Foreigners living in the UAE have the advantage of travelling visa-free or with an eVisa to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Residents of the UAE can easily travel to GCC nations because they can either obtain a visa on arrival or an eVisa based on their nationality or line of work.
You might want to know your visa options for travelling in the GCC as a resident of the UAE in light of recent developments in Saudi Arabia, which permit GCC citizens to apply for an eVisa regardless of their profession, and with Oman expanding its categories eligible for visa on arrival and visa-free entry.
1. Saudi Arabia
The three visitor categories eligible for visa on arrival are as follows, according to visitsaudi.com, the official tourism website of Saudi Arabia:
- Tourists from 49 eligible countries.
- Citizens of the US, UK, and EU who have obtained permanent residency (EU).
- Those with valid travel or business visas from the US, the UK, or the Schengen Area.
Saudi eVisa for GCC residents
Regardless of their occupation, all foreign nationals living in GCC nations as of March 9 are eligible to apply for a Saudi electronic tourist visa or eVisa.
Moreover, domestic workers who travel with their sponsors can also apply for an eVisa, as can all first-degree relatives of the GCC resident. However, according to the website of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dependents of expatriates must possess a valid resident visa from a GCC nation (MOFA).
With this e-visa, UAE residents can travel to see family and friends, explore the nation, and undertake Umrah whenever they want, with the exception of when Hajj is being performed.
Important conditions for Saudi eVisa
The requirements that GCC citizens must fulfil before applying to ensure that they are qualified for the Saudi e-visa are as follows:
- At least three months should pass before the residency document expires.
- A passport must be valid for at least six months.
- If applicants are travelling independently from their parents, the minimum age requirement is 18.
2. Qatar
The following are the visa possibilities for travellers, per the Visit Qatar website, visitqatar.com, which is the nation’s official tourism website:
A. Visa on Arrival
Visas for Qatar may be obtained upon arrival for nationals of more than 95 countries. It is crucial to remember that based on nationality, the length of stay and conditions vary.
For instance, some nationalities eligible for visas on arrival may be permitted to stay in the country for up to 90 days, while other nationalities may only be permitted to do so for 30 days.
You can find the list of countries eligible for visa on arrival to Qatar through this link: https://visitqatar.com/intl-en/practical-info/visas/visa-details
B. Visa Waiver for Qatar for specific nationalities
The only need for obtaining a visa on arrival for citizens of India, Pakistan, Ukraine, Iran, and Thailand is that they have a hotel reservation made through the Discover Qatar website (www.discoverqatar.qa) and that they will be staying in the nation for no less than 30 days.
You can find the list of hotels by visiting this link from Discover Qatar: https://www.discoverqatar.qa/mandatory-hotels-for-visa-on-arrival
Additionally, Indian, Pakistani, and Iranian nationals must have a return ticket.
C. Hayya Card Holders
The Hayya Card’s validity for non-resident attendees and organisers was extended by the Qatari Ministry of Interior in January 2023 until January 24, 2024. Visitors could watch the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year with the use of a special licence called the Hayya Card.
If you match the following criteria and are a resident of the UAE with a Hayya Card, you may visit Qatar without a visa:
Have a confirmed hotel reservation or approved family/friend accommodation through the Hayya Portal.
- A passport is valid for three months or more upon arrival.
- Valid health insurance.
- Return tickets.
The following advantages are available to Hayya Card holders visiting Qatar, according to Visit Qatar:
- The “Hayya with Me” option, lets you invite up to three relatives or friends. This feature allows international visitors to invite three non-Hayya Card holders with them to Qatar.
- E-gate access at State ports
• No fees are required.
D. Qatar Visa on Arrival for GCC residents with approved professions
If you are a resident of the UAE and do not belong to one of the nationalities that are eligible for a visa on arrival or do not own a Hayya Card, you may still be able to obtain a visa for entry into Qatar on arrival provided you work in a field recognised by Qatar’s Ministry of Interior (MOI).
Find the list of approved professions through this link: https://portal.moi.gov.qa/wps/wcm/connect/aa5b6e71-e49e-460f-8c64-82ff9f71b1f5/List+of+Professions+Approved+for+on.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
You must have a current passport and a valid UAE residency permit that is good for at least six months in order to qualify for the visa on arrival.
If you do not meet any of the requirements, you must apply for a visit visa to Qatar at the embassy of Qatar in your place of residence or through an authorised travel agency in your country.
3. Oman
On Tuesday, March 14, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) announced that visitors from more than 103 countries can enter Oman without a visa for up to 14 days.
If they already hold an entry visa for the US, Canada, the UK, one of the Schengen nations, or Japan, Indian travellers may also apply for a visa on arrival.
A. Visa on arrival for UAE residents
No matter their nationality, UAE citizens who operate in a field recognised by the Royal Oman Police are eligible for a visa on arrival. The list of occupations that have been approved can be found at evisa.rop.gov.om.
Important documents:
- A passport must be valid for at least six months.
- A six-month or longer valid resident permit for the UAE.
- A current, coloured passport photo.
The visa is also available as a one-month single entrance permit or a one-year multiple entry visa, provided that each visitor’s stay does not exceed one month.
4. Bahrain
According to Bahrain’s Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs, more than 60 nationalities are eligible for visas on arrival and are permitted to stay in the country for more than 14 days (NPRA). Visit this website to see if your country is one that can obtain a visa upon arrival: https://www.evisa.gov.bh/list-of-onarrival-visa-country.html.
Visa on Arrival for UAE residents
According to Bahrain’s NPRA, skilled professional residents of the UAE qualify for a visa on arrival and are permitted a single entrance for up to two weeks of stay.
You must, however, meet certain requirements in order to qualify for the visa:
- The UAE residency permit must be valid for at least three months.
- Must have a valid passport of at least six months.
- The applicant must work in a skilled profession.
- Must have a return ticket.
- Hotel reservation details.
Multiple eVisa for Bahrain
Residents of the UAE who are employed in a skilled field may also apply for a Bahrain multiple-entry eVisa. Which are:
- One month multiple entry visa
- Three-month multiple entry visa
- One-year multiple entry visa
Applying for a multiple entry visa to Bahrain is possible via the NPRA eVisa portal at www.evisa.gov.bh or a licenced travel agency in your nation.
5. Kuwait
The Ministry of Interior (MOI) of Kuwait reports that more than 50 countries are given visas immediately upon arrival. The entire list is available at this link: https://evisa.moi.gov.kw/evisa/home e.do
Kuwait eVisa for GCC residents
But, if you live in the UAE and your country is not one of those allowed to enter without a visa, you can still apply for an eVisa or a tourist visa for GCC citizens.
The documents for the eVisa are listed below:
- Passports and visas for the UAE must be valid for at least six months.
- Must have a return ticket.
- Must provide their residence details in Kuwait
Be a member of the diplomatic corps, a doctor, an engineer, a teacher, a judge, a consultant, a member of the public prosecution, a journalist, a press and media staff, a pilot, a system analyst, a pharmacist, a computer programmer, a manager, a businessman, or any other profession that has been approved. University graduates are also eligible.
For GCC citizens, you can apply for a Kuwait eVisa via evisa.moi.gov.kw, the website of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior, or through a licenced travel agency in your home country.