The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced sweeping changes to its visa waiver policy in a move to strengthen international relations and boost tourism,
Under the revised regulations, citizens from 87 countries now have the privilege of entering the UAE without the requirement to obtain a pre-entry visa, VisaGuide.World reports.
However, citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are exempt from these prerequisites and can enjoy visa-free travel to the UAE. These individuals can quickly enter the country by presenting either a passport from a GCC state or an ID card at UAE entry points.
Upon arrival, eligible individuals are issued an entry visa valid for 30 days, with an additional grace period of 10 days.
UAE Grants 90-Day Visa-Free Stays for Eligible Nations
In addition, certain countries have been granted visa assurance for 90 days upon arrival in the UAE. Indian citizens, in particular, can benefit from a visa-on-arrival facility provided they hold passports, United States visit visas or green cards, and United Kingdom or European Union residency visas valid for at least six months. A report conducted by Booking.com and Statista in 2022 revealed that the UAE emerged as the top destination for Indian tourists, recording a total of 5.89 million visitors throughout the year.
This privilege allows Indian citizens an initial stay of 14 days, with the option to extend their visit for a further 14 days, enabling them to explore the diverse offerings of the UAE, including its rich culture and vibrant urban landscapes.
According to local media, for individuals who are not covered by the visa exemption list, obtaining a prior entry permit is a requisite before traveling to the UAE. A sponsor typically issues this entry permit, which is necessary for entry into the country. The type of entry permit required varies depending on the purpose of the visit and is issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
Moreover, the countries included in the list of extended visa-on-arrival facilities are as follows:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
- Iceland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Republic of Ireland
- Romania
- Russia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Bahamas
- The Netherlands
- UK
- US
- Ukraine
- Uruguay
- Vatican
- Hellenic
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Armenia
- Fiji
- Kosovo