The UAE and Bahrain launch the “one-point system” for travel

The first pilot phase will take place between the UAE and Bahrain.

The trial is scheduled to begin in December 2025 via air travel.

Once the system is fully implemented across the six member states, air travel across the Gulf will become as simple as travel between cities in the same country.  

Here’s a detailed look at how this system works, and how it complements the Schengen-style unified Gulf tourist visa, scheduled to be launched next year. 

What exactly is a “one point” travel system? 

It is a joint security clearance and border/identity audit process, managed by the Gulf Ministries of Interior, and allows eligible passengers to complete immigration, security and related audits at a single checkpoint before boarding. 

Gulf citizens can then land at their destination, collect their luggage, and leave the airport without any additional formalities. 

Does the system include citizens and residents? 

According to the official announcement of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the initiative applies to citizens of the six Gulf countries (the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar). Officials have not clarified whether eligibility will expand to include incoming residents at later stages. 

Is this the same as the unified Gulf tourist visa? 

No, they are two distinct but complementary initiatives: 

• The “one-point” travel system focuses on how to complete traveler procedures – especially Gulf citizens traveling within the region – by integrating immigration and security audits between member states. 

• The unified Gulf tourist visa, on the other hand, relates to how tourists travel within the Gulf: it is a single entry permit that will allow international visitors to travel freely across all six GCC countries. 

Both projects share one strategic goal: to promote and facilitate travel within the Gulf countries. 

What is the difference between it and electronic or smart portals? 

Electronic portals are country-specific fast tracks to speed up immigration procedures within a single country. 

The “One Point” model is a common clearance framework among GCC countries, aiming to completely eliminate double access checks on participating routes. 

Will eligible travelers need to stand in line upon arrival? 

The goal is for passengers to arrive as if they were on a domestic flight, completing all checks before departure. Operational details such as designated corridors, or signage at airports, will be announced as the launch date approaches. 

When and where will it be launched first? 

The first phase will include air travel between the UAE and Bahrain, and will serve as an experiment for the broader system. The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Mohammed Al-Badawi, confirmed that the experiment will begin in December 2025. 

What actions will move to one point? 

Travelers can expect procedures to include: immigration and security audits, and possibly customs procedures agreed between participating countries, eliminating frequent inspections upon arrival. Exact workflow details and components of the digital identity have not yet been revealed. 

When will the rest of the GCC countries join the system? 

Once the UAE-Bahrain phase is successfully completed and evaluated, the GCC Secretariat says the model will be expanded to include all six member states. No timetable has been set for subsequent phases.