The Gulf Cooperation Council’s unified visa system is entering its final approval phase, set to allow seamless travel across all six Gulf states with a single permit. While the initiative will benefit the entire bloc, Saudi Arabia is expected to emerge as the primary winner thanks to its unique blend of religious significance and ambitious tourism projects under Vision 2030.
The Kingdom’s expanding infrastructure — including giga-projects like NEOM, Qiddiya, AlUla, and the Red Sea resorts — positions it to attract millions of new visitors. Experts highlight that Saudi airports such as Riyadh and Jeddah can serve as major transit hubs, offering cultural excursions to nearby destinations and facilitating multi-country itineraries that combine Saudi Arabia with other Gulf landmarks.
With the unified visa aligning perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s goal of welcoming 150 million visitors annually by 2030, the Kingdom is well-placed to leverage its religious tourism base and rapidly growing leisure sector to maximize economic and cultural gains from this landmark initiative.
