DUBAI // Citizens of 13 European Union member states will soon be able to obtain visas on arrival in the UAE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday.
Under rules approved by the Cabinet, visitors from Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hungary, Latvia, Estonia, Malta, Cyprus, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria will no longer have to apply for visas from March 22.
The decision means citizens from all 28 EU member states can enter the UAE easily and follows the European Parliament's overwhelming vote last month to allow visa-free travel for Emiratis to the 26 Schengen Area countries.
Of the 577 members, 523 voted in favour of waiving visa requirements.
EU nationals and diplomats in the UAE welcomed the move.
Bulgarian Elka Peneva, who has been living in Dubai for six years, had been keenly following the discussions on visa exemptions over the past few months and was very happy with the decision.
“I have a big family and so far no one has come to visit except my brother and sister-in-law,” Ms Peneva said. “Now I can invite more of my family and friends and have one less thing to worry about when arranging their trips.”
The travel consultant said the hassle-free procedures would also be good for her business, in which she deals largely with travellers from her homeland.
“I think it is a big step forward, also considering there is now a direct flight between Dubai and Sofia,” Ms Peneva said.
“This will increase the number of Bulgarians visiting not only for tourism, but also for shopping, to attend sporting events or for trade exhibitions.
“Sometimes people decide to travel at the last minute and having to wait to obtain a visa can be a deterrent to some.”
The Bulgarian consulate hoped the step would be of benefit to Emiratis and Bulgarians equally.
“This is great news,” said Angel Kalinov, the consul general. “Lots of Bulgarians are coming to the UAE on tourism.
“It would benefit the traffic and the relationship between the two countries. It is possible it will facilitate businesses as well.”
Mr Kalinov said he was waiting for official notification from UAE authorities.
The move will also help the UAE’s tourism, officials said.
“This is a very positive announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and one that will have a significant impact on the attractiveness of Dubai as a destination for tourists from the 13 countries,” said Helal Almarri, director general of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.
“European countries have traditionally featured prominently in our top 20 source markets for visitors and the lifting of visa restrictions provides for easier travel arrangements from across the continent.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the state news agency Wam that all necessary measures had been taken by the Ministry of the Interior to introduce the measure at all border points.
It said it was confident the move would also promote tourism and encourage investment between the UAE and EU member states.
pkannan@thenational.ae
* Additional reporting by Vesela Todorova