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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has approved a landmark One-Stop Travel System to facilitate seamless movement across member states. The initiative marks a significant step toward deeper regional integration and enhanced mobility in the Gulf region.

About the Gulf Cooperation Council

• Established: 1981
• Members: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Nature: Regional political and economic alliance

Objectives

• Promote economic, security, social, and cultural cooperation
• Strengthen collective defence and regional stability
• Enhance economic integration among Gulf states

Background

The GCC was formed amid heightened geopolitical tensions, especially:

• Iranian Revolution (1979)
• Iran–Iraq War (1980–88)

Organizational Structure

1. Supreme Council

• Highest decision-making body
• Composed of heads of member states
• Presidency rotates alphabetically
• Meets annually in regular sessions

2. Ministerial Council

• Includes foreign ministers or designated representatives
• Implements decisions of the Supreme Council
• Proposes and coordinates policies

3. Secretariat General

• Conducts studies and planning for cooperation and integration
• Manages implementation of joint Gulf initiatives

GCC One-Stop Travel System – Key Features

The GCC has approved a unified travel processing system to reduce redundancies and speed up travel across the region.

Purpose

• Eliminate multiple checks during travel
• Strengthen inter-state cooperation
• Improve movement for citizens and residents

How it works

• All travel procedures—immigration, customs, and security checks—will be completed at a single departure checkpoint
• On arrival, passengers simply collect baggage and exit
• Supported by a shared electronic platform enabling data exchange between member states

Pilot Phase

• Launching December 2025
• Countries involved: UAE and Bahrain
• Initially limited to air travel

Future Expansion

• To be scaled up to all six GCC countries if successful
• Part of a wider regional connectivity strategy

Complementary Regional Initiatives

1. GCC Grand Tours Visa

• A Schengen-style unified tourist visa
• Pilot launch expected in Q4 2025
• Full rollout by 2026
• Aimed at promoting the Gulf as a single tourism destination

2. Gulf Railway Network

• Under development with a 2030 completion deadline
• Length: ≈ 2,177 km
• Will link all six GCC nations
• Designed to enable:
  • Seamless passenger travel
  • Fully integrated freight transport