The highly anticipated unified tourist visa for travel across the six Gulf countries is scheduled to launch in a trial phase later this year. Known as the 'GCC Grand Tours' visa, it will facilitate greater freedom of movement among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, made this announcement while addressing the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on World Tourism Day.

According to WAM, the pilot phase is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025, paving the way for full implementation at a later date. Al Marri emphasized that the introduction of the unified GCC tourist visa represents a significant advancement toward deeper regional integration and will enhance the Gulf's collective appeal as a premier global tourism destination.