Planning a foreign trip is a hitch with all the time taking security formalities and visa procedures sucking your energy and enthusiasm. But the residents of UAE can now breathe a sigh of relief. With the value of the UAE passport increasing each day, there are more than a dozen countries offering the UAE residents a visa-free trip or a visa-on-arrival facility, making their stay hassle-free here. According to sources, there are approximately 146 visa-free countries and 46 visa-on-arrival countries for the residents of the United Arab Emirates.
What does A Visa-Free Country For UAE residents Mean?
Visa Free countries are countries where UAE residents are permitted to enter and holiday without a visa. They just need their valid passports to enter the 146 countries without getting themselves involved in the daunting documentation work and formalities. For visiting approximately 46 countries, the UAE residents have the facility of ‘visa on arrival’, saving their time to complete the visa formalities days before their journey commences and are exempted from getting prior permission. These benefits are available only for those holding passports issued by the UAE government who are citizens of the UAE i.e Emiratis and not foreign residents staying on residential visas in the UAE. For foreign residents staying in the UAE on a work visa or a UAE residence visa holder, the visa-free status and visa-on-arrival benefits vary depending on the nationality of the individuals.
What do you need to do to avail this visa-free stay in a foreign country?
To explore a country visa-free for UAE residents, the only thing you need is a valid passport from the United Arab Emirates to have a hush-hush free stay in the listed 146 visa-free countries. The only formality needed is to get the ‘enter’ and ‘exit’ stamps on your passports while coming and leaving respectively. Also, to have an uninterrupted stay, do not forget to carry sufficient funds during your vacation to pamper your loved ones with gifts and enjoy all the luxuries.
What does Visa on arrival mean?
Visa on arrival means a traveler has to obtain Visa from the airport after arriving at the destination. In countries with Visa on arrival, you are not allowed to leave the airport and enter the country without completing the visa formalities after landing.
Major tourist attractions where UAE residents can avail a visa-free stay?
There are approximately 146 countries where UAE residents can avail a visa-free stay. Being in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) group, the Emiratis can move from One GCC country to another without needing a visa. These countries do not need a Dubai tourist visa as well to enjoy a holiday in the UAE. The GCC countries consist of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE. Other popular destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, China also allow visa-free travel for a specific time frame. Let us take a look at the other major tourist destinations included in this list.
Visa Free countries for UAE Residents in the American Continent
Argentina
Located in South America, Argentina covers most of this continent and is on the top list of tourists to go on a vacation with their loved ones. This country is gifted with natural beauty of mountains and glacial lakes. This makes it a perfect destination for a quiet family vacation.
Brazil
Another beautiful country in South America, Brazil is also one of the countries permitting the UAE residents visa-free entry. The wide range of flora and fauna with beautiful mountains can be a visual delight for the tourists here.
Chile
Located on the western seaboard of South America, this country is dominated by a mountainous landscape.
Mexico
Known for its spicy cuisine, the sunny beaches, sun and Tambora music await the tourists with open hands.
Some other countries of South America that offer visa-free travel for UAE residents include:
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- French Guiana
- Guatemala
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
Visa-Free Countries for UAE Residents in Europe
In Europe, you can find many countries without visa for UAE residents for your holiday plans. However, let us take a look at the major holiday destinations of Europe offering a visa-free visit.
Belgium
Known for its chocolates, waffles and beer, Belgium is one of the major holiday destinations of Europe. Historic monuments and amazing food are the two major attractions here.
Austria
Designed by classic palaces, castles and architectural beauty, Austria remains on the bucket list of travelers to enjoy a soothing, calm family holiday.
Switzerland
One of the top tourism destinations in the world, Switzerland is famous for its mountains, clocks, chocolates and cheese. The picturesque Alps of this country are a must-visit destination for holiday lovers.
The other countries offering a visa-free stay for UAE Residents are:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Faroe Islands
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Iceland
- Italy
- Malta
- Monaco
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Czech Republic
- Vatican City
- Romania
- Russia
- Spain
- Sweden
UAE Residents can avail visa-free entries in these countries as well:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bonaire; St. Eustatius and Saba
- Cook Islands
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Curacao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Fiji
- French
- French Polynesia
- Grenada
- Haiti
- Micronesia
- Nauru
- New Caledonia
- Niue
- Solomon Islands
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- St. Lucia
- St. Maarten
- Tonga
- Vanuatu
- West Indies
With so many countries offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival for UAE residents, planning a holiday to places to visit from Dubai without a visa becomes a simple and exciting affair. Do check out the formalities to get a visa on arrival in case you are travelling to one such country.