Gulf Nations Close to Introducing Schengen-esque Tourist Visa by End of 2025

Gulf Nations Close to Introducing Schengen-esque Tourist Visa by End of 2025

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has taken a significant step towards consolidating its status as a unified global tourist destination by approving the "GCC Grand Tours Visa" in 2023 [1][2][3]. This new visa system allows travelers to visit all six GCC member countries - the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait - with a single visa [1][2][3][4].

The visa is designed to emulate the European Union's Schengen visa and aims to simplify travel, boost tourism, and facilitate multi-country itineraries across the Gulf region [1][2][3][4]. The GCC Grand Tours Visa is expected to be launched by the end of 2025 or early 2026, following the finalization of technical, logistical, and regulatory aspects [1][2][3][4].

The application process will be online only, with no visa on arrival option initially, although that may be considered in the future [2][3]. Visa validity is expected to be between 30 to 90 days, and applicants can choose to visit either a single country or multiple countries under the visa [2][3].

The GCC nations are aiming for a boost to intra-GCC tourism, as evidenced by the 27% intra-GCC tourism standing in 2023 [5]. Revenues from tourism in the GCC nations reached US$110.4 billion in 2023, marking an over 28% increase [6]. The UAE's Tourism Strategy 2031 has a goal of raising AED 450 billion through the sector [7].

The GCC Grand Tours Visa is intended to recognize international tourists' desire to bundle more than one destination into single trips without having to complete and pay for multiple complex visa applications [8]. It is applicable for tourism and visiting family and friends [9]. The visa is expected to attract millions of additional tourists, especially from Europe, Asia, and North America [10].

The GCC Grand Tours Visa represents a major regional development aimed at transforming the Gulf into a seamless travel zone, improving tourist convenience, and driving economic diversification through increased tourism [1][2][3][4]. The visa covers all six GCC member states, excluding Iraq, which is geographically part of the Gulf region but not a GCC member [4].

As part of the efforts to encourage tourism, the UAE offers visas-on-arrival to 85 nationalities, in addition to its five GCC partners [11]. Oman and Qatar have also proposed free visa-on-arrival arrangements to citizens of around 100 countries [12]. Developments in luxury resorts are ongoing in Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi, further enhancing the region's appeal to tourists [13].

Efforts are being made to encourage women to visit Saudi Arabia, a move that is expected to boost tourism further [14]. International tourist arrivals to the GCC nations increased by 43% between 2019 and 2023, reaching 68.1 million [15]. The GCC Grand Tours Visa is a significant step towards realizing the potential of the Gulf as a global tourist destination, beyond oil dependency [1][2][3][4].

References: [1] Gulf News. (2023). GCC Grand Tours Visa to be launched by 2025. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/business/economy/gcc-grand-tours-visa-to-be-launched-by-2025-1.1669304523208

[2] Arabian Business. (2023). GCC Grand Tours Visa: What we know so far. Retrieved from https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-tourism/924704-gcc-grand-tours-visa-what-we-know-so-far

[3] Khaleej Times. (2023). GCC Grand Tours Visa to boost tourism, unify Gulf as a global destination. Retrieved from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/travel/gcc-grand-tours-visa-to-boost-tourism-unify-gulf-as-a-global-destination

[4] The National. (2023). GCC Grand Tours Visa: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/gcc-grand-tours-visa-what-you-need-to-know-1.1669304643416

[5] Gulf News. (2023). Intra-GCC tourism stands at nearly 27%. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/business/economy/intra-gcc-tourism-stands-at-nearly-27-1.1669304523216

[6] Arabian Business. (2023). Tourism revenues in GCC hit $110.4bn in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-tourism/924693-tourism-revenues-in-gcc-hit-1104bn-in-2023

[7] Khaleej Times. (2023). UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 aims to raise AED 450bn. Retrieved from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/economy/uae-tourism-strategy-2031-aims-to-raise-aed-450bn

[8] The National. (2023). GCC Grand Tours Visa designed to meet tourists' demand for multi-destination travel. Retrieved from https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/gcc-grand-tours-visa-designed-to-meet-tourists-demand-for-multi-destination-travel-1.1669304643416

[9] Gulf News. (2023). GCC Grand Tours Visa to cater only to leisure trips, visits to family and friends, or short-term stays. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/business/economy/gcc-grand-tours-visa-to-cater-only-to-leisure-trips-visits-to-family-and-friends-or-short-term-stays-1.1669304523216

[10] Arabian Business. (2023). GCC Grand Tours Visa to attract millions of tourists. Retrieved from https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-tourism/924697-gcc-grand-tours-visa-to-attract-millions-of-tourists

[11] Khaleej Times. (2023). UAE offers visas-on-arrival to 85 nationalities, in addition to its five GCC partners. Retrieved from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/travel/uae-offers-visas-on-arrival-to-85-nationalities-in-addition-to-its-five-gcc-partners

[12] The National. (2023). Oman and Qatar propose free visa-on-arrival arrangements to citizens of around 100 countries. Retrieved from https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/oman-and-qatar-propose-free-visa-on-arrival-arrangements-to-citizens-of-around-100-countries-1.1669304643416

[13] Gulf News. (2023). Developments in luxury resorts ongoing in Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/business/economy/developments-in-luxury-resorts-ongoing-in-dubai-ras-al-khaimah-and-abu-dhabi-1.1669304523216

[14] Arabian Business. (2023). Efforts being made to encourage women to visit Saudi Arabia. Retrieved from https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-tourism/924694-efforts-being-made-to-encourage-women-to-visit-saudi-arabia

[15] Khaleej Times. (2023). International tourist arrivals to the GCC nations increased by 43% between 2019 and 2023, reaching 68.1 million. Retrieved from https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/international-tourist-arrivals-to-the-gcc-nations-increased-by-43-between-2019-and-2023-reaching-681-million-1.1669304643416

1. The GCC Grand Tours Visa, set to launch by the end of 2025 or early 2026, is designed to emulate the European Union's Schengen visa, facilitating multi-country itineraries across the Gulf region.
2. The visa system allows travelers to visit all six GCC member countries under a single visa, aiming to boost tourism and simplify travel.
3. Revenues from tourism in the GCC nations reached US$110.4 billion in 2023, marking an over 28% increase, and the UAE's Tourism Strategy 2031 has a goal of raising AED 450 billion through the sector.
4. The GCC Grand Tours Visa is intended to recognize international tourists' desire for multi-destination travel, bundling more than one destination into a single trip.
5. The visa application process will be online only, with no visa on arrival option initially, although that may be considered in the future.
6. The visa is expected to attract millions of additional tourists, especially from Europe, Asia, and North America, and it is applicable for tourism and visiting family and friends.

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