GCC Visa Requirements Checker 2026 | Hub of Gulf

Updated May 2026

GCC Visa Requirements Checker

Instantly check visa requirements, processing times, fees and required documents for all 6 Gulf countries — by your nationality.

GCC Countries

40+

Nationalities

Visa Types

2026

Up to Date

🛏

Check Your Visa Requirements

Select your nationality, destination and visa type

🏴 Your Nationality

📍 Destination Country

📄 Visa Type

✓ Am I Eligible? — Quick Check

⚠️ Information is for guidance only and may change without notice. Always verify with the official embassy or government portal before applying. Hub of Gulf is not responsible for visa decisions.

🌍

GCC Country Visa & Expat Guides

Deep-dive guides for every Gulf country — visa rules, jobs, salary & cost of living 2026.

🇦🇪

UAE Expat Guide

Golden Visa, jobs, housing & cost of living in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

🇸🇦

Saudi Arabia Guide

Iqama, Vision 2030 jobs & expat life in Riyadh & Jeddah

🇶🇦

Qatar Expat Guide

QID, work permits, housing in Doha & expat essentials

🇰🇼

Kuwait Expat Guide

Civil ID, salary & housing allowances in Kuwait City

🇧🇭

Bahrain Expat Guide

LMRA permit, Flexi Visa & expat life in Manama

🇴🇲

Oman Expat Guide

Residence card, jobs & cost of living in Muscat

❓

Frequently Asked Questions

Most common GCC visa questions answered clearly — updated May 2026.

Can I convert a visit visa to a work visa inside the GCC? +

In most GCC countries you cannot convert a visit visa to a work visa while inside the country — you must exit and re-enter on a proper work visa. The UAE is a partial exception where, in some cases, status change is possible if your employer applies through MOHRE. Always confirm with your employer before traveling on a visit visa intending to work.

How long does it take to get a GCC work visa? +

Typically 4–8 weeks from the date your employer submits the application. This includes document attestation in your home country (2–4 weeks), work permit approval (1–2 weeks), and visa stamping. UAE and Bahrain can be faster (2–4 weeks total). Saudi Arabia and Kuwait generally take 6–8 weeks.

Who pays for the GCC work visa — me or my employer? +

Under GCC labour law, the employer pays all work visa costs — including work permit fees, entry visa, medical tests and residency ID fees. If any employer asks you to pay for your own work visa, this is illegal. Report such cases to MOHRE (UAE), MOL (Saudi/Qatar), LMRA (Bahrain) or MOI (Kuwait).

Can Pakistanis, Indians or Filipinos get GCC visa on arrival? +

Qatar — All three get free 30-day VoA at Hamad Airport. UAE — Filipinos get free 30-day VoA; Indians get free 14-day VoA; Pakistanis with valid UK/US/Schengen visa get VoA. Bahrain — All three can get eVisa online for BHD 5. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait & Oman — eVisa available online for all three.

What is the minimum salary to sponsor family in the GCC? +

UAE — AED 4,000/month (AED 3,000 if employer provides accommodation). Saudi Arabia — SAR 4,000–6,000/month typically. Qatar — QAR 7,000/month. Kuwait — KWD 450/month. Bahrain — BHD 250–400/month. Oman — OMR 300/month. Always verify current rules with the relevant immigration authority.

What happens if I overstay my GCC visa? +

Overstaying carries serious penalties. UAE — AED 50/day fine + AED 200 exit fee + possible ban. Saudi Arabia — SAR 10,000+ fine + deportation ban. Qatar — QAR 200/day + detention risk. Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman all impose similar fines and deportation. Always extend your visa before it expires.

Do I need a medical test for a GCC work or residence visa? +

Yes — a medical fitness test is mandatory for all GCC work and residence visas. It must be done at an approved centre inside the GCC country and typically includes blood tests (HIV, Hepatitis B & C, TB) and a chest X-ray. The cost (AED 200–300) is usually paid by the employer.

About This GCC Visa Checker

What this tool covers and how to use it effectively.

📋 What This Tool Covers

Visit, tourist and transit visa requirements for all 6 GCC countries
Work visa and employment permit process for employer-sponsored workers
Family and dependent visa requirements for GCC residents
Visa fees, processing times and stay duration per combination
Full required documents checklist for each visa type
Step-by-step application guide with official government links
Eligibility quick-check for 9 major nationalities

🌍 Countries and Nationalities

UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) — ICA and MOHRE portal
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah) — MOL and Absher
Qatar (Doha) — MOI and MADLSA portal
Kuwait (Kuwait City) — MOI and Civil ID
Bahrain (Manama) — LMRA and CPR
Oman (Muscat, Salalah) — ROP and Residence Card
Covers Pakistani, Indian, Filipino, Bangladeshi, Nepali, Egyptian, Sri Lankan, British and American

⚠️ Disclaimer: Visa rules change frequently. All information is for general guidance only and may not reflect the most recent government policy. Always verify with the official UAE ICA, Saudi Visa Portal or the relevant embassy before applying. Hub of Gulf is not responsible for visa decisions.

© 2026 HubofGulf.com — All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer