The Unified GCC Grand Tours Visa faces a slight delay, and the revised version is expected to launch sometime in 2026. This postponement is due to the ongoing technical and security preparations across the member states.
The travellers will have to wait before they can travel across theGulf countries, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Omanmore comfortably and efficiently.
Using a single visa, the unified GCC Grand Tours Visa allows travellers to travel across Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, the 6 GCC member states.
The GCC Grand Tours Visa aims to benefit travellers seeking to combine any of the 6 Gulf countries in a single trip. The visa simplifies entry procedures, encourages longer stays, and makes trips more convenient.
The Grand Tourist Visa is facing a slight delay due to challenges in aligning complex immigration systems across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
Each country has its own security protocols, security standards and biometric systems. To bring everything into alignment across all participating countries requires legal agreements, careful procedures, and security testing frameworks.
Any mistake can be a significant compromise on the security, which makes the delay even more vital and justifiable.
In the meantime, the travellers are expected to continue to follow the country-specific travel requirements. This may include applying for separate eVisas, visas on arrival or other travel permits required for each destination.
Additionally, the GCC states have improved their entry protocols and made it easier for international travellers.
Despite the delay in the unified tourist visa, it remains a strategically significant project for boosting tourism in these 6 Gulf countries in the long run. The post-launch is expected to strengthen the Gulf’s position as a more connected and competitive travel destination.
Travellers can wait for the new launch and, in the meantime, follow the current travel rules for the Gulf countries. If everything goes as planned, the revised version of the Unified GCC Grand Tours Visa will be a significant turning point for travellers to the Gulf.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - For a more detailed overview of current visas affecting individuals arriving in Bahrain, please visit the online Bahrain eVisa portal.
