Dubai, October 7, 2025 — Tourists will soon be able to travel across all six Gulf countries with a single visa. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has announced that the pilot phase of the unified GCC tourist visa — officially known as the GCC Grand Tourist Visa — will begin in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The announcement was made by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council. He described the visa as a “strategic step towards deeper regional integration”, adding that it will strengthen the Gulf’s image as a single tourism destination.
Schengen-Style Visa for the Gulf
The new visa, similar to the European Schengen visa, will allow foreign tourists to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait with a single entry permit.
The exact launch date, visa cost, and duration of stay are yet to be officially announced.
Minister Al Marri stated that the visa has already been approved and is currently undergoing final coordination with the Ministry of Interior and other relevant authorities. Once launched, the full implementation will follow after the pilot phase.
Expected Boost to Tourism and Economy
Industry experts believe the GCC Grand Tourist Visa will be a game-changer for the region’s travel and tourism sector. It is expected to:
- Simplify cross-border travel for international tourists,
- Increase regional tourism spending,
- Create thousands of new jobs, and
- Contribute significantly to the GCC’s combined GDP.
Among the GCC countries, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are expected to attract the largest share of tourists, given their diverse attractions and global connectivity.
UAE’s Strong Tourism Growth
In 2024, the UAE welcomed 3.3 million visitors from neighboring GCC nations, accounting for 11% of its total hotel guests.
Saudi Arabia led with 1.9 million visitors, followed by Oman (777,000), Kuwait (381,000), Bahrain (123,000), and Qatar (93,000).
The UAE’s tourism and hospitality sector continues to expand rapidly. By mid-September 2025, the country recorded 39,546 commercial licenses in tourism-related fields, marking a 275% increase compared to 2020.
What It Means for Nepalese in the UAE
For Nepalese residents in the UAE, the unified visa offers an exciting opportunity to invite family and friends for multi-country Gulf tours under one visa. It will also open new job opportunities in the travel, hospitality, and aviation sectors as the region gears up to welcome more international tourists.
However, officials have advised waiting for official details regarding the fees, application process, and eligibility before making any travel plans.
Conclusion
The GCC Grand Tourist Visa represents a significant milestone in regional tourism cooperation. Once implemented, it will not only make the Gulf more accessible to international travelers but also reinforce its reputation as one of the world’s most attractive and unified destinations.