Starting July 1, UAE residents will be able to travel to Armenia without a visa, provided their residency visa is valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
As reported by Khaleej Times, this marks a shift from the previous policy where only UAE citizens enjoyed visa-free access, while residents had to obtain a visa on arrival.
Expanded eligibility across GCC
The new visa-free policy allows travel for tourism, business, or leisure for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It applies to all passport holders with valid residency permits from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar.
In a statement, Armenia’s Tourism Committee said the decision “broadens the accessibility for a substantial segment of the GCC expatriate communities.”
Wider visa-free policy
The change is part of Armenia’s broader strategy to welcome travellers holding residency permits from the GCC, European Union, Schengen Area, or United States. The decision was approved at a cabinet meeting last month.
Officials expect the move to strengthen economic and tourism links between Armenia and the GCC.
Direct flights between the UAE and Armenia are available via carriers like flydubai, Air Arabia, and Wizz Air, with flight times averaging around three hours.
Armenia has previously waived visa requirements for nationals of the UAE (2017), Qatar (2019), and Kuwait (2022).
