UAE residents to get visa-free entry to Armenia from July 1

Armenia will offer visa-free entry to residents of the UAE starting July 1, Khaleej Times can confirm. Travellers’ residency visas must be valid for at least six months. Previously, only UAE nationals could travel visa-free to the landlocked country, while residents were eligible for a visa on arrival.

The new visa-free policy enables travel for tourism, leisure, or business purposes without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

This change is part of a broader initiative by the Armenian government to expand its visa-free policy to travellers holding residency permits — valid for at least six months — issued by countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the European Union (EU), the Schengen Area, or the United States. The GCC includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar.

The decision was made at an Armenian cabinet meeting last month and “is expected to boost tourism and investments,” state news agency Armenpress reported.

Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Armenia is a popular travel destination for UAE residents, particularly among expatriates. The country is just a three-hour flight from the UAE, with airlines like flydubai, Air Arabia, and Wizz Air operating direct flights.

Armenia boasts picturesque landscapes, UNESCO-listed monasteries, and a thriving culinary scene.