- Visa Free Countries
- For Indian Expats
- For Pakistani Expats
- For Filipino Expats
- Frequently Asked Questions
After a long year of staying at home, the idea of travelling outside the country for a holiday sounds super exciting for UAE residents. But in a world where there are multiple restrictions around travelling, where exactly do you go? And the hassle of applying for a visa sounds like one hassle too many, doesn’t it? That’s why we’ve compiled a list of countries that allow visa-free travel for UAE residents, along with being open to tourists.
Forget those worries of getting a visa and head on that vacay you’ve been dreaming of all year long!
Visa free countries for UAE residents
If you’re planning your trip around one of the major public holidays in the UAE, we’d suggest you start booking your stay and transport sooner rather than later. Usually, the price of these tickets ends up peaking as the holiday seasons approach.
Let’s start off with the list of travel destinations that are visa free for UAE residents, no matter what your country of citizenship is.
Sri Lanka
Known as the Pearl of the Orient, Sri Lanka is a gorgeous island in the Indian Ocean that every nature enthusiast has on their bucket list. As a UAE resident, you will have to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) online via the Sri Lanka government site. This ETA will be valid for 30 days.
There are a few regulations to follow for travelling to Sri Lanka, regardless of your vaccination status. First, you are required to have proof of booking at a ‘level 1 hotel’, as mandated by the Travel and Tourism department of the country. You can find the various levels of hotels in Sri Lanka on their official website.
You are required to have a negative RT-PCR test result, taken 72 hours before departure. You will also have to take a PCR test on arrival and an exit test if your stay is over 5 days. It is also mandatory to have taken a local travel insurance cover.
It’s easy to see why Sri Lanka is one of the most visited places among the visa-free countries for UAE residents. With its fascinating ancient ruins, beautiful shorelines and exquisite mountains, this diverse island has everything you’d want in an ideal vacation spot.
Sri Lanka has multiple places where one can surf, including Hikkaduwa Arugam Bay, Mirissa and more. You can visit the tea terraces at Nuwara Eliya or Kandy. There are also several historic places of worship including Adam’s Peak and numerous Buddhist and Hindu temples.
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you should definitely check out places like Yala National Park and Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. The Turtle Hatchery is also a fascinating place to visit.
Among all the places to visit without a visa for UAE residents, Sri Lanka provides a well-rounded experience for holidaymakers. As they say in Sri Lanka, Ayubowan!
Maldives
If you associate vacations with tranquil beaches, bright blue skies and sparkling sands, then the Maldives is the place for you. The Maldives offers a visa on arrival (which is valid for 30 days). Currently, if you are unvaccinated, you are required to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine before being allowed to travel around the island.
If you’ve been vaccinated, you’re in luck! There are a host of fun things you can do in the Maldives, apart from chilling in a luxury resort (which are aplenty on this lovely island). Water sports are big on these islands. You can opt for water flying, fun tubing, parasailing, diving and surfing.
Talking about luxury resorts, there are several options to choose from in different parts of the archipelago. Head over to booking sites online and book a resort based on your preferences.
Even if you plan to travel in the summer months, you don’t have to worry about the heat, as the weather here is relatively cool when compared to the UAE. Get ready to be pampered and rejuvenated on your dream vacation in the Maldives
Georgia
If you are a history buff, Georgia should definitely be on top of your list of places to visit, with a huge advantage being that it is one of the visa free countries for UAE residents.
Georgia offers a 90-day visa on arrival for UAE residents. If you are vaccinated, you will not be required to quarantine for 14 days but will have to carry a negative PCR test result taken 72 hours before departure.
Georgia has a host of interesting places to visit. Places of interest for tourists include Vardzia, Uplistsikhe, Mtatsminda Park, Narikala fortress and more. If you prefer letting your hair down and partying, there are several nightclubs and bars which can definitely give you memories of a lifetime.
Azerbaijan
Being situated at the crossroads of Southwest Asia and Southeastern Europe, Azerbaijan is a fascinating country that blends Eastern and Western culture together.
Currently, Azerbaijan offers a visa on arrival for UAE residents. You must have your proof of vaccination, as well as a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before departure.
Being an affordable travel destination, Azerbaijan is popular among people looking for holidays on a budget. It has both an urban side, with skyscrapers and modernity, as well as a rural side laden with history and gardens.
Visa-free destinations for Indians in the UAE
While these countries offer residence-based visa options, most locations determine this based on your passport. Let’s take a look at the countries you can visit visa-free if you are an Indian citizen:
- Barbados
- The British Virgin Islands
- Cook Islands
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Fiji
- Grenada
- Haiti
- Indonesia
- Jamaica .
- Macau
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Montserrat
- Niue
- Northern Cyprus
- Palestine
- Pitcairn Islands
- Qatar
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Svalbard
- Transnistria
- Tunisia
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Vanuatu
Before planning a trip, make sure you have a valid passport. If it is expired, apply for Indian passport renewal immediately.
Visa-free destinations for Pakistani passport holders in the UAE
If you are a citizen of Pakistan, here’s a list of places that are either visa-free or require an e-visa. We would recommend checking out the respective Government immigration policies to confirm if an e-visa is required:
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde
- Comoros
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Nepal
- Palau
- Qatar
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka (ETA required)
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
Visa-free destinations for Philippines passport holders
If you an expat holding a Filipino passport, you can travel to the following countries that offer visa-free entry or visa on arrival:
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- Laos
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Mongolia
- Myanmar
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Cote d’Ivoir
- Gambia
- Rwanda
- Fiji
- Micronesia
- Niue
- Vanuatu
- Dominica
- Haiti
- St Vincent and the Grenadine
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- Peru
- Suriname
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries in Europe are currently quarantine free for UAE residents?
Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Malta, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Georgia are the countries in Europe that currently allow vaccinated travellers to visit without requiring a 14 day mandatory quarantine. If you are thinking about travelling to an EU country, check out our guide to applying for a Schengen visa from Dubai
What are the regulations when returning to the UAE?
Regulations on travelling to the UAE differs from emirate to emirate. For UAE residents coming into Sharjah or Dubai, you will have to take a mandatory PCR test at the airport, after which you must stay at home until you receive the results.
For travellers via Abu Dhabi, you will be required to undergo a home quarantine for 14 days unless you’re flying in from one of the Green List countries.
We hope that your next vacation to one of the visa-free countries for UAE residents is filled with fun and you make some happy memories that will last you a lifetime. Each of these destinations offers sights and adventures that are definitely worth experiencing.
If you aren’t interested in travelling outside the country, there are several fun things to do right here in the UAE. You can opt for an overnight desert Safari in Dubai or visit Heritage Village Abu Dhabi and have a great time. Pack your bags, lace up your shoes and go on a short trip from Dubai for the weekend!
If you wish to understand the different types of visas in the country, check out our guides on long term UAE visa and the new family UAE visa.
Find out all the fun things you can do while living in the UAE on MyBayut, the region’s best property blog!
* Visa rules are constantly subject to change, so it’s advisable to contact the relevant embassy or consulate before travelling.
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