Armenia extends visa exemption for UAE residents until July 2027

The Armenian authorities announced the extension of the temporary decision to exempt prior entry visas for qualified travelers from the Gulf countries for an additional year, so that the decision becomes effective until July 1, 2027.

This decision aims to facilitate travel procedures, tourism movement, and exchange between Armenia and the Gulf countries, allowing travelers to visit the country easily and without procedural complications throughout the coming period.

Under the decision, nationals of eligible countries who hold a valid residence permit issued by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the United States, a European Union country, or a Schengen area country are exempt from entry visas during the period extending from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027, provided that the residence permit is valid for a period of not less than six months from the date of entry into the country. Armenia.

Eligible travelers are allowed to stay in Armenia without a visa for up to 180 days within one year. The residence permit must also be presented, either in the form of a residence card or an official sticker affixed inside the passport. Those interested can view the full list of countries included in the decision via the link here.
Simpler procedures

Eligible travelers are allowed to stay in Armenia without a visa for up to 180 days within one year. The residence permit must also be presented, either in the form of a residence card or an official sticker affixed inside the passport.

The importance of this decision lies in the simplicity of the procedures; There is no need to wait in embassy lines, pay visa fees, or complete paperwork before departure. The decision also coincides with the summer travel season, as Armenia is of interest to travelers in the region due to its moderate climate, nature, historic towns, and ancient capital, in addition to its geographical proximity to the Gulf states.

Head of the Tourism Committee at the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, Lusine Gevorgyan, said: “By extending this decision, we confirm our continued openness to receive more visitors and enhance exchange between our peoples. We look forward to welcoming a greater number of guests from the Gulf countries to discover Armenia and the diverse experiences it has to offer.”

The Armenian authorities confirmed that entry conditions and eligibility to benefit from the visa exemption vary according to nationality and residence status, and advised travelers to review the website of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the latest instructions and see the complete list of countries covered by the visa exemption before booking travel.