Travelling across the Gulf region is about to get a lot easier. The upcoming Unified GCC Visa will let travellers visit all six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain with a single permit. The new visa system is designed to promote tourism, trade, and cultural exchange across the region.
Officials estimate the Unified GCC Visa will cost between $90 and $130 (Dh330–Dh480), depending on the type and duration. Travellers will be able to choose between a single-country visa or a multi-entry “GCC Grand Tour” visa, valid for 30 to 90 days.
Saudi Arabia currently offers one of the most expensive e-Visas in the region, costing around SAR535 (Dh525), including travel insurance. It allows multiple entries within a year, with each stay lasting up to 90 days.
Kuwait has made travel easier for GCC residents by allowing tourist visas on arrival, valid for 30 days. The expected cost for UAE residents is between Dh250 and Dh300, depending on the service used.
Oman remains the most budget-friendly destination, offering a GCC Resident e-Visa for just OMR5 (Dh48). It allows a single entry for a 28-day stay and can be obtained easily online or at land borders.
Qatar charges about QAR100 (Dh100–105) for a single-entry e-Visa valid for 30 days. Some nationalities can travel visa-free, but most UAE-based expats still need to apply for an e-Visa.
Bahrain offers several options, with fees starting around BD29 (Dh284) for a single-entry visa and BD77 (Dh756) for a three-month multiple-entry visa.
The Unified GCC Visa will bring all these countries under one travel system, reducing paperwork and costs while encouraging cross-border travel. Once launched, it is expected to make the Gulf region a seamless travel zone similar to Europe’s Schengen area.
