GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi announced that the visa is close to being approved, noting that it represents a strategic step to facilitate the movement of individuals, support trade and investment activities, and enhance security cooperation.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are preparing to launch a unified tourist visa, a move described as a "qualitative shift" that could change the region's tourism landscape, similar to Europe's Schengen experience.
Freedom of movement between 6 Gulf countries
The new visa will allow visitors to enter all six GCC countries: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, with a single visa, eliminating the need for multiple visas.
This will not only include tourists, but also residents of any Gulf country, as they will be able to move freely between the GCC countries, contributing to the revitalization of inter-GCC tourism and increasing investment opportunities.
Tourism boom expected
According to travel and tourism reports, the visa is expected to attract more than 129 million visitors to the Gulf by 2030, reflecting the scale of the aspirations and ambitions that accompany this initiative.
Tourism companies and travel agents have already begun designing new tour programs that connect more than one Gulf country within a single itinerary, taking advantage of the flexibility of travel.
Official support and Gulf consensus
The project received broad political support, as it was approved by the Supreme Council of the Gulf States, which directed the Ministries of Interior to complete the final arrangements for its launch.
Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb also affirmed that the introduction of this visa is a "historic step" that will contribute to strengthening the Gulf's position as a global destination for tourism, culture, and entertainment, as part of Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy.
Economic and investment prospects
In addition to facilitating tourist movement, the unified visa is expected to stimulate investment in the tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors, enhancing economic integration among the Gulf states.
This step represents a clear message of the GCC countries' commitment to shaping a shared tourism future based on openness and attracting the world to the region.
