travel dates, and intended destinations within the GCC.

2. Upload Supporting Documents
Each required document will be submitted electronically. Ensure all files meet format and resolution standards.

3. Pay the Visa Fee
A secure online payment gateway will collect the applicable visa charges. Accepted methods will likely include international credit and debit cards.

4. Receive Your Visa
Upon successful review, the e-visa will be emailed to the applicant. Travellers should retain both a digital and printed version for ease of transit.

A Tourism Strategy Rooted in Regional Unity

What makes this new visa more than a policy change is its broader ambition: to recast the Gulf not as a patchwork of individual destinations, but as a collaborative cultural corridor. It invites travellers to perceive the region not in isolation, but as a series of interconnected narratives—shared histories, landscapes, and traditions—each enriching the other.

Whether you're planning to marvel at futuristic skylines or retreat into the stillness of the dunes, the GCC Grand Tours Visa opens new pathways—both literal and imaginative—for those seeking to experience the Gulf in its full dimension.