Global Mobility Lawyer: GCC to launch unified multi-entry visa for regional travel

Partner Abeer Al Husseini provides insight in The Global Mobility Lawyer on the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) new unified multi-entry visa—known as the GCC Grand Tours Visa—which will allow non-GCC nationals to travel freely across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The visa, approved in 2023 and slated to launch in 2026, is primarily intended for tourism and family visits. However, its implications for business travel and employer compliance remain uncertain.

Abeer notes that each GCC member maintains distinct immigration, labour and security frameworks, explaining that “coordinating these systems will be crucial to ensure consistent standards and procedures across the region.” She also highlights the need for harmonised data-sharing and enforcement mechanisms, emphasising that success will depend on a “robust, interoperable framework” similar to the Schengen model in Europe.

Fragomen advises multinational employers across the GCC on immigration policy developments, compliance obligations and workforce mobility strategies.

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