Albudaiwi: Unified Gulf Tourist Visa set for imminent launch

According to the Saudi Gazette, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Albudaiwi, has announced that the long-anticipated Unified Gulf Tourist Visa is set for an imminent launch. Speaking at the Security and History Dialogue 2026 conference in Riyadh, Albudaiwi framed the initiative as a pivotal step toward deepening regional integration and streamlining travel for international visitors across the six member states.

The proposed visa system is designed to allow foreign tourists to move freely between Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman under a single permit. By simplifying entry requirements, the GCC aims to bolster the tourism sector and position the Gulf as a cohesive, multi-destination travel hub. This move is part of a broader strategy to diversify regional economies away from a primary reliance on hydrocarbons.

Beyond tourism, Albudaiwi highlighted the importance of security cooperation among member states. He noted that recent meetings between GCC interior ministers, held in response to regional security challenges including threats from Iran, have resulted in enhanced coordination. These security measures are intended to provide a stable environment for the anticipated increase in regional tourism and economic activity. While a specific launch date for the visa has not been finalized, the announcement signals that the project has moved into its final stages of implementation.