GCC Unified Visa 2026The "Grand Tours" Visa - Status & Today's Gulf Entry Rules

Approved & announced · not yet live per our dataset

Member states
6
Visa-free grants (sum of 6 states)
230
Visa on arrival grants
289
eTA / e-Visa grants
188

What Is the GCC Unified Tourist Visa?

The six Gulf Cooperation Council states - United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait - have approved a Schengen-style joint tourist visa, announced as the "GCC Grand Tours" visa: one application, one authorisation, tourism travel across all six - the way a single Schengen visa covers the Schengen area.

Status: approved, but not yet live per our dataset - every Gulf entry rule we record is still issued per state. Confirm rollout on official GCC or member-state channels before planning a trip around it.

The Six GCC Member States

Nationalities admitted at each level today.

🇦🇪United Arab Emirates

45 visa-free · 45 on arrival · 0 eTA/e-visa

🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

6 visa-free · 0 on arrival · 64 eTA/e-visa

🇶🇦Qatar

87 visa-free · 9 on arrival · 0 eTA/e-visa

🇴🇲Oman

82 visa-free · 0 on arrival · 116 eTA/e-visa

🇧🇭Bahrain

5 visa-free · 182 on arrival · 8 eTA/e-visa

🇰🇼Kuwait

5 visa-free · 53 on arrival · 0 eTA/e-visa

Until It Launches: Visa Rules per GCC State

Six separate systems, for now. "Visa required" means no visa-free, on-arrival, eTA or e-visa grant is recorded - apply in advance.

Swipe sideways for all six states

Passport🇦🇪UAE🇸🇦Saudi Arabia🇶🇦Qatar🇴🇲Oman🇧🇭Bahrain🇰🇼Kuwait
🇮🇳IndiaVisa requiredVisa requiredOn arrival 30de-VisaOn arrivalVisa required
🇵🇰PakistanVisa requiredVisa requiredVisa requirede-Visae-VisaVisa required
🇵🇭PhilippinesVisa requiredVisa requiredVisa requiredVisa-free 14dOn arrivalVisa required
🇪🇬EgyptVisa requiredVisa requiredVisa requirede-VisaOn arrivalVisa required
🇺🇸United StatesOn arrival 90de-Visa 90dVisa-free 90dVisa-free 14dOn arrivalOn arrival 90d
🇬🇧United KingdomOn arrival 90de-Visa 90dVisa-free 30dVisa-free 14dOn arrivalOn arrival 90d

Dataset last updated 2026-08-22. Check each destination page for full nationality lists.

Already a GCC Resident? Your Permit Unlocks Neighbours

The closest live thing to a unified Gulf visa: credential-based access for GCC residence-permit holders into other member states, regardless of nationality - usually limited to permits valid 3+ months and, in some states, to eligible professions. Verify on each state's official portal before travelling.

  • 🇧🇭Bahraine-Visa · 90d
  • 🇰🇼KuwaitOn arrival · 90d
  • 🇴🇲OmanVisa-free · 14d
  • 🇴🇲OmanOn arrival · 28d
  • 🇶🇦Qatare-Visa · 30d
  • 🇸🇦Saudi ArabiaOn arrival · 90d

GCC Unified Visa FAQ

What is the GCC unified visa (Grand Tours visa)?

It is a planned Schengen-style joint tourist visa approved by the six Gulf Cooperation Council states - United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait - announced under the "GCC Grand Tours" name. One application would allow travel across all six countries, instead of today's separate per-state visas. It is approved but not yet live.

Is the GCC unified visa available now?

Not yet, per our dataset - every Gulf entry rule we record is still issued by an individual state, so a UAE visa does not admit you to Saudi Arabia, and so on. See the status box above.

Which countries will the GCC unified visa cover?

The six GCC member states: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait. The announced concept covers tourism travel across all six with a single authorisation, similar to how one Schengen visa covers the Schengen area.

Do I need separate visas for each Gulf country today?

Yes - each state decides its own policy, and access differs sharply by passport. For example, 182 nationalities get visa on arrival in Bahrain while Saudi Arabia offers its tourist e-visa to 64 nationalities. Check each destination page, or the matrix on this page, for your passport.

Does a GCC residence permit already unlock travel between Gulf states?

Partially, yes. GCC residence-permit holders get credential-based access to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia - typically visa on arrival or e-visa, often limited to eligible professions and permits valid 3+ months. Conditions vary per state; verify on each state's official portal.

Gulf Visa Guides by Nationality

Detailed entry rules, stay limits and document notes for popular Gulf trips.

Show all 36 guides

Related Guides

Check your visa options for every Gulf state

All six states at once, including credential-based routes.

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