Are you a resident of the United Arab Emirates and planning to travel abroad? Good news: many countries now welcome UAE residents without the need for a visa. Whether you’re holding a UAE passport or just a valid UAE residence visa your travel opportunities have expanded. In this guide you can explore all the visa free countries for UAE residents.
Why do UAE residents have great travel access?
The country has built a strong global relationship over the past few years. As a result both UAE passport holders and expatriates with valid UAE residence visas benefit from easier travel options. The passport is now ranked among the most powerful passports in the world and many countries also trust the security and financial stability of the residents. Frequent international travel by UAE residents has created a reputation for safe and respectful tourism. Global trust today opens doors for a lot of business trips, vacations and family getaways with minimum visa headaches.
Categories of travel access for UAE residents
When talking about travel without a visa it usually falls under some common categories. Visa free countries are where you don’t need a visa at all just walk in with your valid passport.
Visa on arrival is where you don’t need to apply in advance. You get a visa at the airport or border on arrival.
E visa categories apply online before your trip and you will receive an electronic visa via mail. All the three options are very easy as compared to our typical embassy visa. And for UAE residents like you many countries offer at least one of these options.
Visa free countries for UAE passport holders
Europe
- Albania
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Montenegro
- Serbia
- Kosovo
- Georgia
- Moldova
- Ukraine
Asia
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Thailand (up to 30 days)
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Japan (up to 30 days)
Africa
- Seychelles
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Tunisia
Americas
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Panama
🇦🇺 Oceania
- New Zealand (eVisa required but free)
- Fiji
- Micronesia
In total more than 170 countries allow visa free or visa on arrival access to UAE passport holders that makes travel really easy and spontaneous for you as an emirati.
Top visa free or visa on arrival countries for UAE residents
If you are an expat being in the UAE with a valid residence visa many countries offer relaxed visa rules.
- Georgia is visa free for UAE residence visa holders valid for at least six months and you need to stay for 90 days in 180 days time. There is no need for a separate visa if you hold an Indian Pakistani or African passport.
- Azerbaijan provides e-visa to UAE residents. You can apply online and the processing time is around 3 days. You can just stay for 30 days.
- Armenia provides Verizon arrival for many nationalities with UAE residence visa. This day is 120 days.
- Maldives provides a visa on arrival for 30 days. There is no charge at all. You need hotel booking, return flight and sufficient funds.
- Sri Lanka provides an E visa for Indian passport holders with UAE residency you can get visa on arrival at the airport.
- For all nationalities Seychelles provides visa free. You just need to show confirmed hotel booking return tickets and proof of funds.
- Morticians provide visa free for many nationalities including Indian and Pakistani citizens. You can stay up to 90 days. But you need to provide return flight accommodation sufficient money.
- Albania provides visa free for UAE residents with valid Schengen UK or US visas. The stay is for 90 days.
Countries offering E visa for UAE residents
If a country does not offer visa free access they might still offer a fast online visa application. The evisa is much easier and quicker as compared to a traditional visa.
- Turkey – eVisa for Indian, Pakistani, and other nationalities with valid UAE visa
- Kenya – Apply online at evisa.go.ke
- Tanzania – eVisa for most nationalities
- Uzbekistan – Simple online process, 30-day dubai visa
- Vietnam – eVisa for Indian and other passport holders
- Bahrain – eVisa or visa-on-arrival
- Oman – eVisa available for Indian nationals with UAE residence permit
. From Georgia to the Maldives dozens of countries now welcome you without the need for a long visa process and if not visa free many offer simple online E visas for quick visa or arrival. So if you’re ready for a holiday, a quick business trip or just a visit to your loved ones, check your passport, pack your bags and go. So whether you hold a UAE passport or are an expatriate with a valid UAE residence visa, your travel freedom in 2025 is better than ever.
