7 Easy e-Visas for UAE Residents: Your Ticket to Smooth Travel
If you’re a UAE resident looking to travel abroad for your summer vacation without the hassle of a lengthy visa process, you have some convenient options. You can obtain an e-Visas for seven different countries:
- Saudi Arabia GCC eVisa
- Japan eVisa
- Azerbaijan eVisa or Visa on Arrival
- Oman eVisa for GCC Residents
- Qatar eVisa for GCC Residents
- Albania eVisa
- Madagascar
The great thing about e-Visas is that you can complete the application online in just a few minutes, eliminating the need to visit a consulate or use a third-party agent.
Each of these countries has its own specific requirements and costs, so make sure to check the details before applying.
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1. Saudi Arabia GCC eVisa:
If you’re a resident of a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country, you can apply for an eVisa to visit Saudi Arabia. This eVisa allows you to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days. You can use it to explore the country, visit family and friends, and even go on a pilgrimage called Umrah at any time of the year, except during Hajj season.
In order to get Saudi Arabia GCC eVisa you need to have a valid UAE residence permit for at least three months and a passport that’s valid for at least six months.
The length of your stay in Saudi Arabia depends on the type of eVisa you apply for. There are two types:
- Multiple-entry tourist visa: This one is valid for one year from the date it’s issued, and you can stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days at a time.
- Single-entry tourist visa: It’s good for three months from the date it’s issued, and you can stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 30 days at a time.
The e-visa for GCC residents costs about 300 Saudi riyals (that’s about 293.25 UAE dirhams), and this includes the cost of health insurance. The total cost may vary depending on the health insurance coverage you choose.
You can apply through the visa platform of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) – https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/
2. Japan eVisa:
Getting a visa for Japan has become much easier for UAE residents. If you’re a UAE resident planning to visit Japan, you can apply for a 90-day tourist eVisa online.
If you live in the UAE or Saudi Arabia, you can apply for this short-term tourist visa online through Japan’s official eVisa website.
Before applying, make sure you have a valid passport, Emirates ID, and UAE residence visa.
The eVisa is valid for three months, starting from the day after it’s issued.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs charges a visa fee of 3,000 yen, which is around 82 UAE dirhams. However, some nationalities don’t have to pay this fee or may pay a reduced amount.
If you want to know if your nationality is exempt from the fee, you can check the list provided by the Consulate General of Japan in Dubai here
.
3. Azerbaijan e-Visa or Visa on Arrival:
If you’re a UAE resident planning to visit Azerbaijan, you have two options for getting a visa. You can either get a visa when you arrive in Azerbaijan and they’ll stamp it in your passport, or you can apply for an eVisa in advance.
Both of these visas allow you to stay in Azerbaijan for up to 30 days.
As for the cost, both the visa on arrival and the eVisa cost 140 dirhams.
If you decide to go for the eVisa option, you can apply for it on Azerbaijan’s official online visa portal at evisa.gov.az. The eVisa will be issued to you within three days.
4. Oman eVisa for GCC Residents:
GCC residents can apply for a 30-day eVisa to Oman. However, only specific professions are eligible for this online visa; others will need to apply for a sponsored tourist visa through an authorized travel agency.
If you’re an expat living in the UAE and you’re thinking about traveling to Oman, you can apply for something called an eVisa. This eVisa allows you to stay in Oman for up to 30 days. It’s called the ‘GCC Resident Visa,’ and it’s issued by the Royal Oman Police (ROP). You can apply for it through Oman’s official eVisa website at evisa.rop.gov.om.
As for the cost, getting a 30-day visit visa for GCC residents will cost you Omani Rial 5, which is about 47.50 UAE dirhams.
If you’re not sure whether your profession qualifies for the eVisa, you can check here to find out.
5. Qatar eVisa for GCC Residents:
Qatar offers a 30-day eVisa to GCC residents of all professions through the Hayya Portal. They’ve introduced a new ‘GCC Resident Visa’ that allows people from all kinds of professions to apply. With this visa, you can visit Qatar and stay for up to 30 days.
You should have a valid UAE or GCC residency for at least three months from the date you plan to arrive in Qatar. Also, your job title should match what’s mentioned in your residence visa.
You’ll need to pay a visa fee of QAR100, which is about Dh100.49. But remember, this fee is non-refundable, so make sure everything’s in order before applying.
You can start the application process on the new Hayya Portal at haya.qa.
6. Albania eVisa:
Getting a visa for Albania is pretty straightforward. They offer an eVisa, which is available for people from all nationalities. With this eVisa, you can stay in Albania for up to 90 days. What’s great is that you can do the whole application process online. That means you don’t have to go to the consulate or use a third-party agent.
You apply online through Albania’s official eVisa platform, which you can find at e-visa.al. When you fill out the application form, you’ll be applying for something called a ‘Short Stay Visa’ or ‘Type C.’
About the cost, it can vary depending on the type of visa you’re applying for and how long you plan to stay. It might range from Dh300 to Dh700, and the exact cost depends on the details of your application.
The approval process for the visa can take up to 15 working days, and sometimes it might even take up to 30 working days.
7. Madagascar:
If you’re thinking about visiting Madagascar, there’s good news! They offer an eVisa for people of all nationalities.
You can register for this tourist visa online through Madagascar’s official eVisa platform at evisamada-mg.com.
Alternatively, you can also get a visa on arrival. This means you can fill out the eVisa application when you arrive at one of the visa counters located at Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.
Before you apply, make sure your passport has at least six months of validity.
The visa is valid for six months from the date it’s issued.
You can choose from three options for your duration of stay:
- 15 days
- 30 days
- 60 days
The cost of the e-visa :
- For 15 days: $10 (that’s about Dh63)
- For 30 days: $37 (around Dh135)
- For 60 days: $45 (about Dh165)
Once your application is approved, you’ll get something called an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in about three working days.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs on 7 Easy E-Visas for UAE Residents
What is an eVisa, and how does it work for UAE residents?
An eVisa is an electronic visa that allows UAE residents to travel to certain countries without the need for a physical visa stamp in their passport. It’s obtained online through the country’s official eVisa platform.
Which countries offer eVisas to UAE residents?
UAE residents can obtain eVisas for Saudi Arabia, Japan, Azerbaijan, Oman, Qatar, Albania, and Madagascar. Each country has its own requirements and application process.
What are the general requirements for these eVisas?
Requirements may vary, but typically, you’ll need a valid UAE residence permit, a passport with sufficient validity, and sometimes additional documents like health insurance or specific profession qualifications.
How long does it take to get an eVisa?
The processing time varies by country, but it’s often a matter of a few days to a couple of weeks. It’s advisable to apply well in advance of your travel dates.
What are the costs associated with these eVisas?
Costs vary depending on the country and the type of eVisa you’re applying for. Generally, you can expect to pay a visa fee along with any additional fees, such as health insurance.
Can I apply for multiple eVisas simultaneously for different countries?
Yes, you can apply for multiple eVisas for different countries, but make sure to check each country’s specific requirements and processing times.
Do I need to visit the consulate or use a third-party agent for these eVisas?
No, the application process for these eVisas is entirely online, eliminating the need to visit a consulate or use an agent. You can apply directly through the official eVisa platforms.
How long is the validity of these eVisas, and how long can I stay in the respective countries?
The validity and duration of stay vary by country and the type of eVisa you apply for. It’s crucial to check each country’s specific guidelines to ensure compliance
Can I extend my stay or change my visa type once I’m in the destination country?
Extension or change of visa type may be possible in some cases, but it’s essential to check with the respective country’s immigration authorities for their specific policies and procedures.
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