The bloc’s chief stated on Wednesday that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) sanctioned the initial stage of a “one-stop” travel system that would enable the Gulf Arab nationals to accomplish all travel processes at a single place.
Meanwhile, the new system would initially have a trial period of air travel between the UAE and Bahrain.
“One-stop” travel system would be introduced into all the GCC member states in case it proves successful, Jasem Al-Budaiwi informed KUNA on the discussions that took place between the interior ministers of the six-member bloc.
Albudaiwi unveiled the new travel scheme at the 42nd meeting of GCC interior ministers, which was held in Kuwait on Wednesday. He also affirmed that the pilot phase will be introduced in December 2025 between the UAE and Bahrain.
Albudaiwi said that the ministers’ meeting also produced an exhaustive “GCC security strategy” to combat money laundering, as well as a single electronic system that interconnects travel breaches of the members of the Riyadh-based bloc before the first GCC security conference is held in Abu Dhabi in 2027.
The introduction of the “one-stop” travel system follows the GCC region’s preparation to introduce the much-anticipated unified tourist visa.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, revealed that the unified GCC tourist visa’s pilot launch is expected in the fourth quarter of 2025, earlier this year.
The minister informed WAM that the pilot launch will be announced prior to the full implementation at a later stage.
He further pointed out that the GCC tourist visa is a strategic move towards increased integration of the region and will augment the appeal of the Gulf as one tourism destination.
Al-Budaiwi affirmed in September that the much-anticipated GCC common tourist visa is on the verge of being formally implemented. The project is referred to as the Unified Tourist Visa “GCC Grand Tours” and it is in the final stages of approval after long years of planning.
Al-Budaiwi further contributed that the unified visa GCC program is an extension of a broader vision to expand mobility in the region and to welcome foreign tourists.
When it becomes functional, the system will enable tourists to travel between Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates using a single Gulf visa.
Al-Budaiwi pointed out that the endorsed unified GCC tourist visa should facilitate travel logistics among tourists and GCC country residents.
Under the implementation process, travelers will be in a position to obtain a unified GCC visa using a digital platform by applying online.
