Increasing Number of UAE Residents Prefer Traveling to Countries Providing Electronic Visas or Visas Upon Arrival
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), travel is on the rise, with an increasing number of residents choosing destinations that offer e-visa and visa-on-arrival solutions. According to VFS Global, a leading authority in visa services, there has been a significant increase in demand for countries that provide these services.
For UAE residents in 2023, some of the most popular visa-on-arrival and e-visa destinations include the Maldives, Georgia, Montenegro, and Armenia. The Maldives, renowned for its stunning beaches and resorts, offers a 30-day visa on arrival and is just a 4.5-hour flight from the UAE. Georgia, a country known for its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity, allows UAE residents to visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Montenegro, another visa-free destination, offers stunning mountains, beaches, and medieval towns, making it an appealing choice for both adventure and relaxation. As of July 1, 2025, Armenia will allow visa-free entry for UAE residents for up to 90 days, simplifying travel to this culturally rich West Asian country.
A major development for 2023 and beyond is the upcoming GCC Grand Tours Visa. This unified multi-entry visa will allow UAE residents to travel seamlessly across all six GCC countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain) with a single application, simplifying regional travel without separate visa processes for each country. This visa is expected to launch later in 2025, revolutionizing how UAE residents explore the Gulf region.
VFS Global, which serves 40 governments through a network of 72 visa application centers in the UAE, advises all travelers to apply for their visas well in advance to avoid delays. Individuals are advised to check the government and VFS websites for the most recent visa processing timelines and requirements to ensure they have all the essential documentation for a seamless visa application process.
Outbound traveling and tourism from the UAE post-Covid-19 have grown greatly, reaching closer to the pre-pandemic level. Several preferred vacation destinations are conveniently accessible to UAE residents, such as Canada, the UK, and Europe. Travel agents state that individuals prefer going to nations that supply e-visa or visa on arrival because it is faster and easier for UAE residents.
As of November 2022, VFS recorded a 25 percent boost in application numbers compared to 2019. With the convenience of e-visa and visa on arrival services and the resuming of borders, normal flights, and the pent-up demand for travel, it's no surprise that UAE residents are taking advantage of these opportunities to explore the world.
| Destination | Visa Type | Duration | Notes | |---------------------|-------------------------|------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | Maldives | Visa on Arrival | 30 days | Popular honeymoon and beach destination; 4.5 hrs from UAE | | Georgia | Visa-free | Up to 90 days | Rich nature and history, no visa needed | | Montenegro | Visa-free | Not specified | Scenic Balkan country with mountains and beaches | | Armenia | Visa-free (from July 1, 2025) | Up to 90 days | Visa-on-arrival replaced with visa-free entry | | GCC Countries (UAE, Saudi, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain) | Unified GCC Grand Tours Visa (launch expected 2025) | Multiple entries, at least 30 days | Simplifies travel across Gulf with one visa application |
These options provide UAE residents with diverse travel experiences from beach paradises to culturally rich and historic regions with simplified visa processes.
In the ever-evolving travel landscape, UAE residents are increasingly drawn to destinations that offer visa-on-arrival and e-visa solutions, such as the Maldives, Georgia, Montenegro, and Armenia, to name a few. As their lifestyle adapts to these easier travel options, UAE residents have also shown interest in exploring the Gulf region with the upcoming GCC Grand Tours Visa, which simplifies travel across all six GCC countries.
