The Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) Schengen-style visa is set to go live next year, allowing travellers to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman using a single application.
Called GCC Grand Tours, this is a unified visa for short stays (up to 90 days) for 29 European countries.
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, said Gulf Cooperation Council countries are witnessing a historic transformation in their tourism sectors, “with tourism emerging as a key economic pillar alongside oil and trade”.
Separately, Saudi Arabia has unveiled a world-first ‘Visa by Profile’ system to issue tourist visas in minutes through digital integration with Visa credit cards.
It leverages travellers’ credit scores to ensure financial solvency.
The initiative is expected to launch in 2026, with plans for further expansion as additional banks and credit card issuers join the collaboration.
Saudi's minister of tourism said, “This signifies a substantial transformation in how nations promote mobility – featuring faster decisions, more efficient systems, and a seamless experience for travellers worldwide.”