UAE residents · Reference list
Visa-Free Countries for UAE Residents
In brief
UAE residence on its own opens only a few doors. On 30 October 2026, Georgia, Uzbekistan and Armenia let UAE residents of many nationalities in visa-free, and Gulf states offer eVisas or visas on arrival. Everywhere else, your passport decides. This list of UAE residents' visa-free countries covers 33 destinations, each checked on an official source.
Checked 30–31 Oct 2026Source: the official government page linked in every rowReport a change
Changed in the last 30 days
No change recorded since our first check on .
Ending soon: Malaysia's visa waiver for Indian nationals and North Macedonia's acceptance of multiple-entry UK, US and Canadian visas both end on .
Re-checked on : Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia, Japan, Malaysia, the Maldives, Montenegro, Thailand and Türkiye.
Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.
ContentsQuick answer
- Quick answer
- UAE residency visa-free countries
- Visa-free, visa on arrival, eVisa and conditional…
- Full list: countries by access type
- Visa on arrival
- Indian passport
- Pakistani passport
- Philippine passport
- Other passports
- Visa-free with UAE residence plus a US, UK or…
- UAE passport
- Documents to carry when you travel from the UAE
- UAE residents visa-free countries 2026
- How we check this list
- FAQ: visa-free travel for UAE residents
- Sources
- About this page
Quick answer
- Residence alone is enough in a few places: Georgia (90 days in any 180), Uzbekistan (30 days) and, until 1 July 2027, Armenia. Azerbaijan gives UAE residents a visa on arrival at its airports.
- Gulf states have their own routes for GCC residents: an eVisa in Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, and a visa on arrival in Qatar. Kuwait, Oman and Qatar limit them to listed professions.
- Some countries welcome every nationality: the Maldives (visa on arrival) and Seychelles (visa-free with an online travel authorisation).
- Many "visa-free for UAE residents" claims are wrong. Türkiye, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Mexico do not accept a UAE residence visa. They accept a valid US, UK or Schengen visa instead.
We checked 32 destinations on 30–31 October 2026 and publish only what an official source confirms. Where a detail could not be confirmed, such as which passports qualify for Bahrain's and Kuwait's GCC-resident eVisas, we left it out. We would rather show fewer rows than unchecked ones.
UAE residency visa-free countries: where residence alone is enough
These destinations give UAE residents something extra because of their residence, whatever their nationality, or for long lists of nationalities.
| Country | What UAE residents get | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
 Georgia | Visa-free, 90 days in any 180 | UAE residence visa valid when you cross the border. Pakistani nationals: multiple-entry and valid at least 1 year |
 Uzbekistan | Visa-free, 30 days | Original UAE residence visa, valid at least 90 days on entry. Since 2022 the UAE has issued the Emirates ID instead of a residence sticker (ICP) |
 Armenia | Visa-free, up to 180 days a year | Temporary rule until 1 July 2027 for 111 nationalities; residence valid 6+ months |
 Azerbaijan | Visa on arrival at international airports, up to 30 days | UAE residence visa valid more than 6 months |
 Albania | Visa-free | Only with a 10-year UAE residence permit with 1+ year left |
 Kyrgyzstan | Simplified e-visa, up to 30 days | For nationals without a visa-free regime, such as India and Pakistan |
| Bahrain | eVisa for GCC residents, 3 months, multiple entry | Residence valid 3+ more months; BHD 29 |
 Kuwait | eVisa for GCC residents, up to 3 months | Eligible professions only; KWD 3 |
 Oman | eVisa for GCC residents (29A), 28 days | Approved professions only; OMR 5 |
 Qatar | Visa on arrival for GCC residents, 30 days | Approved professions only; QAR 100 |
Visa-free, visa on arrival, eVisa and conditional entry: what the terms mean
| Term | What it means | What you do before you fly |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free | You can enter without a visa for a set number of days. The border officer still decides. | Check passport validity, return ticket and any online registration. |
| Visa on arrival | The visa is issued at the airport or land border. It may cost a fee. | Carry the documents the destination lists and the fee, if any. |
| eVisa | You apply and pay online and get an approval before you travel. | Apply on the government portal and print or save the approval. |
| Travel authorisation (ETA, eTA) | A short online approval for visitors who otherwise need no visa or get one on arrival. | Apply online before you fly. It is not optional. |
| Conditional | Entry or an eVisa depends on a visa or residence permit from another country, often the US, UK or Schengen area. | Make sure that visa is valid, and sometimes already used, on the day you travel. |
| Visa required | You need a visa from an embassy, consulate or visa centre. | Apply through the official channel well ahead. |
Full list: countries by access type
The table shows what a UAE resident gets in each destination. Where the UAE residence visa makes no difference, the row says "No residence rule" and summarises the result for Indian, Pakistani and Filipino passports.
Showing 33 of 33 countries · UAE residents, any passport
| Checked | Official source | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania#Visa-free only with a 10-year UAE residence permit | Conditional90 days in any 180 | Conditional90 days in any 180 | Conditional90 days in any 180 | Conditional90 days in any 180 | Council of Ministers of Albania (decision on the criteria for visas) | |
| Armenia#Visa-free with a UAE residence permit (temporary) | Visa-freeUp to 180 days in a year | Visa-freeUp to 180 days in a year | Visa-freeUp to 180 days in a year | Visa-freeUp to 180 days in a year | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia | |
| Azerbaijan#Visa on arrival at international airports for UAE residents | On arrivalUp to 30 days | On arrivalUp to 30 days | On arrivalUp to 30 days | On arrivalUp to 30 days | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan | |
 Bahrain#eVisa for GCC residents | eVisa3-month multiple-entry visa | — not confirmed | — not confirmed | — not confirmed | Bahrain National Portal | |
 Belarus#No residence rule | No residence rule | ConditionalUp to 30 days | ConditionalUp to 30 days | Visa requiredAs granted | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus | |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina#Visa required for Indian, Pakistani and Filipino passports | Visa required | Visa requiredAs granted | Visa requiredAs granted | Visa requiredAs granted | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
 Cambodia#No residence rule | No residence rule | eVisa30 days, single entry | — not confirmed | Visa-free30 days | Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Berlin | |
 Egypt#Rules by nationality or another country's visa | Conditional | eVisaNot stated on the portal | Visa requiredAs granted | Visa requiredAs granted | Egyptian Tourism Authority | |
| Georgia#Visa-free with a valid UAE residence visa | Visa-free90 days in any 180 | Visa-free90 days in any 180 | Visa-free90 days in any 180 | Visa-free90 days in any 180 | Embassy of Georgia in the UAE | |
 Indonesia#No residence rule | No residence rule | On arrival30 days, extendable once by 30 | eVisa60 days | Visa-free30 days, not extendable | Indonesia e-Visa portal (Immigration) | |
 Japan#JAPAN eVISA for UAE residents through an accredited agency | eVisaUp to 90 days, single entry | eVisaUp to 90 days, single entry | eVisaUp to 90 days, single entry | eVisaUp to 90 days, single entry | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan | |
 Jordan#Gulf-residence visa on arrival for non-Arab African nationals only | Conditional | On arrivalAs stamped at the border | Visa requiredAs granted | Visa requiredAs granted | Jordan Pass (Ministry of Tourism) | |
 Kazakhstan#No residence rule | No residence rule | Visa-free14 days | Visa requiredAs granted | Visa-free30 days | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan | |
 Kenya#No residence rule | No residence rule | ETANot stated on the portal | ETANot stated on the portal | ETANot stated on the portal | Kenya eTA portal | |
| Kuwait#eVisa for GCC residents in eligible professions | eVisaUp to 3 months, single entry | — not confirmed | — not confirmed | — not confirmed | Kuwait Ministry of Interior eVisa portal | |
| Kyrgyzstan#Simplified e-visa with a UAE resident card | eVisaUp to 30 days | eVisaUp to 30 days | eVisaUp to 30 days | eVisaUp to 30 days | Kyrgyzstan e-Visa portal | |
 Malaysia#No residence rule | No residence rule | Visa-freeUp to 30 days | Visa requiredNot stated | Visa-freeUnder 1 month | Immigration Department of Malaysia | |
 Maldives#Visa on arrival for all nationalities | On arrivalNot stated on the current official page | On arrivalNot stated on the current official page | On arrivalNot stated on the current official page | On arrivalNot stated on the current official page | Maldives Immigration | |
 Mauritius#No residence rule | No residence rule | Visa-freeSet by the officer at entry | Visa requiredAs granted | On arrival60 days | Mauritius Passport and Immigration Office | |
 Mexico#UAE residence not accepted | No residence rule | ConditionalUp to 180 days, set at entry | ConditionalUp to 180 days, set at entry | ConditionalUp to 180 days, set at entry | National Migration Institute of Mexico | |
 Montenegro#UAE residence not accepted | No residence rule | ConditionalUp to 30 days | ConditionalUp to 30 days | ConditionalUp to 30 days | Government of Montenegro | |
 Nepal#No residence rule | No residence rule | Visa-freeNo fixed limit stated | On arrival30 days | On arrival15, 30 or 90 days | Department of Immigration, Nepal | |
 North Macedonia#UAE residence not accepted | No residence rule | Conditional15 days per entry, 90 in any 180 | Conditional15 days per entry, 90 in any 180 | Conditional15 days per entry, 90 in any 180 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia | |
| Oman#eVisa for GCC residents with an approved profession | eVisa28 days, single entry | eVisa28 days | eVisa28 days | eVisa28 days | Royal Oman Police eVisa portal | |
| Qatar#Visa on arrival for GCC residents with an approved profession | On arrival30 days, single entry, extendable | On arrivalUp to 30 days | On arrivalUp to 30 days | eVisa30 days, single entry | Qatar Ministry of Interior | |
 Russia#No residence rule | No residence rule | eVisaUp to 30 days per entry | Visa requiredAs granted | eVisaUp to 30 days per entry | Russia unified e-visa portal | |
 Saudi Arabia#eVisa for GCC residents | eVisaUp to 90 days per visit | eVisaUp to 90 days per visit | eVisaUp to 90 days per visit | eVisaUp to 90 days per visit | Visit Saudi (Saudi Tourism Authority) | |
 Serbia#UAE residence not accepted | No residence rule | Conditional90 days in 6 months | Conditional90 days in 6 months | Conditional90 days in 6 months | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia | |
 Seychelles#Visa-free for all nationalities | Visa-freeUp to 3 months | Visa-freeUp to 3 months | Visa-freeUp to 3 months | Visa-freeUp to 3 months | Seychelles Travel Authorisation | |
 Sri Lanka#No residence rule | No residence rule | ETA30 days, double entry | ETA30 days, double entry | ETA30 days, double entry | Sri Lanka ETA portal | |
 Thailand#No residence rule | No residence rule | Visa-free30 days | Visa required60 days per entry (tourist visa) | Visa-free30 days | Royal Thai Embassy, Abu Dhabi | |
 Türkiye#UAE residence not accepted | No residence rule | Conditional30 days, single entry | Conditional30 days, single entry | Conditional30 days, single entry | Türkiye e-Visa portal | |
| Uzbekistan#Visa-free for all UAE residents | Visa-free30 days | Visa-free30 days | Visa-free30 days | Visa-free30 days | Uzbekistan legislation database (Lex.uz) |
Visa on arrival countries for UAE residents
Seven destinations on this list give some UAE residents a visa on arrival. Three tie it to Gulf or UAE residence: Azerbaijan (at international airports for UAE residents, up to 30 days), Qatar (for GCC residents with an approved profession, 30 days, single entry, extendable) and Jordan (Gulf-residence visa on arrival for non-Arab African nationals only). The Maldives gives every nationality a visa on arrival.
Elsewhere your passport decides: Indian passports get a visa on arrival in Indonesia, Jordan and Qatar; Pakistani passports in Nepal and Qatar; Filipino passports in Mauritius and Nepal.
| Country | All residents | Indian | Pakistani | Filipino | Checked | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AzerbaijanVisa on arrival at international airports for UAE residents. Fee: e-Visa USD 20 (standard), for Indian and Pakistani passports; the airport visa fee is not stated on the official page. | On arrivalUp to 30 days | On arrivalUp to 30 days | On arrivalUp to 30 days | On arrivalUp to 30 days | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan | |
| MaldivesVisa on arrival for all nationalities. Stay: not stated on the current official page. | On arrivalNot stated on the current official page | On arrivalNot stated on the current official page | On arrivalNot stated on the current official page | On arrivalNot stated on the current official page | Maldives Immigration | |
| QatarVisa on arrival for GCC residents with an approved profession. Fee: QAR 100 (GCC-resident visa); free for the Indian and Pakistani on-arrival tourist visa. | On arrival30 days, single entry, extendable | On arrivalUp to 30 days | On arrivalUp to 30 days | eVisa30 days, single entry | Qatar Ministry of Interior | |
| IndonesiaNo residence rule. | No residence rule | On arrival30 days, extendable once by 30 | eVisa60 days | Visa-free30 days, not extendable | Indonesia e-Visa portal (Immigration) | |
| JordanGulf-residence visa on arrival for non-Arab African nationals only. Fee: JOD 40. | Conditional | On arrivalAs stamped at the border | Visa requiredAs granted | Visa requiredAs granted | Jordan Pass (Ministry of Tourism) | |
| NepalNo residence rule. Fee: USD 30 (15 days), USD 50 (30 days), USD 125 (90 days); free for Pakistani nationals once a year; Indians need no visa. | No residence rule | Visa-freeNo fixed limit stated | On arrival30 days | On arrival15, 30 or 90 days | Department of Immigration, Nepal | |
| MauritiusNo residence rule. Fee: Free. | No residence rule | Visa-freeSet by the officer at entry | Visa requiredAs granted | On arrival60 days | Mauritius Passport and Immigration Office |
Visa-free countries for UAE residents with an Indian passport
The table lists visa-free countries for Indian UAE residents, plus visas on arrival and eVisas, sorted from the easiest access.
| Country | Access | Max stay | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia | Visa-free (UAE residence) | Up to 180 days in a year | Until 1 July 2027; UAE residence valid 6+ months | mfa.am |
| Georgia | Visa-free (UAE residence) | 90 days in any 180 | UAE residence visa valid on the day of entry and of departure; passport valid 90+ days | uae.mfa.gov.ge |
| Kazakhstan | Visa-free | 14 days | Ordinary passport; longer stays need a visa | gov.kz |
| Malaysia | Visa-free (temporary waiver) | Up to 30 days | Tourism and social visits only; return ticket and hotel booking. The waiver runs until 31 December 2026 (Immigration Department of Malaysia) | hcikl.gov.in |
| Mauritius | Visa-free | Set by the officer at entry | Return ticket, funds, accommodation | passport.govmu.org |
| Nepal | No visa needed | No fixed limit stated | Indian citizens do not need a visa | immigration.gov.np |
| Seychelles | Visa-free (Travel Authorisation needed) | Up to 3 months | Same rules for all nationalities | ics.gov.sc |
| Thailand | Visa-free | 30 days | Since 15 September 2026 (was 60 days) | image.mfa.go.th |
| Uzbekistan | Visa-free (UAE residence) | 30 days | UAE residence visa valid 90+ days on entry | lex.uz |
| Azerbaijan | Airport visa with UAE residence, or eVisa (ASAN Visa) | Up to 30 days | Airport visa with a UAE residence visa valid 6+ months; or e-Visa in advance (3 working days; urgent within 3 hours) | mfa.gov.az |
| Indonesia | Visa on arrival (or e-VOA online) | 30 days, extendable once by 30 | IDR 500,000; passport valid 6+ months; onward ticket | evisa.imigrasi.go.id |
| Jordan | Visa on arrival | As stamped at the border | Single-entry visa at Queen Alia airport and other listed crossings; JOD 40 | moi.gov.jo |
| Maldives | Visa on arrival | Not stated on the current official page | Same rules for all nationalities | immigration.gov.mv |
| Qatar | Visa on arrival (free) | Up to 30 days | Hotel booked through Discover Qatar only; return ticket; health insurance | portal.moi.gov.qa |
| Kenya | eTA (online, before travel) | Not stated on the portal | Standard eTA USD 30; passport valid 6+ months | etakenya.go.ke |
| Sri Lanka | ETA (free) | 30 days, double entry | Free tourist ETA scheme in force since 25 May 2026 | eta.gov.lk |
| Cambodia | eVisa | 30 days, single entry | Tourist visa (T) via evisa.gov.kh; not every entry point accepts e-Visas | recberlin.mfaic.gov.kh |
| Egypt | eVisa | Not stated on the portal | Apply at least 7 days before departure on visa2egypt.gov.eg; passport valid 6+ months; USD 30 single, USD 65 multiple entry | visa2egypt.gov.eg |
| Japan | eVISA (UAE residence) | Up to 90 days, single entry | Single-entry tourist eVISA through an accredited agency in the UAE; ordinary passports | mofa.go.jp |
| Kyrgyzstan | eVisa (UAE residence) | Up to 30 days | Tourist e-visa on the simplified route for UAE residents | evisa.e-gov.kg |
| Oman | eVisa (29A, approved professions) | 28 days | Also 14-day exemption with an approved profession or a US, UK, Schengen, Canada, Australia or Japan visa | evisa.rop.gov.om |
| Russia | Unified e-visa | Up to 30 days per entry | Apply on evisa.kdmid.ru; valid 120 days; listed border points only | kdmid.ru |
| Saudi Arabia | eVisa (GCC residence) | Up to 90 days per visit | Not eligible by nationality; use the residence route (or a package eVisa) | ksavisa.sa |
| Albania | Conditional | 90 days in any 180 | 10-year UAE permit with 1+ year left, a used multiple-entry Schengen, EU, US or UK visa, or Schengen, EU, US or UK residence | qbz.gov.al |
| Belarus | Conditional (airport visa-free) | Up to 30 days | Used multiple-entry EU/Schengen visa; arrival at one of six airports, not on flights from or to Russia | mfa.gov.by |
| Mexico | Conditional | Up to 180 days, set at entry | Valid US, Canada, Japan, UK or Schengen visa, or permanent residence there or in Chile, Colombia or Peru | gob.mx |
| Montenegro | Conditional | Up to 30 days | Valid Schengen, US, UK, Irish, Australian, Japanese, Canadian or New Zealand visa or residence permit, or an APEC card; not beyond the visa's expiry | gov.me |
| North Macedonia | Conditional | 15 days per entry, 90 in any 180 | EU/Schengen residence, multiple-entry Schengen visa, or (until 31 Dec 2026) multiple-entry UK, US or Canadian visa | mfa.gov.mk |
| Serbia | Conditional | 90 days in 6 months | Valid Schengen, UK, EU or US visa, or Schengen, EU or US residence | mfa.gov.rs |
| Türkiye | Conditional e-Visa | 30 days, single entry | Valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence | mfa.gov.tr |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Visa required | As granted | Visa needed to enter, leave or transit | mvp.gov.ba |
A valid US, UK or Schengen visa opens more doors for Indian nationals: see the conditional table.
Visa-free countries for UAE residents with a Pakistani passport
Pakistani nationals have the fewest nationality-based options in this list, so the UAE residence routes matter most: Georgia, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan all accept Pakistani passports through UAE residence.
| Country | Access | Max stay | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia | Visa-free (UAE residence) | Up to 180 days in a year | Until 1 July 2027; UAE residence valid 6+ months | mfa.am |
| Georgia | Visa-free (UAE residence) | 90 days in any 180 | UAE visa must be multiple-entry and valid for at least 1 year | uae.mfa.gov.ge |
| Seychelles | Visa-free (Travel Authorisation needed) | Up to 3 months | Same rules for all nationalities | ics.gov.sc |
| Uzbekistan | Visa-free (UAE residence) | 30 days | UAE residence visa valid 90+ days on entry | lex.uz |
| Azerbaijan | Airport visa with UAE residence, or eVisa (ASAN Visa) | Up to 30 days | Airport visa with a UAE residence visa valid 6+ months; or e-Visa in advance (3 working days; urgent within 3 hours) | mfa.gov.az |
| Maldives | Visa on arrival | Not stated on the current official page | Same rules for all nationalities | immigration.gov.mv |
| Nepal | Visa on arrival or eVisa (free once a year) | 30 days | Free once per calendar year for SAARC nationals; complete the online form | immigration.gov.np |
| Qatar | Visa on arrival (free) | Up to 30 days | Hotel booked through Discover Qatar only; return ticket; health insurance | portal.moi.gov.qa |
| Kenya | eTA (online, before travel) | Not stated on the portal | Standard eTA USD 30 | etakenya.go.ke |
| Sri Lanka | ETA (free) | 30 days, double entry | Free tourist ETA scheme in force since 25 May 2026 | eta.gov.lk |
| Indonesia | eVisa (C1) | 60 days | IDR 1,000,000 via evisa.imigrasi.go.id | evisa.imigrasi.go.id |
| Japan | eVISA (UAE residence) | Up to 90 days, single entry | Same as for Indian passports | mofa.go.jp |
| Kyrgyzstan | eVisa (UAE residence) | Up to 30 days | Tourist e-visa on the simplified route for UAE residents | evisa.e-gov.kg |
| Oman | eVisa (29A, approved professions) | 28 days | Not on the 14-day exemption lists | evisa.rop.gov.om |
| Saudi Arabia | eVisa (GCC residence) | Up to 90 days per visit | Not eligible by nationality; use the residence route (or a package eVisa) | ksavisa.sa |
| Albania | Conditional | 90 days in any 180 | Same conditions as for Indian passports | qbz.gov.al |
| Belarus | Conditional (airport visa-free) | Up to 30 days | Same as for Indian passports | mfa.gov.by |
| Mexico | Conditional | Up to 180 days, set at entry | Same documents as for Indian passports | gob.mx |
| Montenegro | Conditional | Up to 30 days | Same as for Indian passports | gov.me |
| North Macedonia | Conditional | 15 days per entry, 90 in any 180 | Same as for Indian passports | mfa.gov.mk |
| Serbia | Conditional | 90 days in 6 months | Same as for Indian passports | mfa.gov.rs |
| Türkiye | Conditional e-Visa | 30 days, single entry | Valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence | mfa.gov.tr |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Visa required | As granted | Visa needed to enter, leave or transit | mvp.gov.ba |
| Egypt | Visa required | As granted | Not on the e-Visa list: apply at an embassy or consulate | visa2egypt.gov.eg |
| Jordan | Visa required (prior approval) | As granted | Apply via the Interior Ministry e-services or an embassy | moi.gov.jo |
| Kazakhstan | Visa required | As granted | Consulate General in Dubai, with a copy of the UAE residence visa and an invitation | gov.kz |
| Malaysia | Visa required (eVISA) | Not stated | Apply online at malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my; RM 20 | imi.gov.my |
| Mauritius | Visa required (free) | As granted | Apply before travel through a Mauritian mission | passport.govmu.org |
| Russia | Visa required | As granted | Not on the e-visa list; apply at a Russian embassy or consulate | kdmid.ru |
| Thailand | Visa required (Thai e-Visa) | 60 days per entry (tourist visa) | Apply at thaievisa.go.th; single-entry tourist visa AED 400 | abudhabi.thaiembassy.org |
Visa-free countries for UAE residents with a Philippine passport
Filipino nationals benefit from ASEAN exemptions in Southeast Asia and from several UAE residence routes.
| Country | Access | Max stay | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia | Visa-free (UAE residence) | Up to 180 days in a year | Until 1 July 2027; UAE residence valid 6+ months | mfa.am |
| Cambodia | Visa-free | 30 days | ASEAN exemption | recberlin.mfaic.gov.kh |
| Georgia | Visa-free (UAE residence) | 90 days in any 180 | UAE residence visa valid on the day of entry and of departure; passport valid 90+ days | uae.mfa.gov.ge |
| Indonesia | Visa-free | 30 days, not extendable | ASEAN exemption; passport valid 6+ months | evisa.imigrasi.go.id |
| Kazakhstan | Visa-free | 30 days | Ordinary passport | gov.kz |
| Malaysia | Visa-free | Under 1 month | ASEAN rule | imi.gov.my |
| Seychelles | Visa-free (Travel Authorisation needed) | Up to 3 months | Same rules for all nationalities | ics.gov.sc |
| Thailand | Visa-free | 30 days | Since 15 September 2026 | image.mfa.go.th |
| Uzbekistan | Visa-free (UAE residence) | 30 days | UAE residence visa valid 90+ days on entry | lex.uz |
| Azerbaijan | Visa on arrival (UAE residence) | Up to 30 days | Only with a UAE residence visa valid 6+ months; not on the e-Visa list | mfa.gov.az |
| Maldives | Visa on arrival | Not stated on the current official page | Same rules for all nationalities | immigration.gov.mv |
| Mauritius | Visa on arrival | 60 days | General entry conditions | passport.govmu.org |
| Nepal | Visa on arrival or eVisa | 15, 30 or 90 days | USD 30, 50 or 125; passport valid 6+ months | immigration.gov.np |
| Kenya | eTA (online, before travel) | Not stated on the portal | Standard eTA USD 30 | etakenya.go.ke |
| Sri Lanka | ETA (paid) | 30 days, double entry | USD 50 online or at a mission; USD 60 on arrival | eta.gov.lk |
| Japan | eVISA (UAE residence) | Up to 90 days, single entry | Same as for Indian passports | mofa.go.jp |
| Kyrgyzstan | eVisa | Up to 30 days | Facilitated regime by nationality; UAE residence not needed | evisa.e-gov.kg |
| Oman | eVisa (29A, approved professions) | 28 days | Also on the Foreign Ministry's 14-day exemption list (first group) | fm.gov.om |
| Qatar | GCC-resident visa (approved professions) | 30 days, single entry | No nationality-based visa on arrival; otherwise a Hayya visa | visitqatar.com |
| Russia | Unified e-visa | Up to 30 days per entry | Same conditions as for Indian passports | kdmid.ru |
| Saudi Arabia | eVisa (GCC residence) | Up to 90 days per visit | Not eligible by nationality; use the residence route | ksavisa.sa |
| Albania | Conditional | 90 days in any 180 | Same conditions as for Indian passports | qbz.gov.al |
| Mexico | Conditional | Up to 180 days, set at entry | Same documents as for Indian passports | gob.mx |
| Montenegro | Conditional | Up to 30 days | Same as for Indian passports | gov.me |
| North Macedonia | Conditional | 15 days per entry, 90 in any 180 | Same as for Indian passports | mfa.gov.mk |
| Serbia | Conditional | 90 days in 6 months | Same as for Indian passports | mfa.gov.rs |
| Türkiye | Conditional e-Visa | 30 days, single entry | Valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence | mfa.gov.tr |
| Belarus | Visa required | As granted | Not on the airport visa-free list; e-visa eligibility not confirmed | mfa.gov.by |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Visa required | As granted | Visa needed to enter, leave or transit | mvp.gov.ba |
| Egypt | Visa required | As granted | Not on the e-Visa list: apply at an embassy or consulate | visa2egypt.gov.eg |
| Jordan | Visa required (prior approval) | As granted | Apply via the Interior Ministry e-services or an embassy | moi.gov.jo |
Other passports: Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Ethiopian and more
We cover Indian, Pakistani and Filipino passports first and will add more. For other nationalities, start with the residence routes above: Georgia and Uzbekistan accept any nationality with a valid UAE residence visa. Then check the destination's official visa portal, and whether a US, UK or Schengen visa unlocks more countries.
Visa-free with UAE residence plus a US, UK or Schengen visa
Several countries that ignore the UAE residence visa accept a visa or residence permit from the US, the UK or the Schengen area instead. Check the type of visa required: some need a multiple-entry visa, some a visa you have already used.
| Country | Who can use it | What you must hold | Max stay | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | All nationalities listed | 10-year UAE residence permit, a used multiple-entry Schengen, EU, US or UK visa, or Schengen, EU, US or UK residence | 90 days in any 180 | Council of Ministers of Albania (decision on the criteria for visas) |
| Egypt | More than 180 nationalities (full list on the Egypt e-Visa portal) | Valid and used US, UK, Schengen, Japan, Canada, Australia or New Zealand visa; the authority's page gives the visa-on-arrival fee as both USD 30 and USD 25 | Not stated on the page | Egyptian Tourism Authority |
| Mexico | Indian, Pakistani and Filipino nationals | Valid US, Canada, Japan, UK or Schengen visa, or permanent residence there or in Chile, Colombia or Peru | Up to 180 days | National Migration Institute of Mexico |
| Montenegro | Indian, Pakistani and Filipino nationals | Valid Schengen, US, UK, Irish, Australian, Japanese, Canadian or New Zealand visa or residence permit, or an APEC Business Travel Card (Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand and APEC added by the decree published 6 Aug 2026) | Up to 30 days, within the visa's validity | Government of Montenegro (Decree on the Visa Regime) |
| North Macedonia | Indian, Pakistani and Filipino nationals | EU/Schengen residence or multiple-entry Schengen visa; until 31 Dec 2026 also a multiple-entry UK, US or Canadian visa | 15 days per entry | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia |
| Oman | Allowed nationalities, including Indian nationals | Valid Schengen visa, or a US, UK, Canada, Australia or Japan visa or residence; then visa 26N (10 days, OMR 5) or 26M (30 days, OMR 20) | 10 or 30 days | Royal Oman Police eVisa portal |
| Serbia | Indian, Pakistani and Filipino nationals | Valid Schengen, UK, EU or US visa, or Schengen, EU or US residence permit | 90 days in 6 months | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia |
| Türkiye | Indian, Pakistani and Filipino nationals | Valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit; then an e-Visa | 30 days | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye |
Belarus also lets Indian and Pakistani nationals in for up to 30 days through its airports, but only with a used multiple-entry EU or Schengen visa. If you plan to apply for a Schengen visa from the UAE, see our guide to the Schengen visa from Dubai.
UAE passport: visa-free countries for Emirati citizens
This page is about expatriate residents. Emirati citizens travel on a UAE passport, which has much wider visa-free access. Examples from the official sources we checked: UAE citizens need no visa for short stays in the Schengen area, get a free ETA for Sri Lanka and can visit Belarus visa-free for up to 90 days. These rules apply to Emirati citizens, not to residents. The official UAE portal, citing Arton Capital's Passport Index, says UAE passport holders can travel to 179 countries: 133 visa-free and 46 with visa on arrival; another u.ae page gives 134 and 45 (u.ae). For the rules of each destination, use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' travel requirements by destination.
Documents to carry when you travel from the UAE
- [ ] Passport valid for the period the destination requires. Six months is common, but rules differ: the Maldives asks for one month.
- [ ] UAE residence visa and Emirates ID. If you rely on a residence route, check the minimum validity: Georgia, valid on the day of entry; Uzbekistan, 90 days; Armenia and Azerbaijan, 6 months; Oman, 6 months.
- [ ] Return or onward ticket.
- [ ] Hotel booking or address. Qatar's on-arrival visa for Indian and Pakistani nationals accepts only hotels booked through Discover Qatar.
- [ ] Proof of funds: bank cards or a recent bank statement.
- [ ] Travel or health insurance where required, for example Qatar and Oman's 14-day exemption.
- [ ] Online forms: eVisa or ETA approval, plus any arrival card, such as the Maldives traveller declaration (within 96 hours) or Indonesia's arrival card (within 3 days).
- [ ] For conditional entry: the original US, UK or Schengen visa in your passport, valid on the day you travel.
UAE residents visa-free countries 2026: what changed
Lists of UAE residents' visa-free countries 2025 are now out of date in several places:
- Armenia opened a temporary visa-free regime for UAE residents of 111 nationalities from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027.
- Thailand cut its visa exemption from 60 to 30 days on 15 September 2026, for 60 countries including India and the Philippines.
- Sri Lanka made the 30-day tourist ETA free for 40 countries, including India and Pakistan, from 25 May 2026.
- North Macedonia accepts multiple-entry UK, US and Canadian visas only from 1 January to 31 December 2026.
- Malaysia's visa waiver for Indian nationals runs until 31 December 2026.
How we check this list
- Official sources only: the destination's visa portal, foreign or interior ministry, embassy or immigration authority. Agency and media pages are not sources.
- Date and link in every row to the page we read.
- Unconfirmed means left out: if an official page does not confirm a detail, we do not publish it.
- Dated checks: every row shows the day we last checked it.
Our table of visa-free countries UAE residents can visit is a starting point, not a decision. The border officer decides at entry.
FAQ: visa-free travel for UAE residents
Which countries allow visa on arrival for UAE residents?
Azerbaijan, Qatar and Jordan give a visa on arrival because of Gulf or UAE residence, with conditions; the Maldives gives one to every nationality. For Indonesia, Nepal and Mauritius your passport decides: see the table above.
Which countries are visa-free for UAE residents of any nationality?
Georgia (90 days in any 180) and Uzbekistan (30 days) accept any nationality with a valid UAE residence visa, with extra conditions for some passports. Armenia does the same for 111 nationalities until 1 July 2027. The Maldives and Seychelles let in every nationality, resident or not.
Is Serbia visa-free for UAE residents?
No, not on a UAE residence visa alone. Serbia exempts holders of a valid Schengen, UK, EU or US visa, or a Schengen, EU or US residence permit, for up to 90 days in six months. Without one of these, Indian, Pakistani and Filipino nationals need a visa.
How much does UAE visa on arrival cost?
It depends on nationality. The 90 nationalities that the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists as "Visa Free" need no visa. Indian nationals with a valid US, UK or EU visa or residence permit, or a residence permit from certain other countries, can get a visa on arrival: AED 100 for 14 days or AED 250 for 60 days (ICP). Since 25 June 2026 this also covers Filipino nationals with such residence permits.
What is the 3,000 dirham rule in Dubai?
It usually refers to family sponsorship. A UAE resident employee can sponsor family members with a minimum salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation (u.ae). ICP also lists a financial guarantee of AED 3,000 per family member for an investor's family residence visa.
Which countries have visa bans in the UAE?
We found no official UAE list of nationalities barred from visas. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes only which nationalities are visa-free and which need a visa, and we found no official statement confirming media reports of bans. For entry into the UAE, rely on ICP and the Ministry.
Where can I use my Emirates ID?
For government services and at the immigration gates of UAE airports. It is a travel document only for UAE citizens travelling within the GCC; expatriate residents travel on their passports (u.ae). Since April 2022 it has replaced the residence visa sticker as proof of residence.
Sources
Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.
- Albania e-Visa portal
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan
- tallinn.mfa.gov.az
- canberra.mfa.gov.az
- Bahrain National Portal
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Berlin
- Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Berlin
- Egyptian Tourism Authority
- Egypt e-Visa portal
- Embassy of Georgia in the UAE
- Georgia MFA consular portal
- Indonesia e-Visa portal (Immigration)
- Jordan Pass (Ministry of Tourism)
- Jordan Ministry of Interior
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
- Kenya eTA portal
- Kuwait Ministry of Interior eVisa portal
- Kyrgyzstan e-Visa portal
- Immigration Department of Malaysia
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia
- Maldives Immigration
- Maldives Immigration
- Mauritius Passport and Immigration Office
- Mauritius Passport and Immigration Office
- National Migration Institute of Mexico
- National Migration Institute of Mexico
- Government of Montenegro
- Government of Montenegro
- Government of Montenegro
- Government of Montenegro
- Department of Immigration, Nepal
- Department of Immigration, Nepal
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia
- Royal Oman Police eVisa portal
- Royal Oman Police eVisa portal
- Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Qatar Ministry of Interior
- Qatar Ministry of Interior
- Visit Qatar (Qatar Tourism)
- Russia unified e-visa portal
- Consular Department, Russian MFA
- Visit Saudi (Saudi Tourism Authority)
- Saudi unified visa platform (KSA Visa)
- Saudi unified visa platform (KSA Visa)
- Saudi unified visa platform (KSA Visa)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia
- Seychelles Travel Authorisation
- Seychelles Immigration
- Sri Lanka ETA portal
- Sri Lanka ETA portal
- Royal Thai Embassy, Abu Dhabi
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand
- Türkiye e-Visa portal
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye
- Uzbekistan legislation database (Lex.uz)
- KSA Visa (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs): tourism visa
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visa information to enter the UAE
- UAE ICP: entry visa for nationals of certain countries (June 2026)
- u.ae: residence visa for family members
- u.ae: Emirates ID
- u.ae: the Emirati passport
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: travel requirements by destination
About this page
By the Visa Almanac editorial team. We research and fact-check every rule against the official sources linked on this page. Editorial policy · Change log Last checked: 30–31 Oct 2026 · Updated: 31 Oct 2026 · Report a change
- Updated
- 31 Oct 2026
- Last checked
- Official sources
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