Pack your bags, jet-setters. The Gulf is about to become your next ultimate multi-stop getaway, no extra paperwork needed.  A UAE minister has officially confirmed that a Schengen-style unified tourist visa for all six GCC countries is finally happening.

“The single GCC visa has been approved and should be rolled out soon,” revealed UAE’s Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri at a press event.

That means with one visa, you’ll be able to hop between Dubai’s skyscrapers, Oman’s mountains, Qatar’s museums, Bahrain’s beaches, Saudi Arabia’s mega projects, and Kuwait’s culture scene, all in a single trip.

Say Hello to the GCC Grand Tours Visa!

Nicknamed the “GCC Grand Tours Visa”, the new system is being compared to Europe’s Schengen visa, and yes, it’s that big of a deal.

Forget applying separately for each country. This new visa will give you free rein across the Gulf, making travel cheaper, faster, and way more fun.

Work Hard, Play Harder

Experts say the visa could spark a leisure boom, where business travellers stay longer to explore the region. Think quick meetings in Riyadh, followed by a weekend in Dubai or Muscat.

Plus, it’s expected to supercharge:

• Tourism across all six countries
• Job creation in hotels and travel
• Billions in tourism spending
• New resorts and attractions on the way!

Gulf Tourism Is Already on Fire

The Gulf isn’t just bouncing back from the pandemic — it’s booming:

• 68.1 million visitors in 2023
• $110.4 billion in tourism revenue
• 42.8% increase in arrivals vs pre-Covid

In the UAE, tourism supported 833,000 jobs in 2022, and this number is expected to reach 1 million by 2030.

Dubai’s Still the Star of the Show

Dubai is leading the regional tourism charge with 7.15 million visitors in just the first four months of 2025, up 7% from last year. And once the unified visa kicks in, expect those numbers to skyrocket.

When Can You Use the Visa?

While there’s no official launch date yet, the visa has cleared its biggest hurdle, government approval. It’s now in the hands of the Ministry of Interior and key stakeholders.

As regional airspace disruptions affect flight paths across the Middle East, the UAE has swiftly activated an emergency operations plan to keep airport services running smoothly and ensure traveller safety.

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) confirmed it has increased staffing across all UAE airports, deploying qualified teams around the clock. These efforts are part of a coordinated response to recent airspace closures in neighbouring countries that have forced airlines to reroute flights.

To minimise disruption, the ICP is working closely with strategic partners and airport operators to fast-track procedures, provide real-time updates to passengers, and ensure immigration and customs processes continue seamlessly.

Authorities have also rolled out support services for delayed travellers, including logistics assistance and access to information desks.

“The safety and service experience of passengers remain our top priority,” the ICP said in a statement, urging travellers to stay updated through official channels.

The UAE’s swift action underlines its commitment to operational readiness and reinforces its reputation as a global travel and logistics hub, even in the face of unexpected regional challenges.

Dubai-based airline flydubai will resume daytime flights to Jordan and Lebanon starting Tuesday, June 17, as regional tensions continue to disrupt air travel across the Middle East.

The airline had warned passengers of ongoing disruptions due to congested airspace and shifting geopolitical conditions. Travellers should expect delays, cancellations, and rerouted journeys.

Flights to Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Syria, however, will remain suspended until at least June 20. Services to Minsk and St. Petersburg are also expected to resume on Tuesday.

Ongoing Regional Disruptions

The update follows a tense weekend across the region, with multiple airspace closures and increased military activity prompting several airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, to modify flight routes and schedules for safety.

flydubai emphasised that safety remains its top priority and confirmed it would continue to monitor conditions closely.

What Passengers Should Do

Travellers are urged to keep their contact information updated via the “Manage Booking” section on flydubai.com and to check flight statuses regularly for the latest updates.