Increasing Preference Among UAE Residents for Traveling to Countries Offering Electronic Visas or Visa upon Arrival
In 2023, UAE residents are set to enjoy a wealth of travel opportunities as several nations offer e-visas and visa-on-arrival services. This network includes popular destinations such as Canada, the UK, and Europe, which are now conveniently accessible to UAE homeowners, thanks to the resumption of boundaries and normal flights.
The list below showcases a selection of countries offering visa-on-arrival or e-visa services to UAE residents, based on the latest information available:
### Countries Offering Visa on Arrival or E-Visa for UAE Residents in 2023
| Country | Visa Type | Duration of Stay | Notes | |----------------|------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Morocco | Visa on Arrival | Typically up to 90 days | Popular for culture and nature | | Georgia | Visa-Free Entry | 90 days within 180 days | UAE visa/residence permit must be valid on entry | | Armenia | Visa on Arrival | Up to 120 days | Valid for UAE residents | | Azerbaijan | Visa on Arrival | Up to 30 days | Residence permit must be valid for at least 6 months | | Indonesia | Visa on Arrival | 30 days | Includes Bali | | Mauritius | Visa-Free Entry | Up to 3 months | Entry stamp on arrival, no visa fee | | Sri Lanka | e-Visa/ETA | Typically 30 days | Must apply online before arrival | | Kyrgyzstan | Simplified Visa | Short-term entry-exit visa | Available for certain nationalities with UAE residence| | Uzbekistan | Visa-Free | 30 days | Requires UAE residence valid for at least 90 days | | Saudi Arabia | eVisa | Up to 1 year (multi-entry) | New Saudi eVisa available for UAE residents |
Additional notes: - A unified GCC visa is expected to launch soon in 2023, allowing multi-entry travel across the six GCC countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman) with a single visa, simplifying regional travel for UAE residents. - Visa requirements often require that the UAE residence permit or visa be valid at the time of entry. - Travel durations and exact visa conditions can vary, so it is advised to check with official sources prior to travel.
The ease of travel for UAE residents is not limited to these countries, as VFS Global, an industry leader in travel, serves 40 governments through a network of 72 visa application centers in the UAE. VFS offers visa application centers for 67 nations across 144 locations worldwide.
Pranav Sinha, head of VFS Global's Centre East, advises all travelers to apply for visas well in advance to avoid delays. Travel agents have stated that individuals prefer going to nations that supply e-visa or visa-on-arrival because it is faster and easier for UAE residents, as they do not have to spend hours in line or days waiting for a visa response.
Outbound travel and tourism from the UAE have seen a significant increase post-Covid-19, reaching closer to pre-pandemic levels. With the growing demand for countries that supply e-visa and visa-on-arrival solutions, such as Thailand, Suriname, and Indonesia, UAE residents are eager to explore the world once more.
UAE residents can additionally travel to Thailand, Suriname, and Indonesia, as these countries offer e-visa or visa-on-arrival services, similar to the ones provided by Morocco, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Saudi Arabia. The convenience of e-visas and visa-on-arrival services for UAE residents has led to a preference for such nations over others, as they eliminate long waiting lines and speed up the visa application process.
