Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassim Al-Budaiwi, announced that the GCC Unified Visa will be introduced soon.
Al-Budaiwi shared this latest update at an interview with Al-Qabas newspaper where he also
spoke about the railway project that will connect the GCC countries. Spanning 2100km, it will offer opportunities for investments and is expected to be completed by 2030.
The Schengen-style Unified GCC Tourist Visa will enable international visitors to travel across all six GCC countries with a single online application. Travelers can choose between a one-country and six-country visa when they apply online for the Unified GCC Visa.
The GCC has six member states, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Initially approved in 2023, the GCC visa was expected to be rolled out by the end of 2024. However, it faced several delays.
According to recent GCC visa news, the trial run of the Unified Tourist Visa will be launched by the end of the year. Both GCC residents and tourists will soon be able to apply for the GCC Tourist Visa, also known as the “GCC Grand Tours” visa, online.
According to Al-Budaiwi, the Unified GCC Visa is anticipated to strengthen tourism, enhance trade and investment, and boost mobility within the region.
“Our ambition knows no bounds. The GCC countries are implementing numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing economic diversification, supporting sustainable development paths, and stimulating innovation,” he shared regarding the developments in the GCC.