As Eid Al Adha nears, UAE residents can take the upcoming long holiday to travel internationally. Residents can avoid long queues for passport procedures by travelling to countries that offer e-Visas instead.
Those with a UAE residence visa and a passport can travel to Japan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman this Eid Al Adha.
However, the e-Visa process varies from country to country. Here is an extensive guide for those looking to travel to these six countries during the long weekend.
e-Visa for Japan
UAE residents can now travel to Japan by applying for a 90-day e-Visa. This change was announced earlier in April by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
According to the new guidelines, all foreign nationals residing in the UAE and Saudi Arabia can submit their applications for a short-term tourist visa through Japan’s official e-Visa platform at www.evisa.mofa.go.jp.
Applicants must have a valid passport, Emirates ID, and UAE residence visa.
The duration of the short-term tourist visa for Japan is 90 days, as stated by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The e-Visa remains valid for three months, starting from the day after the visa is issued.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the visa issuance fee is JPY3,000, which is approximately AED80. For Indian nationals, the visa fee is AED20.
However, a few nationalities may be exempt from paying the visa fee or may be eligible for a reduced fee.
The Consulate General of Japan in Dubai has provided a list of over 30 countries that are exempt from paying visa fees. The complete list can be found here.
e-visa for Albania
UAE residents of all nationalities can apply for an e-Visa to visit Albania for a maximum stay of 90 days in the country.
The entire application process is conducted online, eliminating the need to visit the consulate in person or engage a third-party agent.
UAE residents applying for the Albania e-Visa must apply through the official e-Visa platform of Albania, accessible at e-visa.al.
The application form should be completed for a ‘Short Stay Visa’ or ‘Type C’.
According to information provided by e-visa.al, individuals holding Golden Visas in the UAE can obtain a visa on arrival for Albania.
This applies to foreign citizens possessing a 10-year residence permit issued by the competent authority of the United Arab Emirates, with a validity of at least one year from the entry date.
The cost of the visa may vary based on the visa type and duration, ranging from AED300 to AED700. The precise cost will depend on the details provided in the application.
The visa approval process can take up to 15 working days, and in certain cases, it may extend to 30 working days.
e-Visa for Azerbaijan
UAE residents visiting Azerbaijan have two options for obtaining a visa: they can either receive a visa on arrival upon their arrival in the country, or they can apply for an e-Visa in advance.
Both visa options permit a maximum stay of 30 days in Azerbaijan. The cost for both the visa on arrival and eVisa is AED140.
To apply for the eVisa, individuals can visit Azerbaijan’s official online visa portal at evisa.gov.az for the same. The visa is typically issued within three days of application.
e-Visa for Saudi Arabia
All GCC residents of all professions can apply for a Saudi e-Visa online, which offers a 90-day validity.
The e-Visa allows individuals to explore Saudi Arabia, visit their family and friends, and perform Umrah at any time of the year, excluding the Hajj season.
However, to be eligible, UAE residents must have a valid residency permit of at least three months and a passport validity of minimum six months.
The application process can be completed through the visa platform provided by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) via their official website.
It is also worth noting that the e-Visa validity varies based on the type of visa applied for.
The multiple-entry tourist visa remains valid for one year from the date of issuance, allowing a 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia whereas, the single-entry tourist visa is valid for three months from the date of issuance, permitting a 30-day stay in the country.
The approximate cost of the eVisa for GCC residents is SAR300 (AED293.78) and an application fee of SAR39.44 (AED38.62). However, the price of medical insurance is not included in these fees and will vary depending on the chosen insurance provider.
e-Visa to Oman
UAE residents can travel to Oman by applying for an e-Visa, granting a maximum stay of 30 days in the country.
The eVisa, known as the ‘GCC Resident Visa,’ can be obtained via Oman’s official e-Visa platform at evisa.rop.gov.om, provided by the Royal Oman Police (ROP).
However, only specific professions approved by the ROP are eligible to apply for the e-Visa. There are more than 30 approved professions for the e-Visa.
If your occupation is not among the eligible professions, you will need to apply for a sponsored tourist visa through an authorised travel agency.
The cost for a 30-day visit visa for GCC residents is OMR5 (AED47.71).
e-Visa to Qatar
Qatar recently introduced the option for GCC residents of all professions to apply for a ‘GCC Resident Visa’ through the new Hayya Portal. This visa allows individuals to stay in Qatar for a maximum duration of 30 days.
However, to qualify for the visa, one must be resident in the UAE or any GCC country for a minimum of three months, starting from the arrival date in Qatar.
Additionally, the job title must also meet the profession specified in the residence visa.
The visa fee amounts to QAR100 (AED100.17), and can be paid for after the visa is approved. The amount is non-refundable.
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