Schengen-style GCC Unified Tourist Visa Approved, World News will be rolled out soon

According to UAE’s economy minister Abdullah bin Tauk al -Marry, a long -aided GCC Unified Tourist Visa has been officially approved and will be rolled out in the near future. The move is seen as an important milestone that can reopen the travel landscape of the region, which enables spontaneous tourism in all six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait.Confirming the development, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) economy minister Abdullah bin Tuk al Mary said the integrated visa has already been approved and is currently waiting for the rollout. Speaking on the occasion of UAE Hospitality Summer Camp Conference on Monday, June 16, 2025 on the occasion of UAE Hospitality Summer Camp Press Conference, Al Mary told the Khalij Times:“Single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and now awaited to implement it, hopefully, soon. Now, it is with the internal ministry and relevant stakeholders and they should look into it. , The visa, which is sometimes referred to as a “GCC Grand Tour Visa”, is designed to perform the same act as a Schengen visa in Europe, which allows tourists to travel independently in countries participating with a single permit. This integrated document will simplify the journey by eliminating the need to apply for different visas in each country in the Gulf block, despite that countries are well connected by air and roads.

Industry Reactions: Promote ‘Blazire’ and Regional GDP

Leaders of traveling and hospitality regions have welcomed the approval of integrated GCC tourist visas, called it a “game-chain” for the region’s tourism industry and comprehensive economies. Industry officials believe that the new visa will increase the tourism flow between six Gulf countries by making the border travel travel more accessible and convenient for international visitors.A major expected result is the rise of the “Blazire” journey, a mixture of business and holiday, as visitors are more likely to expand their migration to detect neighboring sites during work trips. This, in turn, can over -time average travel duration and more distribution of tourists’ expenses in the entire region.Integrated visas are also seen as a catalyst for economic development beyond tourism alone. Industry leaders estimate that access to cross -border will encourage new employment generation, attract investment in hospitality and infrastructure, and encourages maximum regional cooperation in promoting the Gulf as a single, harmonious destination.

Record Tourism Number: GCC is ready for a tourism boom

The visa rollout falls behind the statistics of strong post-pandemic recovery in the travel area of ​​the Gulf. According to data released by the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for Arab countries of Gulf, the area was recorded:

In the UAE, in particular, tourism continues national economic development. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC):

Dubai led Serge

Dubai is already determining a global tourist magnet, speed. According to data from Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Emirates welcomed:

Such a number reinforces the status of Dubai as a central center in the GCC’s comprehensive tourism ecosystem. With the integrated visa being effective, other cities and countries of the region benefit from Dubai traffic through extended journey program and regional travel circuits.

What will happen next?

While an accurate rollout date has not yet been publicly confirmed, the integrated visa has been officially approved and is now being reviewed in the UAE and by the Interior Ministry and other relevant officials in the GCC. Many Gulf Ministers and senior officials have indicated in recent months that the integrated visa will be introduced “soon”. Once implemented, the visa will enable:

This initiative not only aligns with long -term regional integration goals, but also aims to create a more attractive destination for international tourists by offering a smooth and more expander travel experience to the GCC.