Everything Nigerians need to know about the new GCC tourist visa

Travelling across the Gulf is about to get a whole lot easier. If you’ve dreamed of exploring Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman all in one trip, a new visa scheme is about to make that dream simpler and more practical.

The GCC Grand Tours Visa, also known as the Unified Tourist Visa, has been officially approved by all six Gulf countries: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. The visa is expected to roll out by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

What exactly is the GCC Tourist Visa?

The GCC Unified Visa is a single permit that allows travellers to visit multiple Gulf countries without needing to apply for separate visas for each one. It’s much like the Schengen visa in Europe, which allows easier travel across the region

Key details you should know

• The visa is expected to be valid for 30 to 90 days
• Both single-entry and multiple-entry options may be available
• The visa fee is estimated between $90 to $130.
• The process will be fully online.

RELATED: Vacationing in Qatar soon? Here’s everything thing you must know

Will Nigerians and other Africans be eligible for the GCC tourist visa?

While the official list of eligible countries has not yet been released, officials have indicated that the visa will be available to tourists from “most countries.” Based on how the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia currently handle visas for Nigerians and other African nationals, there is strong reason to believe that Nigeria and many African countries will be included when the system goes live.

Travellers from Africa who already qualify for individual Gulf e-visas are very likely to be eligible for this unified visa as well. However, we recommend watching for the official country list once it is published to confirm.

How to apply

Once the system goes live, here’s how the process will work:

1. Visit the official online portal (to be announced)
2. Select your visa type – single-country or multi-country
3. Fill in your personal and travel details
4. Upload required documents, likely including:

• • Valid passport (at least 6 months’ validity)
  • Recent passport photo (white background)
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Travel insurance
  • Proof of funds (like a recent bank statement)
  • Return or onward flight ticket
  • Pay the visa fee securely online
  • Receive your e-visa by email

We’ll keep an eye out for official updates confirming Nigeria and other African nations on the eligible list. Until then, get your passport ready.