GCC Grand Tours Visa is the new visa for six Gulf countries which allows travellers to visit these countries for over 30 days. This unified tourist visa has been formed by six countries that work through an official group called the “Gulf Cooperation Council” (GCC). The main aim of this Schengen-type visa model is to boost the economy and make travel convenient around the regions.
What is a GCC Grand Tour Visa?
The Grand Tour Visa has been formed based on a Schengen visa where the bearer can visit all six member countries on one visa. UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Tariq Almari announced it on 6 May 2024.
It is expected that the visa fee will also be the same for every member country. It is also likely that the visa form will be the same as well.
Which countries are part of the GCC?
There are six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) :
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- Oman
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
Gaining this vis from one country will be good enough to travel around the whole region of these six countries. Similar to the Schengen visa system, holders of the visa will be able to enter and exit these countries to do sightseeing and meet friends or family. However, we will have to wait and see what will be the requirements and procedure of the visa application.
When is the GCC Grand Tour Visa starting?
Till now, the official announcement of the commencement of the visa has not been made. But Khalid Jasim Al Midfa of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Authority (SCTDA) has said that the visa would be available till the end of 2024.
The work on this visa has been in process since October last year and was pending approvals from member GCC countries. Now all countries have agreed upon the terms of the GCC Grand Tour Visa so the process will be faster and soon the tourists will be able to enjoy this new facility.
Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrooq who is Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism confirmed that feedback on the unified visa (Grand Tour Visa) plan was prepared by December 2023. This year, in April, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Emirates Minister of Economy urged the importance of this new visa in attracting tourists. He also highlighted its potential to present the Gulf Region’s attractive tourist destinations.
It can be said that the UAE is the pioneer of this visa as it has immense experience in increasing tourism in a short time. So this country will use its experience and help the region to boost an economy that will help the local labor market to flourish.
Requirements of GCC Grand Tours Visa
We asked about visa requirements with the immigration expert Mr Umer Rasib. He said,
The visa system works on a tourism basis, so the requirements can be;
- ID documents;
- Travel reservation for flights;
- Hotel booking confirmation;
- Plan of the tour (Itinerary)
- Information about the family members
- personal documents such as birth certificates of children, marriage registration certificates;
- Financial information such as bank statements;
- Information about self-employment or job; and
- A concrete plan for which countries you will be traveling to.
He further added,
“This excellent initiative of the Gulf countries shows that they have realized the importance of tourism in the region. The credit at the utmost level goes to the UAE that drafted the whole visa system and agreed with other GCC member countries for the implementation. Since the draft has been ready for the “Grand Tours Visa”, it is now hoped the visa system will be ready at the end of this year”.