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Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Al Etihad
Eid Al Adha holiday: 6 countries UAE residents can explore without visa hassles
1 June 2025 18:03 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)With Eid Al Adha just a couple of days away, planning an overseas holiday at this point may seem almost impossible - but if no visa procedures are required, enjoying the long weekend outside the country can be as easy as booking the next countries offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival options for holders of a UAE residency visa, allowing for hassle-free travel. ALSO READ: Eid holiday announced for public and private sectors Here are some top choices for an unforgettable Eid getaway. 1. Azerbaijan UAE residents can take advantage of Azerbaijan's visa-on-arrival option, making it an easy pick for a short holiday. The country's capital, Baku, is a blend of modern architecture and rich history. Azerbaijan is only a short flight away, with a journey time of approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes. 2. Georgia Georgia offers visa-free entry for UAE residents for up to 90 days. The country is known for its dramatic landscapes, charming towns, and rich the capital, boasts cobblestone streets, hot springs, and ancient churches. The flight to Georgia is just about 3 hours and 30 minutes, making it an accessible option for travellers from the UAE. 3. Indonesia Indonesia, a tropical paradise, offers visa on arrival for up to 30 days for nationals from eligible countries as per the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration. This archipelago, an eight-hour flight away, is home to beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and lush landscapes. 4. Malaysia Malaysia provides visa-free entry for up to 90 days for UAE residents, offering a diverse experience that blends modern cities with lush nature. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital, is home to the iconic Petronas Towers and a thriving shopping and food an archipelago of stunning islands, offers pristine beaches. 5. Maldives For those seeking a luxurious and relaxing Eid getaway, the Maldives offers visa on arrival for a stay of up to 30 for its overwater bungalows, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs, the Maldives is the ultimate destination for a beach Maldives offers the perfect mix of relaxation and natural beauty. With a flight time of around four hours, it's an accessible and dreamlike destination for UAE residents. 6. Seychelles Seychelles, a tropical paradise, offers visa-free entry for up to 30 archipelago is famous for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and diverse wildlife. With a flight time of around four hours, Seychelles is a perfect destination for a relaxing Eid holiday. (Source: Original article)
Gulf Insider
13-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
UAE visa-free travel for Eid Al Fitr 2025
UAE residents are already looking ahead to Eid Al Fitr holidays and planning vacations. Depending on moon-sighting confirmation, workers in the city will look forward to a four or five-day break including weekend. Using a small amount of annual leave can transform this public and private sector holiday into a nine-day break with strategic vacation planning. With travel experts reporting that the price of flights and hotels surging by as much as 15 to 30 per cent over the holiday, residents need to plan travel in advance. One factor to be considered is visa availability and requirements. Visa experts VFS Global have advised travellers to apply 'well in advance' for busy travel periods. Taking this into account, consider these travel destinations where UAE residents can take a holiday without needing a visa: Uzbekistan: A number of airlines fly from the UAE to Uzbekistan and, as well as being a business route, tourists are increasingly exploring the option. UAE citizens don't need a visa for Uzbekistan, since the two countries signed a mutual waiver last year. Residents can stay for up-to 30 days. Azerbaijan: A developing tourism scene and home to capital city Baku, the land-locked country attracts visitors seeking a combination of culture and nature. UAE residents can obtain a visa-on-arrival for 30-day stays. Trips of more than 15 days need to be registered with Azerbaijan's State Migration Service. Georgia: UAE residents can visit Georgia without a visa for a period of 90 days so long as they have a valid residency. As well as needing to show proof of a UAE residency, visitors need to show proof of accommodation and also have travel and health insurance. UAE citizens can stay in Georgia for a full year without a visa. Indonesia: Residents of the UAE are offered visa on arrival when visiting Indonesia after a landmark arrangement with VFS Global late last year. The Directorate General of Immigration under the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Indonesia has appointed VFS Global as the exclusive private service provider for Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA). It represents Indonesia's aim to promote inbound tourism and increase investments into the country. VFS Global's new e-VoA platform is available to residents of the UAE who are for nationals of the 97 countries eligible for e-VoA. Kenya: Kenya announced it would provide visa-free travel to all tourists from the beginning of 2024. The move is seen as a bid to boost trade and tourism in the East African nation and it is a popular destination for safaris as well as beach holidays. Although there is no visa requirement, a semi-automated Electronic Travel Authorisation is needed and should be applied for as early as possible (between three months and three days is recommended). Maldives: The idyllic archipelago nation grants visa-on-arrival for all nationalities with limited requirements. A complete travel itinerary with proof of accommodation and funds must be provided and a submitted traveller declaration must be submitted on arrival. Nepal: Himalayan adventures without a mountain of paperwork can be enjoyed as Nepal does not require visitors to apply for a visa in advance. On arrival visas for between 15 and 90 days can be obtained for most nationalities. Seychelles: Visitors from any country (apart from Kosovo) can visit the Seychelles without needing a visa. Arrive with a valid passport, return ticket, confirmed accommodation and demonstrable funds for the duration of stay for immigration procedures to be approved and an island holiday to begin. Also read: UAE: Public Spaces in Dubai Set for Artistic Makeover
Arabian Business
12-03-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE visa-free travel for Eid Al Fitr 2025
UAE residents are already looking ahead to Eid Al Fitr holidays and planning vacations. Depending on moon-sighting confirmation, workers in the city will look forward to a four or five-day break including weekend. Using a small amount of annual leave can transform this public and private sector holiday into a nine-day break with strategic vacation planning. With travel experts reporting that the price of flights and hotels surging by as much as 15 to 30 per cent over the holiday, residents need to plan travel in advance. UAE Eid Al Fitr visa-free travel One factor to be considered is visa availability and requirements. Visa experts VFS Global have advised travellers to apply 'well in advance' for busy travel periods. Taking this into account, consider these travel destinations where UAE residents can take a holiday without needing a visa: Azerbaijan: A developing tourism scene and home to capital city Baku, the land-locked country attracts visitors seeking a combination of culture and nature. UAE residents can obtain a visa-on-arrival for 30-day stays. Trips of more than 15 days need to be registered with Azerbaijan's State Migration Service. Georgia: UAE residents can visit Georgia without a visa for a period of 90 days so long as they have a valid residency. As well as needing to show proof of a UAE residency, visitors need to show proof of accommodation and also have travel and health insurance. UAE citizens can stay in Georgia for a full year without a visa. Indonesia: Residents of the UAE are offered visa on arrival when visiting Indonesia after a landmark arrangement with VFS Global late last year. The Directorate General of Immigration under the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Indonesia has appointed VFS Global as the exclusive private service provider for Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA). It represents Indonesia's aim to promote inbound tourism and increase investments into the country. VFS Global's new e-VoA platform is available to residents of the UAE who are for nationals of the 97 countries eligible for e-VoA. Kenya: Kenya announced it would provide visa-free travel to all tourists from the beginning of 2024. The move is seen as a bid to boost trade and tourism in the East African nation and it is a popular destination for safaris as well as beach holidays. Although there is no visa requirement, a semi-automated Electronic Travel Authorisation is needed and should be applied for as early as possible (between three months and three days is recommended). Maldives: The idyllic archipelago nation grants visa-on-arrival for all nationalities with limited requirements. A complete travel itinerary with proof of accommodation and funds must be provided and a submitted traveller declaration must be submitted on arrival. Nepal: Himalayan adventures without a mountain of paperwork can be enjoyed as Nepal does not require visitors to apply for a visa in advance. On arrival visas for between 15 and 90 days can be obtained for most nationalities. Seychelles: Visitors from any country (apart from Kosovo) can visit the Seychelles without needing a visa. Arrive with a valid passport, return ticket, confirmed accommodation and demonstrable funds for the duration of stay for immigration procedures to be approved and an island holiday to begin. Uzbekistan: A number of airlines fly from the UAE to Uzbekistan and, as well as being a business route, tourists are increasingly exploring the option. UAE citizens don't need a visa for Uzbekistan, since the two countries signed a mutual waiver last year. Residents can stay for up-to 30 days.
The Independent
06-03-2025
- The Independent
Indonesian AI passport gates block man after mistaking him for David Bowie T-shirt
A British visitor just arrived on the Indonesian island of Bali was repeatedly blocked from using the automatic passport gates – because the AI system used to match the holder's face with their photograph was fixated on a different image. Terry Bezant, a lawyer from Milton Keynes, felt under pressure as he repeatedly failed to clear the 'autogates' at Denpasar airport in Bali. 'I tried five times to get through the barrier, using three different gates,' he told The Independent. 'But the Indonesian AI systems would not budge. The screen consistently told me to consult an official – but there were none to be seen.' The autogates were installed in March 2024 at the main entry point for Bali. The Indonesian island receives over six million foreigners a year. Mr Bezant's wife, Deborah, passed smoothly through the automated barriers and waited for her husband. 'As I was on the very verge of breakdown, Deborah brilliantly identified the problem,' he said. 'The dumb machine was trying to match my passport photo to the image of a young David Bowie emblazoned on my T-shirt. 'Surprisingly there seemed to be little overlap.' Using AI, The Independent has dated the David Bowie image to 1969 – when the star was 22. Mr Bezant is 74. In a conservative, Muslim-majority nation, the weary passenger could not remove the T-shirt in order to persuade the machine to do its job properly. 'Remedial action was taken by my donning a thick fleece in the 31C heat,' Mr Bezant reports. 'On we stumbled to Arrivals.' Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration maintains a 'cease and desist' register, with facial recognition used to identify travellers of interest. It is not believed that either Mr Bezant or the late Mr Bowie has appeared on the register. The couple faced no further problems and are enjoying their planned island holiday. The couple will return ahead of Balinese New Year on 29 March, when the island – including its airport – effectively shuts down. The Australian government warns travellers: 'Be aware of the day of silence observed from 6am on 29 March to 6am on 30 March. 'You'll be required to stay indoors, turn off lights, and keep noise to a minimum. Shops, restaurants and tourist sites will be closed although hotels will continue to operate. Movement or travel, physical work, and all forms of entertainment and recreation is prohibited.' Mr and Mrs Bezant hope to be safely back in Milton Keynes by then.
