The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has approved the launch of a unified “one-stop” travel system aimed at streamlining cross-border movement within the region. The UAE and Bahrain have been selected to pilot the initiative’s first phase this December.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi made the announcement during the 42nd meeting of GCC Interior Ministers in Kuwait City, confirming that the system will first apply to air travel between the two countries. The framework allows travelers to complete all entry, exit, and security checks at a single checkpoint, removing the need for separate inspections upon arrival.
If successful, the GCC plans to expand the system to all six member states. Local media reports indicate that passengers under the new setup will go through all immigration and customs procedures before departure, allowing them to be treated as domestic arrivals upon landing.
The move aligns with the bloc’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional connectivity and tourism, coinciding with preparations for the rollout of the GCC Grand Tourist Visa—a Schengen-style system enabling multi-country travel within the Gulf. UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri described it as a “strategic step towards deeper regional integration.”
According to Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb, the unified visa could become fully operational by 2026 or 2027. Both projects are expected to redefine travel across the Gulf, boosting economic and tourism cooperation among member nations.
