Gulf Cooperation Council countries will begin the pilot phase of a unified tourist visa in the fourth quarter of this year, according to the UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. The unified visa will let visitors travel across all six GCC countries, aiming to boost regional integration and promote the Gulf as a single tourism destination. The full rollout of the GCC Grand Tourist Visa is expected at a later date, while specific launch details, costs, and duration have not been released.
Industry leaders expect the visa to significantly benefit the tourism sector and broader economies, generating new jobs and increasing GDP. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are expected to attract the highest number of visitors under the new scheme. In 2024, the UAE recorded 3.3 million visitors from other GCC countries, with Saudi Arabia contributing the largest share. By mid-September 2025, the UAE reported 39,546 commercial licenses in tourism and related sectors, marking a 275% rise from the same period in 2020.
Industry leaders expect the visa to significantly benefit the tourism sector and broader economies, generating new jobs and increasing GDP. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are expected to attract the highest number of visitors under the new scheme. In 2024, the UAE recorded 3.3 million visitors from other GCC countries, with Saudi Arabia contributing the largest share. By mid-September 2025, the UAE reported 39,546 commercial licenses in tourism and related sectors, marking a 275% rise from the same period in 2020.
