Skip to main content

This new visa lets you visit 6 Gulf countries with one permit

Explore Bahrain to UAE with one visa under new GCC plan

By Amanda Teague Jul 24, 2025 5:00 AM

passport book on table open with stamps — Global Residence Index / Unsplash

Traveling between Gulf countries is about to get much easier. A new Schengen-style visa, called the GCC Grand Tours Visa, will soon allow tourists to explore Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates with a single permit.

Approved in 2023, the Unified Tourist Visa, also referred to as the Unified GCC Visa and the GCC Grand Tours Visa, aims to streamline travel across the region and promote multi-country tourism. Rather than applying for separate visas for each destination, eligible travelers will be able to access all six countries through a single online portal.

Recommended Videos

Expected to launch by late 2025 or early 2026, the visa will be available for tourists, short-term visitors, and those visiting friends or family. Employment and long-term stays will not be permitted under this visa.

How can I apply for the Unified Tourist Visa?

While the Unified Tourist Visa system is not yet live, officials say the application process will be fully digital and managed through a dedicated online portal once launched.

To apply, travelers will need to provide personal details and trip information, including the purpose of their visit, travel dates, and their planned itinerary, such as how they intend to move between countries.

Applicants can choose between a single-country visa or a multi-country option covering all six participating Gulf states. Supporting documents will likely include:

A valid passport
Passport-style photo
Proof of accommodation
Travel insurance
Proof of sufficient funds
A confirmed return or onward ticket to a non-GCC country

Once approved, the visa will be emailed to the applicant, though travelers will also need to carry a printed copy with them during their trip.

While the official fee hasn’t been announced yet, authorities suggest that the multi-country option will be a more affordable alternative to applying for six individual visas.

Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word… Read Full Bio

Topics

Destinations

4 wildlife trips worth traveling for this fall

Kenya

Sometimes the best time to experience the wild isn’t always the busiest time. Across some of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife destinations, the shoulder seasons bring their own rewards that can draw travelers in. Wildlife travel is a type of travel I’ve recently become increasingly fascinated with, and I hope to do more of it in the coming years.

Traveling in the fall for fewer crowds, dramatic landscapes, more unique seasonal animal behaviors, and intimate encounters simply makes sense to me. As many safari destinations reopen for the season this fall, these five wildlife trips will get you inspiration for your next adventure.

First Look: Hard Rock is Opening a Baller Resort and Spa in Malta

Indoors, Architecture, Building

A petite rocky paradise which, as an island, is in itself a UNESCO World Heritage site, Malta’s popularity has been steadily growing. And paired with Delta’s first direct flight from JFK, today’s announcement of the Hard Rock Hotel Malta’s opening may be the perfect reason to pack your bags and explore this otherworldly Mediterranean archipelago, just south of Sicily.

As the red-headed stepchild of bigger, more popular destinations like Greece, Croatia, Spain and even Turkey, Malta offers all the perks of a Southern European holiday in a pared-down, more compact setting. Yup, you still get beautiful beaches and clear turquoise water, but you’ll also be able to explore the easy-to-traverse prehistoric temples, Roman-era remains and Neolithic carvings, as well as access thriving local traditions like its Ventian-like dghajsa boats. With its new resort, however, Hard Rock hopes to cement the island country as a more sophisticated hotspot for International travelers, offering the first combination of 5-star luxury, beach club and live entertainment.

These Are the World’s Most Instagrammable Cities in the Fall

Road, City, Street

A new study has revealed that Paris is the most Instagrammable place for autumn travel. Having been there myself — albeit, in the winter — I can see why. Growing up in Los Angeles, you’re not accustomed to seeing the landscape change around you after each season. This is why yours truly is hitting up Portland, Maine, soon to experience foliage season. Paris in the fall is now on the bucket list.

The September 2026 study on the most Instagrammable places for autumn travel was conducted by Duel.com, which looked at how many Instagram hashtags each city has, along with the number of sights and landmarks available to photograph. It also measured average September temperatures and the overall cost of a trip. Each city was scored out of 100, revealing the best cities for travelers looking for the right angle and backdrop.