Visa-free travel options for GCC residents for last minute Eid holiday plans

Dubai News

Planning a quick trip for the Eid Al Fitr holiday but don’t want to wait for visa approvals? You can receive a visa on arrival to four popular tourist locations that are only a short flight away if you have a valid UAE residency visa.

According to a travel expert headquartered in Dubai, Azerbaijan and Georgia have grown increasingly popular as fast tourist destinations for UAE residents, and UAE-based airlines offer many packages to these countries.

“These packages [for Georgia and Azerbaijan] have become extremely popular among residents in the last two years… they include flight tickets and hotel stay,” he said.

1. Azerbaijan

For Azerbaijan, you have two options – first, apply for an eVisa online before you travel, or second, get a visa on arrival stamped on your passport when you land there.

While both these visa options cost approximately Dh140, Bashir said that the advantage of applying for an eVisa was lesser time spent at the airport, once you land.

If you are choosing a visa on arrival, you would need to scan your passport at the smart machines that have been installed at the airport, and enter your trip details, to get the visa on arrival. If you have an eVisa, you can directly go to the immigration counter.

Visa requirements

– Your passport should be valid for at least six months

– Your UAE residence visa should be valid for at least three months.

Visa validity

You can stay in the country for up to 30 days on an eVisa or visa on arrival.

In the last two years, these packages [for Georgia and Azerbaijan] have become highly popular among residents … they include flight tickets and hotel stay.

2. Georgia

Georgia only offers a visa on arrival, which is valid for 30 days, according to Bashir, but you need to ensure you meet the following requirements:

– Your passport should be valid for at least six months

– Your UAE residence visa should be valid for at least three months.

He added that UAE residents may have to provide their accommodation, travel and health insurance details and may be asked to prove that they have sufficient funds for the duration of their stay. If you book a flight with a UAE-based airline, the travel insurance cost is covered and included in the overall cost.

Visa validity

A visa on arrival allows you to stay in the country for up to 30 days.

Proof of funds

“Having a hotel booking for the duration of stay is usually enough, but there may be cases when immigration authorities require you to prove that you have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay,” Bashir said.

If so, you may need to provide the required proof, which may be a recent bank statement, or even the possession of a credit or debit card, according to Bashir.

3. Maldives

A nation of 1,192 islands in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives attracts visitors with its unique geography and marine life. It has about five per cent of the Earth’s reefs that house a thousand species of fish. The azure waters and pure white beaches are also magnets for tourists.

According to the Maldives Immigration Authority’s website – immigration.gov.mv, a tourist visa is granted for all nationalities on arrival to Maldives. “As such, a foreigner travelling to Maldives as a tourist does not require pre-approval for the visa,” the website adds.

However, you must fulfil the following basic entry requirements, as per Maldives Immigration:

• A machine-readable passport or travel document with at least one-month validity.
• A complete travel itinerary – including return tickets, confirmed hotel booking details, and proof that you have sufficient funds. You may be required to provide these details by immigration officers in the Maldives.
• You must submit a ‘Traveller Declaration’ form within 96 hours of the flight time, during arrival and departure to and from the Maldives. You can fill out the form through the Maldives Immigration online portal – https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/
• Entry requirements to your onward destinations. For example, if you are planning to return to the UAE after your trip, you can provide your passport and UAE residence visa copy. Both the passport and residence visa should be valid for at least six months.

Visa validity

A visa on arrival allows you to stay in the country for up to 30 days.

4. Seychelles

An archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles boasts of numerous beaches, coral reefs and nature reserves, as well as rare animals such as giant Aldabra tortoises.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs of Seychelles, all nationalities can travel to the country visa-free.

“Although a visa is not required to enter Seychelles, visitors should nevertheless have in their possession a valid passport or other travel documents recognised by the government of Seychelles to gain entry,” the official website of Department of Foreign Affairs of Seychelles states.

An entry permit is issued on arrival to travellers, who meet the following criteria:

• The passport is valid for the period of the intended stay until you return to your country of origin or residence.
• A valid return ticket or ticket for onward travel for the duration of the visit.
• Confirmed accommodation.
• Sufficient funds for the duration of the stay, which is a minimum of US$150 (Dh550) or equivalent in foreign currency per day.

Visa validity

A visa on arrival allows you to stay in the country for up to 30 days.