Business Desk 
Nov 08, 2025
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to launch a unified tourist visa next year, allowing travellers from Pakistan and around the world to explore the six Gulf nations — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman — through a single application.
Saudi Tourism Ministry Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb confirmed the milestone as a historic step after four years of regional coordination.
Speaking at the Gulf Gateway Investment Forum, Al-Khateeb underlined that tourism is fast emerging as a major economic pillar alongside oil and trade, pointing out the modern infrastructure, cultural depth, and safety of the region.
The new GCC Grand Tours Visa, with its principle similar to the Schengen system in Europe, will ease travel by accepting online applications.
Applicants can opt for single-country access or a six-country pass, valid for one to three months. Early reports indicate the single unified visa will be cheaper than applying separately for each nation.
Applicants must provide a valid passport along with accommodation details, proof of travel insurance, proof of funds, and either a return or onward ticket.
Al-Khateeb also highlighted the possible increase in regional mobility. GCC airlines carried almost 150 million passengers last year, but only 70 million travelled regionally.
“The visa aims to tap this demand, boost multi-country itineraries, and encourage longer stays,” he said.
The initiative aligns with wider goals of harmonised regulation, unified data systems, and cross-border tourism investment, heralding a new era in seamless travel across the Gulf.
It's expected that the online application portal will open even before the official launch of the visa next year, with full guidance and details being released over the coming months.
