GCC Visa Cost for Indian Travellers Revealed
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has revealed new details about its much-anticipated “Schengen-style” unified tourist visa, which will allow travellers to visit multiple Gulf countries using a single permit. According to officials, the Unified GCC Visa is expected to cost between $90 and $130 (₹7,500–₹10,800), depending on the duration and type of entry.
The multi-country visa will enable seamless travel across all six GCC nations — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman — without requiring separate visas for each country. The fee will vary based on whether the visa is single-entry or multiple-entry, and the validity period, which may range from 30 to 90 days.
The GCC aims to launch the new visa soon as part of its broader strategy to boost regional tourism and make the Gulf a more competitive destination for global travellers. The unified visa system mirrors the European Schengen model, which allows free movement across multiple countries on a single travel document.
For Indian tourists, the unified visa is expected to simplify travel planning and reduce overall costs, especially for those visiting multiple Gulf nations. Currently, visa fees differ by country — for instance, Saudi Arabia’s one-year multiple-entry e-visa costs around SAR 535 (₹12,000), while Oman charges OMR 5 (₹1,000) for a 28-day visit.
Officials said the initiative reflects the GCC’s growing cooperation on tourism and economic integration under the region’s Vision 2030 goals, which aim to attract millions of visitors annually through easier travel and shared infrastructure.