Unified GCC Tourist Visa to Boost Dubai and UAE Tourism
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to launch the pilot phase of the Unified GCC Tourist Visa in the last quarter of 2025, according to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council.
Often compared to the Schengen Visa, this new GCC Grand Tourist Visa will allow international visitors to travel across all six Gulf countries — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait — using a single entry permit. This major initiative is expected to strengthen regional integration and significantly boost the Gulf’s attractiveness as a unified travel destination.
In a recent interview with WAM, the UAE’s official news agency, Al Marri confirmed that the visa has already been approved, with the Ministry of Interior and other stakeholders working on its final implementation. While the exact cost and duration of the GCC tourist visa have not yet been disclosed, industry experts anticipate it will be a game-changer for the UAE tourism and hospitality sector, further enhancing Dubai’s position as the leading hub for global travelers.
Executives in the travel industry predict that the UAE and Saudi Arabia will benefit the most from the launch of this unified visa, thanks to their extensive hospitality infrastructure, mega-events, religious tourism, and growing demand for bleisure travel (business + leisure).
Dubai in particular is expected to see a surge in international arrivals. In 2024, the UAE welcomed 3.3 million visitors from GCC countries, making up 11% of the nation’s total hotel guests. Saudi tourists led the figures with 1.9 million, followed by Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
The UAE tourism sector continues to grow at record speed, with 39,546 commercial licences issued in tourism, hospitality, aviation, air transport, aviation technologies, and digital travel solutions by mid-September 2025 — a 275% increase compared to the same period in 2020.
Industry leaders believe that once the Unified GCC Visa is fully implemented, Dubai and the UAE will witness an even greater influx of international tourists, further cementing their reputation as world-class destinations for leisure, business, and investment.
FAQs about the Unified GCC Tourist Visa and Dubai Tourism
1. When will the Unified GCC Tourist Visa be launched?
The pilot phase of the GCC Grand Tourist Visa is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism. The full rollout will follow at a later stage once the system is finalized.
2. Which countries can I visit with the GCC Tourist Visa?
The GCC unified visa will allow tourists to visit all six Gulf countries — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait — with a single visa, similar to the Schengen visa in Europe.
3. How will the GCC visa benefit Dubai tourism?
Dubai is one of the most popular destinations in the Gulf and is expected to see a significant rise in visitors once the unified visa is implemented. The new system will make it easier for travelers to include Dubai in multi-country itineraries, boosting hotel bookings, retail shopping, and the overall Dubai real estate and tourism economy.
4. What is the cost of the GCC Grand Tourist Visa?
The official price and duration of the GCC visa have not yet been announced. However, industry experts believe it will be competitively priced to attract international tourists to Dubai and the wider GCC.
5. Who will benefit most from the Unified GCC Visa?
While all GCC countries will benefit, Dubai and Saudi Arabia are expected to attract the largest share of visitors due to their strong hospitality infrastructure, global flight connectivity, mega-events, and religious tourism.
6. How many tourists visit Dubai from GCC countries?
In 2024, the UAE welcomed 3.3 million visitors from GCC countries, making up 11% of total hotel guests. The largest group came from Saudi Arabia (1.9 million visitors), followed by Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
Source : Khaleejtimes
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