Gulf Countries Unified Tourist Visa 2025 – Requirements, Fees & How to Apply

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to launch an exciting new initiative in 2025: the Unified Tourist Visa, also called the Gulf Countries Unified Tourist Visa. This new visa system will allow travelers to visit all six GCC member states—UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait—with just one visa, similar to Europe’s Schengen visa. For Pakistani travelers, business visitors, and leisure tourists, this is a game-changer. In this guide, we will cover eligibility, application process, expected fees, and tips for maximizing your travel experience.

What Is the Gulf Countries Unified Tourist Visa?

The Gulf Countries Unified Tourist Visa is a single-entry visa that will cover all six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Travelers will no longer need to apply separately for each country, simplifying travel planning for leisure, business, and religious purposes.

The UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, called the initiative a “strategic milestone” aimed at enhancing regional tourism and promoting economic integration across the GCC.

Benefits of the Unified Visa:

One visa, multiple countries
Easier travel planning for tourists and business visitors
Encourages “bleisure” travel (business + leisure)
Boosts regional tourism and GDP growth

Countries Covered Under the Gulf Countries Unified Tourist Visa

Country	Expected Highlights
UAE	Dubai, Abu Dhabi – business hubs & luxury tourism
Saudi Arabia	Religious tourism (Mecca & Medina) & cultural attractions
Qatar	Doha city tours, desert safaris, and museums
Bahrain	Historical forts, Manama markets, leisure resorts
Oman	Natural landscapes, mountains, beaches, eco-tourism
Kuwait	Modern cities, shopping centers, cultural heritage sites

This unified approach allows travelers to explore diverse experiences, from modern skyscrapers to natural landscapes and religious landmarks.

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Who Can Apply for the GCC Tourist Visa?

Although official eligibility criteria are yet to be fully released, early insights suggest:

Applicants must have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity.
Travelers should have confirmed hotel bookings or travel itinerary for the GCC region.
Sufficient financial means to cover the stay.
Applicants may need travel insurance for the entire GCC trip.

Quick Tip: Keep all documents ready, including passport scans, financial proof, and itinerary details, as this will likely streamline your application when the visa opens.

Expected Fees and Duration

The GCC authorities have not officially announced the visa fees or duration, but experts suggest:

Visa validity: Likely between 30 to 90 days per entry, similar to standard tourist visas.
Cost: Expected to be moderate, possibly comparable to Schengen visa fees, to encourage regional tourism.

Once fees are confirmed, travelers can plan budgets accordingly, especially for multi-country travel.

How to Apply for the Gulf Countries Unified Tourist Visa

While the application system will be officially launched in phases, the expected steps are:

Visit the official GCC or country-specific tourism website for visa application.
Fill out the application form, providing personal, passport, and travel details.
Attach required documents such as passport scan, itinerary, and financial proof.
Pay the visa fee online using accepted payment methods.
Receive visa approval via email or portal.
Travel to any of the GCC countries listed under the visa.

Travel Tip: Once issued, this visa allows multiple visits across GCC countries, but make sure to follow entry and exit rules for each country.

Benefits of the Unified Tourist Visa

Simplified Travel: No need for multiple visa applications
Economic Boost: Encourages tourism and job creation across GCC states
Business Opportunities: Supports bleisure travel, combining work and leisure
Cultural Exchange: Tourists can explore multiple countries and cultures efficiently

How This Impacts Pakistani Travelers

For Pakistanis, the GCC visa is especially valuable:

Pakistan has a high volume of tourists and business travelers visiting the Gulf annually.
Religious tourism, particularly to Saudi Arabia, will be easier and more integrated.
Leisure and family trips can now cover multiple GCC destinations under a single visa.

Quick Fact: UAE alone has seen a 275 percent increase in commercial licenses by mid-September 2025 compared to 2020, signaling rapid growth in tourism and business activities.

Tips for a Smooth Application

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months.
Keep hotel bookings or travel plans ready.
Use official portals only to avoid fraud.
Consider travel insurance for health and safety coverage.
Apply early during the pilot phase to secure your visa quota.

Expected Challenges

While the Gulf Countries Unified Tourist Visa is promising, some challenges may arise:

Quota limitations during the pilot phase.
Unclear duration and fee details until official launch.
Need for coordinated entry rules between GCC countries.

Planning ahead can help mitigate these challenges and ensure a smooth travel experience.

GCC Visa vs Traditional Single-Country Visas

Feature	GCC Unified Visa	Traditional GCC Visa
Countries Covered	All 6 GCC countries	Only one country per visa
Application	Single application	Multiple applications needed
Travel Flexibility	High	Limited
Fees	Expected consolidated fee	Separate fees for each country
Duration	TBD, multi-country	Country-specific

This comparison shows the efficiency and convenience of the unified visa system.

Conclusion

The Gulf Countries Unified Tourist Visa 2025 represents a significant step towards regional integration and simplified travel across the Gulf countries. For Pakistani travelers, it opens opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exploration with ease and convenience. By understanding eligibility, preparing documents, and applying promptly, you can enjoy a seamless multi-country visit.

FAQs about Gulf Countries Unified Tourist Visa 2025

Q1: What is the Gulf Countries Unified Tourist Visa?
It is a single visa allowing travel to all six GCC countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait.

Q2: Who can apply for this visa?
Any traveler with a valid passport, sufficient funds, and confirmed travel plans can apply.

Q3: When will the GCC tourist visa start?
The pilot phase will begin in the last quarter of 2025.

Q4: How long will the visa be valid?
Exact duration is yet to be announced, but it is expected to allow multi-country travel for 30–90 days.

Q5: How can Pakistani travelers apply?
Through the official GCC or country-specific tourism websites once the visa portal opens.

Q6: Are there any special benefits of this visa?
Yes, it simplifies travel, encourages bleisure trips, and allows visiting multiple GCC countries under one visa.

Q7: Will there be fees for the visa?
Fees are expected but not yet officially announced.

Q8: Can this visa be used for business as well as leisure?
Yes, it supports both tourism and bleisure (business + leisure) travel.