Now called GCC Grand Tours, this is your chance to explore six countries for the price of one.

If you’re dreaming of exploring the Gulf, we have some exciting news. The GCC countries have now confirmed that the unified Gulf tourist visa, now known as the GCC Grand Tour, will be rolled out soon.

The man behind the plan, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Minister of Economy, confirmed the release to Khaleej Times. He said: “The single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and waiting now to be implemented, hopefully, soon. Now, it is with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant stakeholders and they should look into it.”

This news follows the one unveiled at the Arabian Travel Market, where it was confirmed that GCC Grand Tours will come into action later this year. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri then shared the scheme at the GCC tourism ministers’ meeting in Oman, where it received unanimous approval.

Imagine having the power to visit Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE with a single visa. No more fussing over multiple visa applications, just one, and you’re good to go. The GCC Grand Tours visa will allow you to explore not just one, but six stunning nations with a single visa, similar to the European Schengen visa.

How can you apply for the GCC Grand Tours visa?

  • Visit the official visa website (this will be revealed soon)
  • Choose your visa type, which means if you’re looking to travel to one country or applying for the unified multi-entry visa
  • Fill out your travel details and upload documents
  • Pay the visa fee
  • Receive a copy of the e-visa in your email
  • Print or keep a digital copy for airport security checks

This initiative isn’t just about making travel easier; it’s also part of the GCC 2030 tourism strategy. The goal is to enhance the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP by increasing intra-GCC travel and boosting hotel occupancy rates. Ultimately, the GCC aims to become a top global destination for tourists from both near and far.

With more than 10,000 hotel establishments as of 2022, there’s a lot of room for travellers to kick back and relax. The UAE, in particular, stands out with over 1,100 hotels, making it the second-largest in the GCC, just behind Saudi Arabia. And it doesn’t stop there. More properties are emerging around the region to cater to the surge in tourists once the unified Gulf visa is implemented. 

So buckle up and embark on an Arabian adventure like no other — the GCC is gearing up for a tourism revolution.

GO: Visit www.moec.gov.ae for more information.