DUBAI, June 17: The long-anticipated single tourist visa for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has been officially approved and is now in the final stages before implementation, according to UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. 
Al Marri confirmed the unified visa’s approval and said it is currently with the Ministry of Interior and other relevant stakeholders for execution.

“The single GCC tourist visa has been approved and is now awaiting implementation—hopefully soon,” Al Marri stated. “It is now with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant authorities who are looking into the next steps.” Industry leaders have hailed the unified visa as a transformative step for the region’s tourism and economic landscape. Experts predict it will significantly boost regional tourism by simplifying travel across member states, promoting multi-destination visits, and fostering the growing trend of "bleisure" travel, where business trips are extended for leisure purposes.

According to the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf, the GCC received 68.1 million visitors in 2023, generating a record $110.4 billion in tourism revenue—a 42.8% increase in tourist arrivals compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

In the UAE, the travel and tourism sector continues to play a vital role in the national economy. Data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) shows the sector supported 833,000 jobs in 2023. Projections indicate that the number could exceed one million by 2030, outpacing WTTC's forecast of 928,000 jobs by 2034, potentially accounting for one in every nine residents employed in the industry.

Dubai, a key tourism hub in the region, recorded 7.15 million international visitors in the first four months of 2025, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

The introduction of a unified GCC tourist visa is expected to further accelerate this momentum, positioning the region as a seamless and attractive destination for global travelers.