Gulf Immigration Update: All You Need to Know About the 2026 Visa Overhaul
Updated: 10 hours ago
DUBAI, September 22, 2026 — A wave of visa policy changes is sweeping across the Gulf, led by the imminent launch of the GCC Unified Tourist Visa and accompanied by significant reforms in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.
Here is everything travellers, expatriates and employers need to know.
Unified GCC Tourist Visa Nears Launch
The Gulf Cooperation Council's long-awaited Unified Gulf Tourist Visa is expected to launch by the end of 2026, according to GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
The visa will allow travellers to visit all six member states — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman — on a single permit, functioning similarly to Europe's Schengen visa.
Aspect | Details |
Status | Final technical and regulatory stages |
Political Approval | November 2023 |
Expected Launch | By end of 2026 |
Projected Impact | +20% regional travel |
Average Stay | 3.5 nights → nearly a week |
Fee, Eligibility, Stay Duration | Not yet announced |
Saudi Arabia: Package Visa Pilot and Expanded e-Visa
Package Visa Pilot for Seven Countries
Saudi Arabia has introduced a Package Visa pilot programme bundling flights, hotel accommodation and an electronic tourist visa into a single booking through approved providers.
Eligible countries: Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Mexico and Pakistan.
Requirement | Details |
Minimum Stay | 2 days |
Maximum Stay | 88 days |
Package Contents | Confirmed flight + 4-star or higher hotel |
Minimum Spend | SAR 4,000 per adult for first two days |
Processing Time | 48 hours |
Restriction | Travel to Makkah or Madinah not permitted |
Standard e-Visa Now Covers 66 Countries
Saudi Arabia's standard tourist e-Visa has expanded to 66 countries, offering a one-year, multiple-entry document with stays of up to 90 days per visit.
Bahrain: Fourth-Phase Visa Policy Expands to 114 Countries
Bahrain has launched the fourth phase of its visa policy, expanding eligibility to 114 countries, including GCC residents.
Visa Type | Stay Duration |
Single-Entry Visa | Up to 2 weeks |
One-Year Multiple-Entry e-Visa | Up to 90 days |
Three-Month Multiple-Entry Visa | 1 month per visit (up from 2 weeks) |
Five-Year Multiple-Entry Visa (US, UK, Canada, Ireland) | 90 days per visit (up from 30 days) |
Mandatory Insurance for Dependents
Effective September 1, 2026, Bahrain requires mandatory private medical insurance for dependents applying for new residence permits. A parliamentary proposal would further require foreign workers to earn at least BD 1,000 per month to sponsor family members.
Kuwait: Automatic Visa Extensions End
Effective September 1, 2026, Kuwait restored standard validity periods for visit visas and absence permits, ending automatic extensions introduced during the regional conflict.
Aspect | Details |
Change | Automatic extensions ended |
Retained Benefit | Expats who left Kuwait on or before August 31, 2026 retain the exceptional extension |
Official Reference | Sahel app for absence permit expiry dates |
Action Required | Visitors and residents must verify status immediately |
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Qatar: Grace Period for Expired Visas Ends
Qatar suspended automatic extensions for all expired or nearly expired entry visas effective June 7, 2026.
Aspect | Details |
Change | Automatic grace period ended |
Standard Rules | Validity periods, renewal procedures and fees resumed |
Overstay Penalties | Now accrue daily |
Who Is Affected | Anyone in Qatar on a visa issued before June 2026 |
UAE: Visa-on-Arrival Expanded to Six New Nationalities
The UAE broadened its visa-on-arrival programme to nationals of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Kenya and South Africa, effective June 25, 2026.
Eligibility: Applicants must hold a valid residence permit from the US, EU, UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
Visa Type | Stay | Fee | Extendable |
14-Day Visa | 14 days | AED 100 | Yes (once) |
60-Day Visa | 60 days | AED 250 | No |
Overstay Penalty | — | AED 50/day | — |
Read Also
Quick Reference Summary
Country | Key Change | Effective Date |
GCC | Unified tourist visa launching | By end of 2026 |
Saudi Arabia | Package Visa for 7 countries | Launched |
Saudi Arabia | Standard e-Visa covers 66 countries | Ongoing |
Bahrain | Fourth-phase visa policy (114 countries); mandatory dependent insurance | September 1, 2026 |
Kuwait | Automatic visa extensions ended | September 1, 2026 |
Qatar | Automatic grace period ended | June 7, 2026 |
UAE | Visa-on-arrival expanded to 6 nationalities | June 25, 2026 |
Official Resources
Resource | Link |
GCC General Secretariat | |
Saudi Tourism Authority | |
Bahrain NPRA | |
Kuwait Ministry of Interior | |
Qatar MOI | |
UAE ICP |
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