Traveling is an adventure in itself, but all the things you need to figure out before the journey is the visa requirement. If you are a UAE citizen, then you’ll be glad to know that there is a great number of destinations you could visit on an on-arrival visa. This is a convenient option as you will have more freedom to go whenever without worrying about visas. In this article, we are going to break down the need-to-knows regarding on-arrival visas for UAE residents, from how they work to the list of countries offering this service.

What Is an On-Arrival Visa?

An on-arrival visa is literally that which the name suggests-a visa one can get on arrival in the destination country. While pre-arranged visas require you to apply for one ahead of time, an on-arrival visa saves you the time-consuming application procedure. All you will have to do is fill up some forms, pay the visa fee, and get cleared at the immigration counter upon your arrival.

An On-arrival Visa for UAE Residents: Benefits

So, why would an on-arrival visa become a great option? Above all, it’s very convenient to get. You wouldn’t need to deal with embassies or tedious online forms in advance of your trip. In fact, this is ideal for spontaneous travel or running short on time processing a visa before traveling.

Another giant advantage is flexibility. Since you are not required to commit your traveling plans way in advance, there is easiness in planning your trip around any last-minute deal or opportunity. Pack your bag and fly into one of these countries knowing you will get your visa when you land!

Countries Which Issue Visa on Arrival for UAE Residents

Some countries across various continents offer on-arrival visas to the citizens of the United Arab Emirates, meaning you can visit many places without wasting time in long visa procedures. Some popular destinations are as follows:
Tropical Paradise in the Maldives: You will be provided with a 30-day visa on arrival from UAE.
Georgia: Enjoy a 90-day stay with an on-arrival visa.
Jordan: You may get a visa upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport.
Sri Lanka: Available upon arrival, with a visit stay of up to 30 days.
Seychelles: One doesn’t have to pay any fees, as it is free entry through a visitor’s permit that grants one 90 days.
The list is too long, but in this category, there are many more places you can visit.
Eligibility Criteria for On-arrival Visa.
Although the procedure to obtain an on-arrival visa seems easy, you have to fulfill certain requirements beforehand to obtain it. Most countries require the following requirements:

You need to have a valid passport: These days, the condition of the passport usually is that it should be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
You have a valid UAE residency visa: This is usually a requirement for most of the countries.
Return or onward travel: Many immigration offices require to see your return or onward flight ticket.
Hotel reservations: Some countries will ask for reservations or a letter of invitation showing where you will be staying.

General Procedure for an On Arrival Visa

An on-arrival visa is usually very straightforward. Immediately after you land at your destination, you’ll be heading to the immigration or the visa counter where you will:

• Fill in the visa application form if it applies
• Provide the necessary documents. This includes; your passport, resident visa, flight itinerary and hotel reservations.
• Pay for the visa fee. They can either pay in cash or card depending on how this will be handled in the country.The issuing of your visa is done through an immigration officer and takes normally minutes or two
  Once your visa is approved you are stamped and ready to have a good time.

Common Documents Required for an On-Arrival Visa

While being away from any hassle while applying for the on-arrival visa, you must carry the following documents with you to submit, though.

Passport: The passport you carry should be valid as per the rules of the issuing country.
Residency visa in UAE: The residency visa in UAE should be valid and current. You will not be able to prove your staying if you are carrying a canceled residency visa in UAE.
Return flight ticket: For the sake of illustrating that you are actually going to leave the country before the on-arrival visa is due to expire.
Hotel bookings or address of your stay: It will depict your stay arrangements.

Visa fee payment – how and when?

Visa fee varies in every country, for on arrival visas. It depends upon the number of days of stay within the country, the visa, and many more. Normally, you pay visa fee in terms of the local currency or sometimes, it would be acceptable if done in US dollars or Euros as well. Credit card payments are accepted at a few airports; however, bring some cash anyway.

How Long Can You Stay with an On-Arrival Visa?

The period of visit allowed by virtue of an on-arrival visa differs from country to country. For example:
Maldives: 30 days
Georgia: 90 days
Jordan: Valid for up to 30 days on arrival
Verify the actual laws applicable in each of the countries you intend to visit, so that you do not overstay and may be charged extra for overstaying, or barred to return to a country.

Countries with Free On-Arrival Visas for UAE Residents

Some countries offer free of cost on-arrival visas. For instance:
Seychelles DOES NOT charge a fee for a visa and lets UAE residents stay there for up to 90 days.
The Government of Mauritius offers a free of cost on-arrival visa to a person, which can stay there for 60 days.

Tips for Hassle Free Experience with On-Arrival Visa

In order to avoid any inconvenience while applying for the on-arrival visa, here are some tips:

Carrying some cash: Though cards are accepted, one should carry a stash of hard cash for visa fees.
Plan to carry all your documents handy: You can carry it in your carry on luggage.
Carry extra time with you: Visa queues at arrival are often ridiculously long so make sure you plan for extra time while going through immigrations
Chech the latest rules before travel: Visa rules keep changing, so one must check the latest ones before traveling.

While an on-arrival visa is pretty convenient, it has some potential disadvantages:

Visa denial: If one does not qualify for the visa or does not have all the documents, his or her visa may be denied.
Long queues: Sometimes, the waiting time at the airport is quite a long affair, depending on the airport and peak times.
Limited extensions: It is somehow tricky to extend a period on an on-arrival visa. Not all countries would make it easy to stay longer.

Alternatives to On-Arrival Visas

If you would wish not to avoid the prospect of long queues at the airport or hanging in suspense over an on-arrival visa, you may consider the following:

E-Visas : Some countries allow online application for a visa prior to visiting.
Pre-arranged Visas: This is via embassies, which will provide much security as you are sure of receiving the visa before your travel.

Conclusion

On-arrival visas make life much more convenient and flexible for UAE residents, especially when traveling. One needs to prepare well in advance of the trip and know what documents to carry and exactly the visa requirements at each destination. Whether off to the Maldives for a beach break or an adventure to Georgia, getting an on-arrival visa will only serve to make your journey much more simpler.

FAQs

Can UAE residents get an on-arrival visa for Turkey?

Yes, UAE residents can obtain an e-visa for Turkey but it is advisable to organize this online ahead of travel instead of relying on the on-arrival visa.

Is an on-arrival visa available in all airports?

No, some countries may only issue on-arrival visas only in their international airports.

How much does an on-arrival visa cost?

The cost of an on-arrival visa differs with a country which may even cost you from $25-$100 depending on your destination and period of stay.

Can an on-arrival visa be extended?

For some, yes: some countries permit extension of on-arrival visas. Inquire with local authorities if upon arrival.

Do citizens of the GCC have special visa deals?

Yes. Lenient visa procedures, and often an option for obtaining a visa upon arrival, are often part of the deal for many citizens of the states within the GCC, such as Oman and Bahrain.