New Visa-Free Travel Destinations for UAE & KSA Residents in 2025

Travel in 2025 is becoming more exciting — especially for UAE and Saudi Arabia residents. With new visa-free and visa-on-arrival agreements coming into effect, spontaneous weekend getaways and budget-friendly travel plans are now more realistic than ever.

Whether you’re a citizen or an expat holding a residence visa, here’s your updated guide to new and notable visa-free destinations opening up this year.

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Major New Update for 2025

Armenia Opens Visa-Free Entry for UAE Residents — Starting July 1, 2025

• Previously accessible mainly to UAE citizens, Armenia will now allow visa-free entry to all UAE residents, including expats.
• Valid for tourism and short stays (up to 30–90 days).
• Perfect for nature, mountains, cafés, and budget-friendly European vibes without the Schengen hassle.

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Best Visa-Free or Visa-on-Arrival Destinations for UAE Residents in 2025

Destination	Entry Type	Best For
Georgia	Visa-on-Arrival	Nature, city breaks, digital nomads
Serbia	Visa-Free	Affordable Europe-style getaway
Maldives	Visa-on-Arrival	Luxury / romantic escapes
Indonesia	Visa-on-Arrival	Bali, beaches & culture
Malaysia	Visa-Free	Food, shopping, theme parks

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Visa-Free & Relaxed Entry Destinations for Saudi Citizens in 2025

Destination	Entry Type	Notes
Georgia	Visa-Free	Popular for Saudi families
Turkey	eVisa / Visa-on-Arrival	Quick approval
Malaysia / Indonesia	Visa-Free	Southeast Asian favorites
Egypt / Morocco	Visa-Free	Rich culture & history
UAE / Bahrain / Oman / Qatar	GCC Seamless Entry	No visa needed

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Big Development to Watch: Saudi Arabia in Talks for Schengen Visa Exemption

There are active discussions between Saudi authorities and the European Union to allow visa-free entry for Saudi nationals into the Schengen Zone (Europe) — a move that could dramatically reshape travel plans for 2025–2026.

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For Saudi & UAE Expat Residents (Iqama / Residence Visa Holders)

If you’re an expat living in UAE or KSA, your passport nationality may still limit access — but many countries accept residence visas as supporting documents.

Some destinations that often provide easier entry for expat residents:

Country	Eligibility	Entry Type
Georgia	UAE / KSA Residence Visa Holders	Visa-Free
Tunisia	Certain passport + residence combo	Visa-Free
Armenia (from July 2025)	UAE Residents	Visa-Free
Bahrain / Oman / Kuwait	GCC Residents	Visa-on-Arrival

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Travel Smart — Before You Book

✔️ Check your passport requirements separately from residence visa rules
✔️ Carry a printed Emirates ID / Iqama when traveling
✔️ Some countries require return ticket or hotel booking
✔️ Check health or vaccination requirements when applicable

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Final Thoughts

2025 is shaping up to be a great year for Gulf-based travelers. With Armenia now opening doors, Saudi citizens potentially gaining European visa freedom, and existing hot spots like Georgia, Serbia, and Maldives remaining open, there’s no excuse to stay home.

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