The official cost of the new GCC unified visa has finally been announced — from 90 to 130 dollars, roughly 330–480 dirhams depending on the type. Exact figures are still being finalized, but the range is clear. Now UAE residents can calculate how beneficial the new system will be compared to the current one, where separate visas must be obtained for each country.
At the moment, the cheapest visa in the region is Oman’s — 48 dirhams for 28 days. Qatar charges around 100–105 dirhams for a single-entry one-month visa. Saudi Arabia, however, asks for 525 dirhams for a one-year multiple-entry visa, with mandatory insurance already included in the price. Bahrain’s visa costs 284 dirhams for a single entry, but if a three-month multiple-entry visa is required, the price jumps to 756 dirhams. Kuwait recently switched to a visa-on-arrival system for GCC residents — about 250–300 dirhams. Simple arithmetic shows that a trip to three or four Gulf countries currently costs between 800 and 1,200 dirhams in visa fees alone. Against this background, a unified permit for 480 dirhams looks quite reasonable.
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Two visa versions
The system offers a choice between a single-entry visa for one country and a multiple-entry permit covering all six GCC states:
- UAE,
- Saudi Arabia,
- Kuwait,
- Oman,
- Qatar,
- Bahrain.
The duration can be selected from 30 to 90 days, giving flexibility for planning. The mechanism works similarly to the European Schengen Area: you enter once and can then move freely between countries. There’s no need to track different expiration dates, fill out separate applications for each state, or navigate individual requirements.
Business travelers who regularly move around the Gulf will especially appreciate the simplification. Instead of piles of documents for meetings in Riyadh, conferences in Muscat, and projects in Doha, one permit will be enough. Families planning multi-country trips can book tickets confidently, knowing that borders won’t be an issue. Tourism experts predict a 20–30% increase in regional travel during the first year simply due to the removal of bureaucratic barriers. Convenience outweighs even the cost savings — though those are also clear.
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How to apply
Applications will be fully digital through official GCC websites. The standard set of documents includes:
- a valid passport with at least six months before expiration,
- photographs,
- proof of accommodation booking,
- return tickets,
- and travel insurance.
Processing will take a few days rather than weeks, as is currently the case with some e-visas. No embassy visits or paper forms will be required — everything will be handled online from start to finish. The exact launch date has not yet been announced, but all indications point to late 2025 or early 2026. The system is being tested in the fourth quarter of 2025, after which full implementation will begin, taking into account the results of the pilot phase.
Travel agencies are already developing “Grand GCC Tour” routes covering Dubai’s skyscrapers, Oman’s wadis, and Qatar’s museums. Dubai real estate regulation news often mentions the growing interest of foreign buyers, many of whom come from neighboring Gulf countries. The simplified visa regime could further stimulate this demand. For property owners renting apartments to tourists, the unified visa means an expanded potential audience.
A visitor from Saudi Arabia can now easily combine a trip to Dubai with a visit to Oman, staying longer in the region. This is also relevant in the context of Dubai inheritance law, as many Gulf families own assets in the emirate and plan to transfer them to the next generation. If you’re only going to Oman, the local 48-dirham visa will remain the cheapest option. But for those who plan regular travel around the Gulf, the unified visa offers savings and eliminates the headache of paperwork. A weekend in Muscat, a business meeting in Doha, a family holiday in Bahrain — all this becomes easier with a single move.
