UAE passport is now being regarded as one of the world most powerful. Being a UAE resident and an Emirati passport owner, you have the privilege of enjoying the visa-free or visa-on-arrival service with a wide range of countries and, hence, have colossal flexibility in traveling.
I will outline the visa-free destinations, eVisa conditions, and other travel-related information in this blog so that your planning will be smooth.
Visa-Free Countries for Emirati Passport Holders
Benefits of Visa-Free Travel
- Convenience: Visa is not necessary in order to use this service.
- Cost-Effective: Save money on visa fees
Here is the detailed list of countries you can travel to without a visa and the duration of stay permitted:
Countries Allowing 90-Day Visa-Free Stay
- Albania
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Chad
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Uruguay
Countries Allowing 30-Day Visa-Free Stay
- Angola
- Brunei
- China
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Mozambique
- Niue
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- Uzbekistan
Countries Allowing Other Visa-Free Stays
- Dominica (21 days)
- Fiji (4 months)
- Georgia (360 days)
- Micronesia (30 days)
- Nauru (30 days)
- Saint Lucia (60 days)
- São Tomé and Príncipe (15 days)
Freedom of Movement Countries
The following countries allow Emirati passport holders freedom of movement. You only need your ID card to enter:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
Read Also: Easy Bahrain Visa Application: UAE Residents
eVisa Requirements for UAE Residents
There are several nations that UAE citizens must obtain an eVisa to visit upon arrival. The procedure, however, is quite ordinary, what is needed is to have all documents ready before they are submitted to the system. Below are the countries requiring eVisas:
eVisa Countries
- Angola
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Canada
- Cameroon
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- India
- Ivory Coast
- Djibouti
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Guinea
- Iran
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Montserrat
- Nigeria
- South Sudan
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Togo
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- Vietnam
- New Zealand
Steps to Apply for an eVisa
- Visit the official eVisa portal of the country.
- Fill out the online application
- A scanned copy of the passport and photograph are required which needs to be uploaded.
- Pay the visa fee online.
- Receive the visa via email.
Visa-On-Arrival Destinations
Visa-on-arrival offers flexibility as you obtain your visa at the airport upon arrival. Here’s a list of countries providing this option:
- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cabo Verde
- Comoros
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Laos
- Macau
- Madagascar
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mongolia
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Palau
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- Timor-Leste
- Tuvalu
- Yemen
- Zimbabwe
Tips for Visa-On-Arrival
- Documents: Take your travel documents, passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation.
- Fees: Have cash in the required currency for visa fees.
- Time: Travelers should expect to spend some time at immigration upon arrival.
Countries Requiring a Visa from the Embassy
All the destinations allow visitors to access the country either visa-free or visa on arrival except few countries that require an Emirati passport holder to acquire a visa from the national embassy. These include:
- Australia
- China
- United States of America
How to Apply for an Embassy Visa
- Make an appointment in the embassy or consulate.
- Get needed documents ready: application form, passport, photos and trip itinerary.
- Appear during interview with visa, provided it is necessary.
- At this stage, wait until the processing period is done, in different countries this duration may differ.
How to check which visa rules apply to you before you book
The most common mistake I see with lists like the one above is mixing up residency and nationality. Living in the UAE does not decide whether you need a visa for another country. Border rules are set by the destination country and are based mainly on the passport you travel with. Your UAE residence permit can still matter, because some countries accept it as a supporting document or offer special entry options to residents, but it does not replace a visa the destination requires for your passport.
What the UAE government recommends
The UAE government portal advises citizens and residents planning a trip abroad to contact the embassy or consulate of the destination country in the UAE and ask about visa regulations and application procedures. It also notes that many countries use VFS Global to handle visa application intake. See the UAE government visa requirements page for the wording.
Use a live database, not an old list
Visa rules change often, and a static blog list can be out of date within months. Airlines check passenger documents with IATA’s Timatic database, which IATA describes as drawing on information from over 1,000 official sources. Travellers can run the same kind of check through the IATA Travel Centre by entering their personal details and itinerary to get passport, visa and health requirements. The Henley Passport Index ranks passports by the number of destinations reachable without a prior visa and says it is updated monthly. It is a good way to compare passports, but it is not a substitute for checking your own itinerary.
A pre-booking checklist
- Confirm the rule for your exact passport, not for UAE residents in general.
- Check the passport validity the destination requires. Some countries ask for six months, and the requirement is stated by the destination, not the airline.
- Check transit rules separately. A layover in a third country can need its own visa or transit permission.
- Look at what “visa-free” actually means: permitted length of stay, purpose of visit and whether a pre-arrival online registration is required.
- Keep proof of onward travel, accommodation and funds handy. Officers can ask for them even where no visa is needed.
- Confirm the date of the information you are reading. If a page does not show a date, treat it with caution.
If two sources disagree, as can happen with a country that recently introduced an online authorisation, trust the destination’s embassy or immigration authority over any summary. When in doubt, ask the embassy before paying for non-refundable tickets.
Related guides
- UAE Visa Types: Find the Right Visa for Your Needs
- UAE Visa Status Change Without Exit (ICP Guide)
- Your World Awaits: 15+ Visa-on-Arrival Countries for UAE
- Dubai Business Visa: Quick & Easy Guide for Your Next Trip
- Dubai Azad Visa: Apply Now!
FAQs on Visa-Free Travel for UAE Residents
What are the countries to which the UAE residents travel visa-free?
Citizens of the United Arab Emirates can enter some countries visa-free or visa-on-arrival, including some European and Asian territories and the most popular touristic destinations.
What countries do not require a visa to Pakistan?
The Pakistani passport holder is visa free or visa on arrival to Maldives, Qatar and some African countries.
Is Pakistan open to UAE work visa?
Yes, the UAE still issues work visas to Pakistanis, however, they have to be eligible according to existing laws.
What is an Azad visa in the UAE?
The Azad visa is a free visa that allows the expatriate to live and work in the UAE without being attached to a single employer.
Read Also: Easy Kazakhstan Visa Application: UAE Residents
Final Words
Emirati nationals which live in the UAE will afford to travel to numerous nations either without a visa or at the point of entry. They include the neighboring countries of the Gulf and the tropical island countries over water. You are out to have fun, business, or culture shaker, knowing what you have as a right is making the traveling world a less complex one.
To avoid such surprises, always make sure that you look at the most recent travel advisories and visa requirements to your destination. Through adequate planning, it will be a smooth, enjoyable and memorable experience.
