Unified GCC Visa: What UAE Travellers Will Pay Compared to Current eVisa Costs
Ashwini Gambo
Dubai:
The long-awaited Unified GCC Visa is set to make regional travel easier and more affordable for UAE residents and tourists. The visa, expected to roll out soon across all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait will allow visitors to move freely between member states using a single permit, similar to Europe’s Schengen visa model.
Officials estimate the new unified visa will cost between $90 and $130 (Dh330–Dh480), depending on type and duration. Travellers will be able to choose between a single-country permit or a multi-entry “GCC Grand Tour” visa, valid for 30 to 90 days. The multi-country version is likely to be priced higher, similar to current multiple-entry eVisas used in individual GCC countries.
Currently, UAE residents must apply for separate eVisas for each Gulf country, which can be costly and time-consuming. For instance, an Oman eVisa costs around Dh48, while a Qatar eVisa is approximately Dh100. Travelling to Bahrain, however, can cost up to Dh756 for a three-month multiple-entry visa. With the new unified permit, travellers could save both money and effort, especially if visiting several Gulf destinations in one trip.
Officials from the GCC Secretariat have confirmed that the Unified GCC Visa will also promote tourism, business travel, and cultural exchange across the region. The initiative aligns with the Gulf bloc’s shared goal of enhancing economic integration, boosting regional tourism, and simplifying cross-border mobility under the “GCC 2030 Vision.”
Once launched, the visa will likely be available through official GCC travel portals, embassy channels, and approved tourism operators. Travellers are advised to check each country’s immigration guidelines once implementation begins, as local variations in entry requirements may still apply.
The Unified GCC Visa is being hailed as a transformative step for the Gulf travel industry, potentially opening the door for seamless movement between desert resorts, cultural heritage sites, and modern metropolises like Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh all under a single travel document.
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