Are you a UAE resident planning to travel to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain or Kuwait? Then you're in luck! UAE expatriate residents can take advantage of eVisa or visa on arrival options to enter these countries hassle-free.
Travelling to GCC countries has never been easier for UAE residents as they can opt for either an eVisa or a visa on arrival, depending on their nationality or profession. With recent developments in the eVisa system for Saudi Arabia and Oman expanding its visa on arrival categories, UAE residents planning to explore these countries need to be aware of their visa options.
Whether you're travelling for business or leisure, don't let visa requirements hinder your plans. Choose from the various eVisa or visa on arrival options available in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait to make your journey smooth and stress-free. So pack your bags, check your visa options and get ready to explore the GCC!
Visit Visa Options For Saudi Arabia
As per Saudi Arabia's official tourism platform, there are three types of visitors eligible for visa on arrival. These include:
1. Tourists from 49 eligible countries.
2. Permanent residents of the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union (EU).
3. As well as individuals holding tourist or business visas from the UK, US, or Schengen Area.
This information is crucial for those planning to visit Saudi Arabia and can help them determine the visa options available to them. By referring to visitsaudi.com and staying up to date with the latest visa policies, visitors can ensure a hassle-free travel experience to this beautiful country.
Read: Saudi EVisa: Who Can Apply For A Saudi Online EVisa And Visa On Arrival
Saudi eVisa for GCC residents
On March 9, 2023, the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia made a groundbreaking announcement that is sure to excite UAE residents who want to explore the GCC region. According to the announcement, all expatriate residents in GCC countries, regardless of their profession, are now eligible to apply for a Saudi electronic tourist visa or eVisa. This visa option extends to all first-degree relatives of the GCC resident and domestic workers who visit along with their sponsors. However, it's important to note that expats' dependents must have a valid residency visa from a GCC country, as per the website of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). With this new development, UAE residents now have even more visit visa options to explore and experience the beautiful attractions of the GCC region.
If you are a UAE resident, the newly introduced Saudi e-visa allows you to visit your loved ones, explore the country, and perform Umrah at any time of the year, except during the Hajj season.
However, to be eligible for the e-visa, there are certain important conditions that GCC residents must meet. These conditions include:
1. Having a residency document that is valid for at least three months.
2. A passport that is valid for at least six months.
3. Being at least 18 years old if travelling without parents.
By meeting these conditions, UAE residents and other GCC residents can take advantage of this exciting new visa option and explore the beauty of Saudi Arabia.
If you want to know how to apply for the visa, simply click on the link provided for more information.
Read: How UAE Expats Can Apply Online For Saudi E-visas
Visit Visa Options For Qatar
The official tourism platform of Qatar, provides a comprehensive list of visa options available to visitors, which are as follows:
1. Visa on Arrival
Visas on arrival to Qatar are available to citizens from more than 95 countries. It's worth noting that the duration of stay and requirements may vary depending on the visitor's nationality. For instance, some nationalities may be granted a 90-day stay, while others may be eligible for a 30-day stay.
To check whether your country is eligible for a visa on arrival and to find out more about the specific requirements, please refer to this link.
Read: List Of Visa Free Entry Countries In Qatar
2. Visa Waiver for Qatar for Nationals of Select Countries
If you are a national of India, Pakistan, Ukraine, Iran, or Thailand and plan to visit Qatar, you can get a visa on arrival as long as you have made a hotel reservation via www.discoverqatar.qa. This visa allows a maximum stay of 30 days in the country.
Discover Qatar has clarified that the hotels available for booking on their website are specifically intended for visitors who need to meet the Visa on Arrival requirements mandated by the Ministry of Interior of Qatar.
If you're an Indian, Pakistani, or Iranian national planning to travel to Qatar, it's important to note that you need to have a return ticket as well as a hotel reservation made through Discover Qatar's website. You can find the list of mandatory hotels for Visa on Arrival at this link: https://www.discoverqatar.qa/mandatory-hotels-for-visa-on-arrival
3. Hayya Card Holders
The Hayya Card, which was introduced for the FIFA World Cup held in Qatar last year, is a type of permit that enables visitors to attend the event. The Qatari Ministry of Interior has extended the validity of the Hayya Card for non-resident fans and organizers until January 24, 2024.
To be eligible for visa-free travel to Qatar as a UAE resident holding a Hayya Card, you must satisfy the following travel requirements:
- You should have a confirmed hotel reservation or approved family/friend accommodation through the Hayya Portal.
- Your passport must be valid for at least three months upon arrival.
- You need to possess valid health insurance.
- You must have return tickets.
As per the information provided by Visit Qatar, visitors to Qatar holding a Hayya Card can avail themselves of the following benefits:
- The 'Hayya with Me' feature, which enables them to invite up to three family members or friends. This feature allows international visitors to invite three non-Hayya Card holders to Qatar.
- Access to e-gates at State ports.
- Exemption from any fees.
4. Visa on Arrival in Qatar: Approved Professions for GCC Residents
If you are a resident of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and do not meet the eligibility criteria for a visa on arrival in Qatar or do not possess a Hayya Card, there is still an option to obtain a visa on arrival. You can do so if your profession has been approved by Qatar's Ministry of Interior (MOI). You can find the list of approved professions on this link.
To be eligible for the visa on arrival, you must ensure that you possess a valid passport and a UAE residency permit that is valid for a minimum of six months.
In case you do not fulfill the mentioned conditions, you would have to apply for a visit visa to Qatar through an authorized travel agent in your home country or at the Qatari embassy in your country of origin.
Visit Visa Options For Oman
In its efforts to promote and facilitate tourism in Oman, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) manages the process of visa issuance for visitors. As part of this initiative, the ROP recently announced that tourists from 103 countries and regions can now enter Oman without the need for an entry visa, with a maximum allowable stay of 14 days.You can find the complete list of countries here.
Visitors from India can also apply for a visa on arrival, provided they hold an entry visa for the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Schengen countries, or Japan.
1. Oman Visa on arrival for UAE residents
Irrespective of their nationality, UAE residents can obtain a visa on arrival in Oman if they work in a profession approved by the Royal Oman Police. The approved list of professions is available here in the link.
When applying for a visa on arrival, it is important to have the following documents:
- A valid passport that has at least six months left before expiration.
- A UAE residency permit that is also valid for at least six months.
- A recent coloured passport-sized photograph.
Visa applicants can choose between a single-entry permit, which is valid for one month, or a multiple-entry visa that is valid for one year. It is important to note that for both types of visas, the duration of each visit should not exceed one month.
Visit Visa Options For Bahrain
Bahrain's Nationality, Passports, and Residency Affairs (NPRA) allows over 60 nationalities to receive a visa on arrival, which permits a stay of over 14 days. To check if your nationality is eligible, you can visit the following link: https://www.evisa.gov.bh/list-of-onarrival-visa-country.html
Visa on Arrival for Residents of UAE
Bahrain's NPRA has announced that residents of UAE who work in skilled professions are eligible for a visa on arrival, allowing them to stay in Bahrain for up to two weeks on a single-entry permit.
To be eligible for the visa, certain conditions must be met, including:
- The UAE residency permit should be valid for at least three months.
- A valid passport for at least six months is required.
- The applicant should work in a skilled profession.
- Evidence of a return ticket must be presented.
- Hotel reservation details are also necessary.
Multiple eVisa Options for Bahrain
Residents of UAE working in skilled professions are also eligible to apply for multiple-entry eVisas for Bahrain, including the following options:
- One-month multiple-entry visa.
- Three-month multiple-entry visa.
- One-year multiple-entry visa.
The multiple-entry visa for Bahrain can be applied for via the NPRA eVisa portal at www.evisa.gov.bh, or through a travel agent authorized by the government of Bahrain in your country.
Visit Visa Options For Kuwait
Kuwait's Ministry of Interior (MOI) has stated that more than 50 nationalities are allowed to obtain visas upon arrival. For a complete list, please refer to this link: https://evisa.moi.gov.kw/evisa/home_e.do.
Kuwait eVisa for the residents of GCC
If you are a resident of the UAE and your nationality is not among those eligible for visa-free entry, you can still apply for an eVisa or a tourist visa for GCC residents.
Below are the required documents for obtaining an eVisa:
- Valid passport and UAE residence permit, both with a validity of more than six months.
- Return ticket confirmation.
- Residence details in Kuwait should also be provided.
To be eligible for a Kuwait eVisa for GCC residents, you must have an approved profession, which includes but is not limited to doctor, lawyer, engineer, teacher, judge, consultant, member of public prosecution, university teacher, journalist, press and media staff, pilot, system analyst, pharmacist, computer programmer, manager, businessman, diplomatic corps, owners, managers and representative of commercial companies and establishments, and university graduates.
You can apply for the eVisa through Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) eVisa platform, evisa.moi.gov.kw, or through an authorized travel agent in your home country. Additionally, you must provide a valid passport and UAE residence permit that are both valid for at least six months, a return ticket, and your residence details in Kuwait.