Summer holidays: UAE residents seeking fast-track visa processing destinations

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Far east and quick-approval spots offer relief as long waits disrupt summer travel plans

2024-08-02T11:14:00+05:00 Hammad Abdullah

UAE: With summer winding down, UAE residents face significant delays in obtaining visas for popular destinations, including a wait of over a year for US visas. To navigate these challenges, many are turning to countries with quicker visa processing times.

Many prefer to explore lesser-known destinations independently rather than relying on travel agencies. As visa processing times impact summer travel

Far east destinations - the new hotspots

Travel experts highlight a growing trend among UAE residents favoring Far East countries for their faster visa approvals:

  • South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam are increasingly popular due to their streamlined visa processes.
  • Japan remains a top choice, though visa applications now require processing through VFS starting August 1.

Quick visa options - what you need to know

Several countries offer expedited or arrival visa options for UAE residents:

  • Arrival visas: Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Albania, Montenegro, and Oman.
  • Visa on Arrival: Kazakhstan, Maldives, Mauritius, Thailand, Turkey, Seychelles, and Bosnia.

Visa approval timelines

  • Far eastern countries: Malaysia and Vietnam offer approvals in about 3 working days.
  • E-visas: Available for Cambodia, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam, Russia, Singapore, and Australia, with processing times from 3 to 10 working days.

European visa availability

While many European destinations face delays, a few remain accessible:

  • Balkan Countries: Popular but with extended visa processing times.
  • Turkey and the UK: Easier to obtain appointments and quicker processing.

Essential documents for visa applications

When applying for visas, UAE residents typically need:

  • Passport
  • Emirates ID
  • Recent photographs
  • Some countries may also require a bank statement

UAE residents are discovering faster alternatives and adapting their travel plans to ensure a memorable holiday.
 

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