The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are to begin the pilot phase of the GCC tourist visa in the fourth quarter of the year, Uncle Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, informs.
Al Marri explained that the new GCC tourist visa, which is to operate Schengen-style, will permit visitors to move freely across all six member states on one single visa. Being a very strategic move toward regional integration, this, he said, would give further recognition to the Gulf as a single tourist destination. The minister specified that with the setting of the pilot to begin later this year, the full implementation of the GCC Grand Tourist Visa would take place afterward; however, no exact timeline has yet been provided for the rollout of the full system.
When launched, the GCC tourist visa is expected to allow for a single unified mechanism by which tourists from outside the organizing countries can travel to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. Neither the fees nor the duration of the visa have been revealed yet. 
During the interview held on June 16, 2025, Al Marri spoke about the approval of the GCC tourist visa and that it will be implemented in the near future. “The single GCC tourist visa has been approved and is now waiting to be put into effect. It is currently with the Ministry of Interior and other relevant authorities,” noted Al Marri while attending the UAE Hospitality Summer Camp.
Impact on Regional Tourism after the GCC Tourist Visa Launch
According to industry experts, the arrival of the GCC tourist visa will greatly uplift tourism and hospitality throughout the region. They also hold that the scheme will generate thousands of jobs, enhance the GDP, and promote both leisure and religious travel. Executives agree that all Gulf countries will benefit, but the UAE and Saudi Arabia will enjoy the greatest influx of tourists.
3.3 million visitors from within the GCC visited the UAE in 2024, comprising 11 percent of the nation’s total guests accommodated across hotel divisions. Saudi Arabia delivered the biggest portion of 1.9 million tourists; then came Oman with 777,000 visitors, Kuwait with 381,000, Bahrain with 123,000, and Qatar with 93,000.
Growth in the Tourism Sector of the UAE
Al Marri further broke down the rapid growth of the tourism and hospitality industries in the UAE. As of mid-September 2025, commercial licensing in tourism, aviation, air transport, and digital tourism solutions stood at 39,546 — up 275 percent from 2020.
The GCC tourist visa is now being touted as a linchpin to regional cooperation and an opportunity to position the Gulf as a seamless-area tourism destination of world class.
Wider benefits of the GCC tourist visa
There is much more to celebrate than just tourism-related developments due to the birth of the GCC tourist visa, since it greatly supports economic diversification agendas across the Gulf region. Having become well aware that oil revenues can never be an engine for growth anymore, tourism thus becomes an increasingly important sector. The experts believe that the unified visa will promote longer stays in the region, giving tourists the flexibility to visit more destinations without the hassle of applying for several visas.
With the commencement of the GCC tourism visa, new opportunities are expected to arise across the various sectors. Thus, the airlines stand to gain much passenger traffic with travelers moving more freely between the countries, while hotels and travel agencies are expected to put up packages consisting of multiple destinations in one Gulf region trip. Other local service providers, including eateries, cafes, retail shops, and fun centers, will benefit from the increasing numbers. Among them, places like Dubai, Riyadh, and Doha are expected to capture the largest share, while operators have started preparing for rapid demand changes.
Besides, the GCC tourist visa will be a catalyst for cultural exchange. With easy access, tourists can now experience the very different cultures the Gulf has to offer, from the heritage sites in Saudi Arabia to the natural environment in Oman, from the museums in Qatar to the top modern-day attractions in the UAE. Putting the region on this one map will put its cultural worth in perspective as well.
Those industry leaders see the endorsement of this GCC cooperation through the visa as setting a precedent for other regions as a reminder of the strength of unity in promoting tourism and economic prosperity.
For more updated news, visit: The UAE Times
