The GCC Unified Tourist Visa will cover all six Gulf states on one permit — but it isn’t live yet, so for now you apply for each country’s national eVisa.
Here’s how the two compare and what each one is good for.
One Permit or Six Visas: The Core Difference
A national tourist eVisa lets you into one Gulf country. The unified visa is built to cover all six on a single permit.
Today, visiting Dubai and Doha on one trip means two applications, two fees and two rulebooks.
The GCC Unified Tourist Visa aims to collapse all of that into one permit for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
For a full breakdown of how the GCC unified visa will work — eligibility, timeline and how to apply — read our dedicated GCC Unified Tourist Visa guide.
How the Two Compare
The clearest way to see the difference is side by side.
| Feature | GCC Unified Visa | National Tourist eVisa |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | All six GCC states on one permit | One country per visa |
| Best for | Multi-country Gulf trips | Single-country visits |
| Application | One online application | A separate application per country |
| Cost | One fee (est. ~AED 330–480) | A fee for each country you enter |
| Validity | 30 days (single) to 60–90 days (multi-country) | Varies: 2 weeks to 1-year multiple entry |
| Availability | Expected in 2026; official launch date not yet published | Live now |
Unified-visa figures are indicative and unconfirmed, drawn from GCC briefings reported by Gulf News. Final pricing arrives with the official launch.
Benefits of the GCC Unified Visa
The unified visa is designed for travellers who want more than one Gulf country in a single trip.
- One application, one fee instead of buying several eVisas separately.
- Built for multi-country trips — pair Dubai, Muscat and Doha on one journey.
- Longer combined stay of up to 60–90 days on the multi-country option.
- One set of rules across the bloc, instead of six different systems.
- Likely cheaper than stacking eVisas for a three- or four-country itinerary.
The trade-off is timing: it isn’t available yet, and the official application portal has not opened.
Benefits of National Tourist eVisas
The six national eVisas are the proven option — and for many travellers, still the better one.
- Available right now, with no need to wait for a launch.
- Cheaper for a single country than a multi-country permit you won’t fully use.
- Fast processing, often instant to a few working days.
- Flexible options — Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain offer 1-year multiple-entry eVisas.
- Visa-free shortcuts for some nationalities, who skip the eVisa entirely.
The downside is for multi-country travellers: separate applications, separate fees and no single-trip continuity.
The Six National eVisas at a Glance
Each Gulf state issues its own tourist eVisa through an official portal. Fees below are indicative — your exact fee depends on nationality and is shown before you pay.
| Country | Official Portal | Indicative Fee | Validity & Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | ICP / GDRFA | From AED 250 (~USD 68) | 30, 60 or 90-day stays; validity varies by permit type |
| Saudi Arabia | Visit Saudi | SAR 535 (~USD 143) | 1-year multiple entry; up to 90 days total; ~66 eligible nationalities |
| Oman | Royal Oman Police | From OMR 5-20 (~USD 13-52) | Single-entry up to 30 days; 1-year multiple-entry option |
| Bahrain | Bahrain eVisa | From ~USD 24 (2-week) | 2-week single entry up to 1-year multiple entry |
| Qatar | Hayya Portal | ~QAR 100 (~USD 27) | 30 days, extendable once for 30 more |
| Kuwait | Ministry of Interior | Shown in the official portal before payment | Single-entry; entry permit valid 30 days, stay up to 90 days |
Our Kuwait eVisa guide and UAE visa validity guide go deeper on two of these.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the GCC Unified Tourist Visa now?
No. The unified visa project is confirmed but not yet launched. GCC officials say technical work is ongoing, and an official application portal has not opened. Until then, you must use each country’s national eVisa.
Will the unified visa replace national eVisas?
No. The unified visa is an additional option for multi-country travellers. Each Gulf state will keep its own national eVisa for single-country visits.
Is the unified visa cheaper than buying several eVisas?
Based on indicative figures, a single multi-country permit is likely cheaper than stacking separate eVisas across several countries. Final pricing has not been officially confirmed.
Which countries will the unified visa cover?
All six GCC states: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait. A separate UAE–Bahrain single-entry-point air travel project is already in trial, but GCC authorities have not published the tourist visa’s official launch route or portal.
Sources
- Gulf News — Unified GCC Visa Timeline
- GCC Secretariat — Unified Tourist Visa Project Update
- GCC Secretariat — UAE-Bahrain Single Entry Point Project
- UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)
- GDRFA Dubai — Tourist Visa Fees
- Saudi Arabia Official Tourist eVisa Portal
- Royal Oman Police eVisa
- Kingdom of Bahrain Electronic Visa Service
- Qatar Hayya Portal
- Kuwait Ministry of Interior Visa Portal
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
