Armenia has quietly become the newest long-weekend hotspot for the UAE’s multinational workforce. On 12 February 2026 Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed a broad “temporary visa exemption” that allows holders of valid UAE residence permits from 113 nationalities – including large expatriate communities such as Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos and Egyptians – to enter Armenia without applying for a visa until 1 July 2026. The programme, first revealed by UAE daily Khaleej Times, extends a smaller 2025 pilot and is explicitly aimed at leveraging the Emirates’ role as a global labour hub. (khaleejtimes.com)
Under the measure, the UAE residence permit itself acts as proof of good standing: travellers simply present the physical card or visa sticker on arrival, provided it has at least six months’ validity. They may remain in Armenia for up to 180 days per year – far longer than a typical tourist stamp – creating a genuine medium-term option for remote workers and repeat business travellers who shuttle between the Gulf and the Caucasus.
For mobility managers the news is significant on several fronts. First, it slashes lead time: employees and their families can now organise spur-of-the-moment travel for client meetings, site visits or “workation” stays without consular paperwork. Second, it reduces cost: Armenia’s standard e-visa carries a US $7–35 fee plus agent charges, all of which disappear under the waiver. Third, it offers a precedent that other destination markets courting Gulf-based talent may replicate.
![Armenia grants temporary visa-free access to UAE residents from 113 countries]()
HR teams should update travel approval workflows to reflect the new entry channel and ensure staff carry both passport and UAE residence proof. Armenian authorities stress that overstays beyond the generous 180-day quota will attract fines and possible re-entry bans, so monitoring cumulative days is vital. Airlines report strong demand on existing flydubai, Air Arabia and Wizz Air services, and seat availability could tighten over upcoming Ramadan and Eid holidays.
VisaHQ, the global visa and passport facilitation platform, can ease this transition: through its UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) travellers can confirm their eligibility for the Armenian waiver, receive expiry reminders ahead of 1 July 2026, and arrange any additional visas they might need for onward trips to Georgia, Turkey or beyond—streamlining planning for individuals and corporate mobility teams alike.
At policy level the decision underscores how third countries increasingly recognise the Emirates’ residency vetting as a de-facto “trusted traveller” credential. For UAE-based companies, the move enhances regional connectivity and supports weekend leisure or near-shore assignment models without adding compliance burden.
Under the measure, the UAE residence permit itself acts as proof of good standing: travellers simply present the physical card or visa sticker on arrival, provided it has at least six months’ validity. They may remain in Armenia for up to 180 days per year – far longer than a typical tourist stamp – creating a genuine medium-term option for remote workers and repeat business travellers who shuttle between the Gulf and the Caucasus.
For mobility managers the news is significant on several fronts. First, it slashes lead time: employees and their families can now organise spur-of-the-moment travel for client meetings, site visits or “workation” stays without consular paperwork. Second, it reduces cost: Armenia’s standard e-visa carries a US $7–35 fee plus agent charges, all of which disappear under the waiver. Third, it offers a precedent that other destination markets courting Gulf-based talent may replicate.
HR teams should update travel approval workflows to reflect the new entry channel and ensure staff carry both passport and UAE residence proof. Armenian authorities stress that overstays beyond the generous 180-day quota will attract fines and possible re-entry bans, so monitoring cumulative days is vital. Airlines report strong demand on existing flydubai, Air Arabia and Wizz Air services, and seat availability could tighten over upcoming Ramadan and Eid holidays.
VisaHQ, the global visa and passport facilitation platform, can ease this transition: through its UAE portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) travellers can confirm their eligibility for the Armenian waiver, receive expiry reminders ahead of 1 July 2026, and arrange any additional visas they might need for onward trips to Georgia, Turkey or beyond—streamlining planning for individuals and corporate mobility teams alike.
At policy level the decision underscores how third countries increasingly recognise the Emirates’ residency vetting as a de-facto “trusted traveller” credential. For UAE-based companies, the move enhances regional connectivity and supports weekend leisure or near-shore assignment models without adding compliance burden.
