Middle East Visa Guides

Egypt has a way of making history feel close enough to tap—pyramids rising through the city haze, the Nile drifting past at golden hour, and Red Sea reefs so bright your camera gives up trying to be subtle. If you’re flying from the UAE, the trip itself is easy. The smooth part comes when your visa plan is as tidy as your packing cube. A little prep now means more time for markets, museums, and that first gasp when Giza appears in the distance. Do you need a visa? Start with your passport, not your residence card. If you hold an Emirati passport, you can usually enter Egypt without a visa for short visits. If you’re an expatriate living in the UAE, you’ll likely need permission in one of three forms: visa on arrival, an eVisa arranged online, or a consulate-issued visa collected in the...

Qatar is close enough for a spontaneous weekend and rich enough in experiences to fill a full-blown holiday. Think skyline views, spotless museums, long corniche walks, and food that keeps pulling you back for “just one more bite.” If you’re based in the UAE, getting there is the easy part. The smoother trip happens when your visa plan is as organized as your hand luggage—simple, tidy, and ready to go. Do you need a visa? Start with your passport, not your residency. If you’re an Emirati citizen, you enjoy visa-free entry for short visits. If you’re an expatriate resident, your path depends on nationality. Many passports qualify for visa on arrival; others can apply online for an eVisa; a few require approval in advance. The smart move is to check by nationality before you book anythin...

Bahrain is one of those easy wins from the UAE: short flight, smooth airport, and a city that mixes shiny new towers with old souqs and waterfront strolls. It’s close enough for a spontaneous weekend but interesting enough to stretch into a longer break. If you plan your visa with the same care you pack your hand luggage—light, tidy, and complete—you’ll swap airport stress for that first Bahraini coffee in no time. Do you need a visa? Start with your passport, not your residency. If you’re an Emirati citizen, you can enter Bahrain without a visa for short stays. If you’re an expatriate living in the UAE, your path depends on nationality. Many passports qualify for visa on arrival; others can apply online for an eVisa; frequent visitors often prefer multiple-entry options. The smart mov...

Morocco has a way of stealing your attention before you even land—lanes of blue in Chefchaouen, spice-scented souqs in Marrakech, Atlantic sunsets that feel hand-painted. From the UAE, it’s close enough to be practical and far enough to feel like a true escape. The only thing between you and that first mint tea is a tidy visa plan. Treat it like packing your carry-on: neat, complete, and easy to show in seconds. Do you need a visa? Start with your passport, not your residency. If you hold an Emirati passport, you can usually enter visa-free for short stays. If you’re an expatriate living in the UAE, you’ll likely need a visit visa in advance. The golden rule is simple: check by nationality, then plan the rest. Two minutes confirming your category beats two weeks reshuffling bookings. ...

Turkey has a way of pulling you in—call to prayer drifting over the Bosphorus, bazaars stacked with color, beaches that make you forget what day it is. From the UAE, it’s close, affordable, and packed with variety. The only thing you need before the baklava is a clean visa plan. Keep it simple, keep it organized, and the process feels more like checking off a packing list than running a marathon. Do you need a visa? Start with your passport, not your residency. If you’re an Emirati citizen, you can visit visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day window. If you’re an expatriate living in Dubai or another emirate, you’ll likely need a visa unless your passport qualifies for visa-free entry or the Turkey eVisa. The quickest sanity check is to confirm by nationality, then by residency. ...