Will it be possible to travel to All GCC Countries With One Visa?
As a tourist hot spot, the Gulf region is one of the most exciting yet possibly underrated destinations on earth, particularly for Western visitors.
Offering an exotic mix of futuristic cities, golden deserts, and centuries of fascinating history, this part of the Middle East will capture your heart and stimulate all of your senses.
However, given that it comprises all six of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, many prospective travelers wonder if they can move freely between them using just one visa.
It is a fair question to ask. Especially since the European Union has Schengen visas that allow visitors to cross multiple borders without extra paperwork. So, is there a similar system in place in the Gulf? Does a GCC tourist visa cover the region as a whole?
In this post, we will break it down for you.
What is the GCC?
Often referred to by the abbreviation GCC, the Gulf Cooperation Council is a political and economic union that includes six countries:
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
- Oman
As they are linked by cultural ties, economic cooperation, and shared goals for growth, these nations form one of the fastest-growing regions in the world for tourism and business.
For travelers from all over the world, this means there are now exciting opportunities to explore everything from the modern skylines of Dubai to the heritage sites of Oman.
Is There a Unified GCC Tourist Visa Today?
As of now, there is no official single visa that automatically allows entry into all GCC countries. Instead, each country currently has its own visa policies, requirements, and application processes. Therefore, if you want to visit more than one of these Gulf states, you will likely need separate visas for each of them.
However, change is on the horizon. For several years now, the GCC has been discussing a GCC unified tourist visa. If it manifests, it will function similarly to the Schengen-style visa in Europe. Hence, visitors would be able to travel across borders within the Gulf without reapplying for new documents.
There is genuine optimism amongst all members of the GCC that this new visa will be introduced in the not-too-distant future. When it is, it would simplify tourism within the region and encourage more people to make multi-country trips.
Why the Idea Matters
The GCC is increasingly focused on tourism. For instance, recently, Saudi Arabia has opened its borders and started investing heavily in the tourism sector. At the same time, the UAE remains a global hub, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi being among the world's most visited cities. Even Qatar, after hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has seen its tourism sector grow rapidly since the conclusion of the tournament.
If a single visa for the whole region were introduced by the GCC, it would make it much easier for international travelers to plan extended itineraries. That is because instead of having to pick one destination, visitors would be able to combine several of them.
Imagine a week-long trip that includes Dubai's nightlife, a desert safari in Oman, and cultural tours in Riyadh, all with one visa. How exciting would that be?
Current Visa Options in Each Country
Since the GCC tourist visa is not yet in place, it is worth taking a quick look at the current requirements for each country.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE has one of the most straightforward systems of all the GCC countries.
Citizens of many countries, including the UK and the USA, can get a visa on arrival. However, others need to apply online for an eVisa. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most popular entry points, which makes the UAE a natural gateway for travel to the Gulf.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia launched its tourist visa as recently as 2019. In doing so, they opened the country up to visitors in a way unlike ever before. Travelers can apply online for an eVisa or, if they are eligible, get one on arrival. This move has helped to boost tourism levels within the country and support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan.
Qatar
Qatar also offers a mix of visa-free entry and electronic visas depending on your nationality.
The country has become more visible to travelers after it held the FIFA World Cup tournament. Its modern infrastructure makes it a convenient stop for those wanting to engage in multi-country travel within the Middle East.
Kuwait
Kuwait requires most tourists to apply for an eVisa before they arrive in the country. While it is not as widely visited as some of its GCC neighbors, Kuwait offers rich cultural experiences, which include the Kuwait Towers, Al Shaheed Park, and the Grand Mosque of Kuwait.
Bahrain
Bahrain has adopted flexible visa policies to encourage tourism. Many visitors there can get an eVisa online, and some can also receive visas on arrival.
Its capital, Manama, is known for its lively souks and modern skyline. It is becoming an increasingly popular destination for curious Westerners.
Oman
Oman is famous for the outstanding natural beauty of its landscapes, which include mountains, deserts, and a stunning coastline.
It is gaining traction among tourists who want a much slower pace than in other GCC countries. To visit it, the country requires most people to apply for an eVisa in advance of their arrival.
Travel Between GCC Countries
While each country has its own visa rules, traveling between them is relatively simple once you have the required documents.
There are plenty of scheduled direct flights, and they are frequent and short. Some take less than a couple of hours. For example, a flight from Dubai to Doha takes less than 90 minutes, and trips between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia can be made by car over the King Fahd Causeway.
This ease of movement makes the idea of a Schengen-style visa for GCC an even more attractive proposition. If it comes to fruition, it will allow tourists to take advantage of the close distances between the different countries, without having to deal with separate applications.
Who Would Benefit From a Unified GCC Visa?
A single visa would be valuable for many groups. They include:
- Tourists who want to plan a multi-country GCC holiday without the hassle of applying for multiple visas.
- Business travelers who need to attend meetings or events in different Gulf cities.
- Expatriates already living in one GCC country who want to explore the region more freely.
In short, anyone interested in cross-border travel within the Gulf region would benefit.
The Role of Tourism Growth
The push for a GCC unified tourist visa is actually tied to a much bigger vision. The region is aiming to become a global tourism super hub.
Each country is developing its own attractions to attract visitors. But together they can offer an even more diverse travel experience. This can include everything from luxury shopping in Dubai and religious festivals in Saudi Arabia, to sightseeing wonders in Kuwait and journeys of discovery in Bahrain.
There is no question that having a single visa for the region would boost numbers. However, it will also extend stays and increase spending across the region.
Perhaps best of all, it would also position the Gulf as a genuine and competitive alternative to Europe, South America or Southeast Asia for regional tourism.
What is Delaying the Launch of a Single GCC Visa
While the proposal for a unified visa is moving forward, its ratification and launch are taking longer than expected.
One of the main reasons for this is that security, technology, and border management systems will need to be aligned across all six countries. However, this appears to be a logistical hiccup as there is strong momentum within the region for such a visa to be introduced.
Many leading figures within the region have expressed support, and there seems to be a widespread desire among heads of each of the GCC countries to make it happen.
Final Thoughts
At the moment, you can't travel to all GCC countries on just one visa. Each of them requires its own application and approval. However, the days of this system appear to be numbered.
A GCC unified tourist visa is being discussed and could soon change the way people travel across the Gulf. It is not really a case of if it will happen. Rather more like when.
