GCC Unified Tourist Visa Update: Launch Timeline, Pilot Phase & What Indians Should Know

 

GCC Unified Tourist Visa 2026 update

GCC Unified Tourist Visa: Latest Updates, Pilot Phase & What Travellers Need to Know

A major upgrade is coming for travellers heading to the Gulf region. The GCC Unified Tourist Visa, often referred to as the GCC Grand Tours Visa, has been officially approved—however, it has not started for the public yet. The system is currently under development, with an expected rollout between 2026 and 2027.

Here’s everything you need to know, explained in simple and clear language.

Current Status of the GCC Unified Tourist Visa

✔ Officially Approved but Not Yet Operational

The unified visa was approved by GCC interior ministers in November 2023. Even though the concept is final, the actual system still requires complex technical and digital integration across all six GCC nations.

✔ Implementation Underway

Member states are connecting their immigration systems, security databases, and digital platforms to create a single-entry visa similar to the Schengen model.

✔ Pilot Phase in December 2025

A travel pilot will begin in December 2025—but only for GCC nationals, and only for air travel between the UAE and Bahrain.
This pilot is part of the infrastructure needed before launching the full international tourist visa.

Important:
This December 2025 pilot is not the unified tourist visa for international travellers.

What Is the GCC Unified Tourist Visa?

The upcoming GCC Grand Tours Visa will allow visitors to travel across all six GCC countries using a single visa:

• United Arab Emirates (UAE)

• Saudi Arabia

• Qatar

• Oman

• Bahrain

• Kuwait

Key Features Expected

• Purpose: Tourism and short family visits only

• Application Mode: Fully online through one central platform

• Validity: Estimated 30–90 days

• Entry Options: Single-country or multiple-country access

• Estimated Cost: USD 90–130 (around ₹8,000–₹11,000)

This will work similar to a Schengen-style visa, making Gulf travel faster and smoother.

Visa Status Checks Until the New System Launches

Until the unified visa is introduced, travellers must continue following individual visa rules for each country.

You can check your visa status using each nation’s official portals, such as:

• UAE: Government visa inquiry portals

• Oman: Royal Oman Police eVisa system

• Saudi Arabia: eVisa portal

• Qatar: Hayya platform

The GCC Unified Visa portal is not yet available.

Launch Timeline: What to Expect in 2025–2027

2025

• Pilot travel system for GCC nationals (UAE ↔ Bahrain)

• Backend testing and integration

2026

• Expected public launch of the unified tourist visa

• Gradual rollout likely starting with the UAE, Bahrain, and Oman

2027

• Full multi-country adoption across all six GCC members

• Digital enhancements and additional features

Recent Visa Updates Across GCC Countries (Important for Indians)

Even though the unified visa hasn’t launched, several Gulf countries have already eased their travel rules:

Saudi Arabia

• Introduced a one-year multiple-entry e-visa for foreign residents living in GCC states.

Qatar

• Updated its Hayya GCC Residents Visa, allowing eligible GCC residents to stay up to two months with multiple entries.

UAE

• Continues to improve digital immigration processes and border automation in preparation for the unified system.

These changes are stepping stones toward the larger Schengen-style visa framework.

How Indian Travellers Benefit From the GCC Unified Tourist Visa

Once launched, Indian tourists will be able to:

• Visit six countries with one visa

• Avoid repeated documentation

• Save time with a single online application

• Explore multiple destinations in one trip

• Benefit from smoother border checks

This is a major win for travellers planning trips to Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, Muscat, Manama, or Kuwait City.

Conclusion

The GCC Unified Tourist Visa is one of the most important travel updates for 2026. Although not yet active, the approval, ongoing implementation, and December 2025 pilot show that the region is moving steadily toward a seamless, multi-country travel experience.

Travellers—especially Indians—should stay updated as the Gulf prepares to introduce one of its biggest visa reforms ever. Also See: Qatar Extends Visit Visa for GCC Residents — 2-Month Mobile Entry Now Allowed