The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has launched a streamlined “one-stop” airport system that allows travelers to pass through a single checkpoint while traveling across six member countries.
“GCC Introduces ‘One-Stop’ Airport System Connecting Six Countries Through a Single Checkpoint”
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has greenlit a “one-stop” travel system, initially set to be tested between the UAE and Bahrain starting December 2025 for air passengers. When rolled out across all six member nations, traveling by air within the Gulf will be as effortless as moving between domestic cities.
A closer look at the plan reveals how it will operate and how it aligns with the upcoming Schengen-style GCC tourist visa, set to be introduced next year.
The system is a coordinated border, identity, and security clearance managed by the Gulf Interior Ministries, allowing qualified travelers to complete immigration, security, and other checks at a single point before departure. Upon arrival, Gulf citizens can simply collect their luggage and leave the airport without undergoing additional procedures.
According to the official GCC statement, the program currently covers nationals of the six member countries — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Authorities have not yet indicated whether resident expatriates might be included in future stages.
No, the two initiatives are separate but work in tandem.
The one-stop travel system is designed to streamline the processing of travelers—primarily Gulf nationals—by combining immigration and security checks across member states.
In contrast, the unified GCC tourist visa focuses on international visitors, offering a single-entry permit that enables them to move freely among all six Gulf countries.
Together, both initiatives aim to enhance regional travel and simplify movement within the GCC.
E-gates are expedited immigration lanes that operate within individual countries to help travelers pass through faster.
The one-stop system, however, is a collaborative clearance process across GCC nations, designed to eliminate repeated arrival checks on designated routes.
The initial stage of the program will be tested on flights between the UAE and Bahrain, acting as a pilot for the full-scale system.
Authorities informed the press that the trial is set to start in December 2025, as announced by GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Will passengers still need to wait in line upon arrival?
The aim is for travelers to land as if they were on a domestic flight, with all necessary checks completed before takeoff.
Specific operational details—such as dedicated lanes, gates, or airport signage—will be shared closer to the system’s launch.
Passengers will undergo coordinated immigration, security, and possibly customs procedures across the participating countries, removing the need for duplicate checks upon arrival.
The specific process and any digital ID elements have not been revealed yet.
Officials have yet to specify which airports will be involved, but the pilot program is anticipated to cover all international airports in the UAE and Bahrain.
After the UAE-Bahrain pilot is completed and assessed, the GCC Secretariat plans to extend the system to all six member countries. A schedule for the following phases has not yet been announced.
