The Geghard Monastery in Armenia. ARCHIVE

UAE residents will soon be able to travel to Armenia without the need for a visa starting July 1. The visa-free entry applies to expatriates holding valid residency permits from the UAE or any of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman. Under the new policy, travelers can stay in Armenia for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for purposes including tourism, leisure, or business. The traveler’s residency visa must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. This is a significant expansion of Armenia’s previous visa policy, which only allowed visa-free access to UAE nationals. UAE residents were previously eligible for a visa on arrival. The change aligns the UAE with Armenia’s broader visa reform strategy, which already includes countries in the EU, the Schengen Area, and the United States. The Armenian Tourism Committee confirmed the update on Wednesday (June 11), stating that the move “broadens the accessibility for a substantial segment of the GCC expatriate communities.” The decision, finalized in an Armenian cabinet meeting last month, is part of a national initiative to enhance tourism and foreign investment. Armenia is becoming increasingly popular among UAE-based travelers, offering a mix of ancient monasteries, vibrant city life in Yerevan, and natural attractions like Lake Sevan and Dilijan National Park. With airlines like flydubai, Air Arabia, and Wizz Air operating direct flights to Armenia, and now visa-free access for UAE residents, the country is expected to attract even more visitors from the Gulf region. ICA/Expat Media
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