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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is preparing to trial a new “one-stop” travel system from December 2025, in what officials describe as a major step towards smoother, faster and more integrated regional mobility. According to specialist immigration firm Fragomen, the pilot will initially apply to flights between the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Under the scheme, GCC nationals travelling on selected routes will complete immigration and security formalities only at their point of departure. Once they land in the partner country, they will be able to exit the airport without repeating checks, creating a streamlined process similar to intra-EU travel. The initiative is intended to reduce congestion at regional airports and shorten queues during peak travel periods, while also laying the groundwork for deeper cooperation among GCC states. If the trial performs well, officials hope to extend the system to all six member countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Pathway to Wider Mobility
The simplified travel corridor is also being viewed as an early building block for future policy shifts. GCC authorities have previously indicated that, once internal systems prove reliable, a similar model could be considered for non-GCC nationals, potentially easing travel for millions of international visitors. This effort aligns with the long-planned GCC Unified Tourist Visa, sometimes referred to as the “GCC Grand Tours Visa.” Inspired by Europe’s Schengen framework, the visa will enable travellers to move freely across all six Gulf states under one permit.
Approved by interior ministers in November 2023, the unified visa was originally expected by the end of 2025 but is now anticipated to launch in 2026. The scheme is central to the GCC’s ambition to present itself as a single, connected tourism destination, supported by significant investment in hospitality, transport and digital border systems.
A Boost for Global and Regional Travel
For international markets such as India, the visa is expected to simplify travel planning and stimulate both tourism and business activity. A single permit would remove the need for multiple applications, reduce administrative costs and potentially improve the interoperability of arrival systems across the region. Analysts also note that smoother mobility could complement larger economic and infrastructure initiatives, including supply-chain integration and emerging transnational transport corridors. For small and medium-sized enterprises, reduced visa-related friction may lower costs and encourage more cross-Gulf commercial engagement.
As the GCC continues to diversify its economies and broaden its appeal to international travellers, the combination of streamlined airport procedures and a future unified visa represent one of the most ambitious mobility reforms the region has pursued. The coming year’s pilot will be watched closely by policymakers, aviation partners and travellers alike, as it marks the first tangible step towards a more connected Gulf.
