Chapter 01
Where a UAE or Saudi residence permit helps Pakistanis (October 2026)
| Destination | What a UAE/Saudi residence permit gives a Pakistani | Residence validity needed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia | Visa-free, up to 180 days a year (1 Jul 2026 – 1 Jul 2027) | 6+ months from entry | Armenia MFA |
| Georgia | Visa-free, 90 days in any 180 | Multiple-entry and 1+ year left | Georgia MIA |
| Azerbaijan | Airport visa through ASAN, up to 30 days | More than 6 months | Azerbaijan MFA |
| Bahrain | GCC Residents Visit eVisa, BHD 29, 3 months multiple entry | 3+ months | Bahrain.bh |
| Saudi Arabia (for UAE residents) | Tourist e-visa for GCC residents | 3+ months (see note) | Visit Saudi |
| Qatar | GCC Resident visa (Hayya A2) | Not stated | Visit Qatar |
| Türkiye | No benefit. The e-visa needs a Schengen, US, UK or Ireland visa or residence permit | n/a | Turkish Embassy Islamabad |
| Thailand, Singapore, UK, USA, Schengen | No visa exemption, but you can apply from the UAE or Saudi Arabia | Varies | See sections below |
Chapter 02
Can Pakistanis living in the UAE or Saudi Arabia visit Armenia visa-free?
Yes. Pakistani nationals who hold a residence permit of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain or Oman (or of the US, EU or Schengen area) can enter Armenia without a visa from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027, for up to 180 days in one year, according to the Armenian Foreign Ministry's list dated 30 June 2026. Pakistan is number 79 on that list.
Conditions set by the Armenian MFA:
- the residence permit must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry;
- it must be a physical card or a sticker in your passport;
- it must show, in Latin script, the document title, your name, nationality, date of birth and validity dates.
This is a temporary exemption that ends on 1 July 2027 unless Armenia extends it. If your Emirates ID or iqama is only digital or is printed in Arabic only, check before you book.
Chapter 03
Can Pakistani UAE or Saudi residents enter Georgia without a visa?
Yes, but the rule for Pakistanis is stricter than for most nationalities. Georgia lets holders of a valid visa or residence permit of listed countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, enter visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period (Government Ordinance No. 256).
Since an amendment of 17 April 2025, nationals of 17 countries, including Pakistan, qualify only if, on the day they cross the border, their Gulf residence permit is:
- multiple-entry, and
- valid for at least one more year.
This was announced by Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs on 24 April 2025. If your permit has less than a year left, the Georgian Embassy in the UAE says to apply for a C1 tourist visa by registering at geoconsul.gov.ge. Khaleej Times reported in 2025 that Pakistani UAE residents who did not meet the one-year rule were turned away at Kutaisi airport.
Chapter 04
Can Pakistanis with a UAE or Saudi residence get an Azerbaijan visa on arrival?
Yes. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry says foreigners holding a UAE resident visa valid for more than 6 months, or a residence permit of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar or Kuwait valid for more than 6 months, can get an airport visa through the ASAN system for up to 30 days. The MFA page does not exclude Pakistani nationals.
Pakistanis without Gulf residence apply for the ASAN e-visa at evisa.gov.az before travel. Beware lookalike sites; see our fake visa websites guide and our Azerbaijan visa guide.
Chapter 05
Does a UAE or Saudi residence permit help with a Turkish e-visa?
No. Türkiye's conditional e-visa for Pakistani ordinary passport holders is available only to those holding a valid visa or residence permit from a Schengen country, the USA, the UK or Ireland, according to the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad. UAE and Saudi residence permits are not on that list.
Pakistanis living in the UAE or Saudi Arabia without one of those visas need a sticker visa from the Turkish mission covering their emirate or city. Ask the mission for its current document list and fee before you book; the fee schedules we found online for Gulf missions were undated. See our Türkiye visa guide.
Chapter 06
Visas for Gulf neighbours: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar for GCC residents
Saudi Arabia (for Pakistanis living in the UAE or another GCC country). Saudi Arabia offers a tourist e-visa to GCC residents. Visit Saudi describes eligibility for residents of GCC countries and for holders of valid US, UK or Schengen visas. Sources we checked describe a residence permit valid for at least 3 months and a passport valid for 6 months; whether an occupation list still applies is reported differently. Pakistanis living in Pakistan do not appear on the standard Saudi tourist e-visa country list; see our Saudi Arabia visit visa guide.
Bahrain. The official GCC Residents Visit eVisa costs BHD 29 for a 3-month multiple-entry visa, processed in 3–5 working days. Bahrain asks for:
- a GCC residence permit valid for at least 3 more months;
- a return ticket and hotel booking;
- a 3-month bank statement showing BHD 300–500 a month or BHD 150 per day.
Qatar. Visit Qatar lists a GCC Resident visa (Hayya A2) for residents of Gulf countries. Apply through the Hayya platform and check the conditions there.
Kuwait and Oman. Both have visas for GCC residents, but we could not confirm the current rules for Pakistani nationals on an official page. Check with the Kuwaiti or Omani mission in your country of residence.
GCC unified tourist visa. As of 13 October 2026, we found no official confirmation that the planned single GCC tourist visa has launched.
Chapter 07
How do Pakistanis in the UAE or Saudi Arabia apply for a Thailand visa?
Pakistanis living in the UAE apply online at thaievisa.go.th, choosing the Thai mission in the UAE. Since 1 January 2025, every foreign national in the UAE who needs a Thai visa must apply through the e-Visa portal, and in-person submission at the Abu Dhabi embassy ended on 24 December 2024 (Royal Thai Embassy Abu Dhabi). The Thai Consulate-General in Dubai says you must be physically in the UAE and show a UAE residence visa or Emirates ID; it covers Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Pakistan has no visa exemption or visa on arrival for Thailand, so Gulf residence does not change the need for a visa. Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia should check the Royal Thai Embassy in Riyadh's instructions on thaievisa.go.th. See our Thailand visa guide.
Chapter 08
How do Pakistanis in the UAE or Saudi Arabia apply for a Singapore visa?
Pakistani nationals need a visa for Singapore, and in the Gulf they apply through an authorised agent, not at the embassy counter:
- Riyadh: no walk-in applications since 1 April 2013. Apply through VFS Global, the only listed agent. Government fee SAR 80, non-refundable, plus the agent's fee (Singapore Embassy Riyadh, updated 21 April 2026).
- Jeddah: no walk-in applications; apply through VFS (Singapore Consulate Jeddah).
- UAE: the Singapore missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai direct applicants to their authorised visa agent. A local contact in Singapore can also apply for you online.
See our Singapore visa guide.
Chapter 09
Can Pakistanis in the UAE or Saudi Arabia apply for UK, US or Schengen visas there?
Yes, in most cases you apply where you legally live:
- USA: since 6 September 2025, the US State Department asks nonimmigrant visa applicants to book their interview in their country of nationality or residence (travel.state.gov). A Pakistani resident in the UAE can apply at the US Embassy Abu Dhabi or Consulate Dubai; in Saudi Arabia at Riyadh, Jeddah or Dhahran. Fees are not refunded if you apply at the wrong post. See US visit visa guide.
- Schengen: under Article 6 of the EU Visa Code, you apply to the consulate responsible for the place where you legally reside. A Pakistani with UAE residence applies in the UAE, not in Pakistan. See Schengen visa guide.
- UK: you apply online and attend a visa application centre, which can be in another country. The Standard Visitor visa costs GBP 135 (≈ PKR 49,400) for 6 months, from 8 April 2026. See UK visit visa guide.
Officers usually expect your documents to come from where you live: UAE or Saudi bank statements, an employer letter from your Gulf employer, and your residence permit, plus your Pakistani ties if relevant.
Chapter 10
Checklist for Pakistani residents of the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Before you apply for any visit visa from the Gulf, check:
- Residence validity left. Many rules depend on it: 3 months (Bahrain, Saudi e-visa for GCC residents), more than 6 months (Armenia, Azerbaijan), 1 year and multiple-entry (Georgia).
- Passport validity. Renew early if it is close to expiry.
- Saudi iqama holders: exit and re-entry visa. You need a valid exit/re-entry visa from your employer through Absher before you leave Saudi Arabia, and your iqama must stay valid. Check the fee and validity on Absher.
- Employer letter (NOC) stating your position, salary and approved leave.
- Gulf bank statement for the last 3–6 months, matching your salary.
- Emirates ID or iqama copy, front and back.
- NICOP if you also travel to Pakistan; check it is valid.
- Return ticket to your Gulf country of residence, not to Pakistan, unless that is your real plan.
Chapter 11
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistanis with a UAE residence visa go to Georgia without a visa?
Yes, but only if the UAE residence permit is multiple-entry and has at least one year of validity left on the day you enter Georgia. Georgia added this stricter rule for Pakistani nationals in April 2025. With less than a year left, apply for a Georgian C1 tourist visa instead.
Do Pakistani UAE or Saudi residents need a visa for Armenia?
No, not between 1 July 2026 and 1 July 2027. Armenia's Foreign Ministry lists Pakistan among the nationalities exempt from a visa for up to 180 days a year if they hold a UAE, Saudi or other GCC residence permit valid for at least 6 months from entry.
Can a Pakistani with a UAE residence visa get a visa on arrival in Azerbaijan?
Yes. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry says holders of a UAE resident visa valid for more than 6 months, or a residence permit of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar or Kuwait valid for more than 6 months, can get an airport visa for up to 30 days through ASAN.
Can Pakistanis living in the UAE get a Turkish e-visa?
No, not on the basis of UAE or Saudi residence. Türkiye's conditional e-visa for Pakistanis needs a valid Schengen, US, UK or Ireland visa or residence permit. Otherwise you need a sticker visa from a Turkish mission.
Can a Pakistani iqama holder get a Saudi-style visa for other Gulf countries?
Several Gulf states have visas for GCC residents. Bahrain's official GCC Residents Visit eVisa costs BHD 29 for 3 months, multiple entry, if your residence permit has at least 3 months left. Qatar offers a GCC Resident visa through Hayya.
How do Pakistanis in the UAE apply for a Thailand visa?
Online at thaievisa.go.th. Since 1 January 2025 the Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai accept applications only through the e-Visa portal, and you must be in the UAE with a valid UAE residence visa or Emirates ID.
How do Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia apply for a Singapore visa?
Through VFS Global. The Singapore Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah do not take walk-in applications. The Riyadh embassy lists a non-refundable government fee of SAR 80 plus the agent's fee.
Can a Pakistani living in Dubai apply for a US visa there?
Yes, if you are a resident. Since 6 September 2025 the US State Department asks nonimmigrant visa applicants to apply in their country of nationality or of residence, so a Pakistani resident in the UAE can book at the US Embassy Abu Dhabi or Consulate Dubai.
Can I apply for a UK visit visa from Dubai or Riyadh?
Yes. GOV.UK says you apply online and attend a visa application centre, which can be in another country. The Standard Visitor visa fee is GBP 135 for 6 months from 8 April 2026.
Chapter 12
How Visit Visa Specialists helps
We prepare visit-visa files for Pakistanis living in the UAE and Saudi Arabia: we check which route your residence permit opens, read your permit's validity against each country's rule, and build a file from your Gulf documents. You deal with us by WhatsApp; documents can be shared securely online. Service fee: Quote on WhatsApp, shown separately from the official fee. The decision always belongs to the destination's authorities.
Every fact, checkedSources+
- Georgia Government Ordinance No. 256 (2015, amended by No. 122 of 17 Apr 2025): visa-free entry for holders of listed countries' visas or residence permits, incl. UAE and Saudi Arabia (matsne.gov.ge, checked 13 October 2026)
- Georgia Ministry of Internal Affairs, 24 Apr 2025: for nationals of 17 countries incl. Pakistan, the permit must be multiple-entry with at least 1 year validity (mia.police.ge, checked 13 October 2026)
- Embassy of Georgia in the UAE: residence-permit rule; C1 visa via geoconsul.gov.ge if under 1 year validity (uae.mfa.gov.ge, checked 13 October 2026)
- Armenia MFA (30 Jun 2026): temporary visa exemption 1 Jul 2026-1 Jul 2027 for listed nationals (Pakistan No. 79) holding US/EU/Schengen/GCC residence permits valid 6+ months (mfa.am, checked 13 October 2026)
- Azerbaijan MFA: airport visa (up to 30 days) for holders of UAE resident visa or Saudi/Oman/Bahrain/Qatar/Kuwait residence permit valid more than 6 months (mfa.gov.az, checked 13 October 2026)
- Turkish Embassy Islamabad: Visa regime for Pakistani nationals; conditional e-visa only with Schengen, US, UK or Ireland visa/residence permit (7 May 2022) (islamabad-emb.mfa.gov.tr, checked 13 October 2026)
- Visit Saudi: tourist e-visa for GCC residents and for holders of US/UK/Schengen visas (visitsaudi.com, checked 13 October 2026)
- Bahrain.bh: GCC Residents Visit eVisa, BHD 29, 3 months multiple entry, residence valid 3+ months, funds evidence (bahrain.bh, checked 13 October 2026)
- Visit Qatar: GCC Resident visa (Hayya A2) and visa options by nationality (visitqatar.com, checked 13 October 2026)
- Royal Thai Embassy Abu Dhabi (9 Dec 2024): Thai e-Visa for UAE residents from 1 Jan 2025; in-person submission ended 24 Dec 2024 (abudhabi.thaiembassy.org, checked 13 October 2026)
- Royal Thai Consulate-General Dubai (6 Jan 2025): must be in UAE with UAE residence visa or Emirates ID (dubai.thaiembassy.org, checked 13 October 2026)
- Singapore Embassy Riyadh (updated 21 Apr 2026): applications via VFS Global; government fee SAR 80 (riyadh.mfa.gov.sg, checked 13 October 2026)
- Singapore Consulate Jeddah: no walk-in applications; apply through VFS (jeddah.mfa.gov.sg, checked 13 October 2026)
- Singapore Consulate-General Dubai: visa applications through authorised agent (dubai.mfa.gov.sg, checked 13 October 2026)
- US State Department: NIV applicants to apply in country of nationality or residence (from 6 Sep 2025; updated 12 Dec 2025) (travel.state.gov, checked 13 October 2026)
- EU Visa Code (Reg. 810/2009) Art. 6: apply at the consulate competent for your place of legal residence (eur-lex.europa.eu, checked 13 October 2026)
- GOV.UK: Standard Visitor visa GBP 135; visa application centre can be in another country (gov.uk, checked 13 October 2026)
We are an independent private agency, not affiliated with any government. Visa decisions are made solely by the relevant authority.
