Visa uncertainty is boosting interest in destinations offering visa-free access, visas on arrival or online applications.
Visa appointment backlogs and lengthy processing times are prompting UAE residents to reassess their winter holiday plans, with some delaying travel or replacing trips to Europe and the United States with destinations that have more straightforward entry requirements.
As the UAE National Day holiday and winter school break draw closer, travel agents say visa availability is playing an increasingly important role in destination choices. Some residents are now checking appointment schedules and processing timelines before making flight or hotel bookings.
While several European countries continue to face shortages of visa appointments, some applicants seeking US visas are encountering waits of almost a year for standard interview slots, according to travel agents.
Bharat Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels, said the trend is particularly evident among residents planning trips to Europe, where difficulties securing appointments are prompting some to consider other destinations.
“Traditionally, travellers would decide where they wanted to go first and then arrange the visa. Today, that approach is changing,” he said. “Many customers are checking visa appointment availability and processing timelines before even finalising their destination.”
Fazil Firoos, founder of Dubai-based Go Now Tourism, said visa delays are also affecting UAE residents planning to visit the United States, where some applicants are facing especially long waits.
“The United States is currently one of the most affected destinations in terms of visa appointment delays. In some cases, applicants are facing waiting periods of nearly one year to secure a regular visa interview appointment,” he said.
Firoos partly attributed the backlog to a global, temporary suspension of US visa services that lasted more than three months. While additional appointment slots are released periodically, he said, availability remains constrained.
Schengen visa applicants are experiencing similar challenges, with appointments for certain countries unavailable for several weeks or longer. Some embassies are also taking more than a month to process applications and return passports after submission, he added.
Consequently, some travellers have had to delay their holidays, choose different destinations or look for appointments through alternative countries.
Rashida Zahid, Vice-President of Operations at musafir.com, said residents planning trips to Schengen countries or the US are generally familiar with the lengthy visa procedures and tend to submit applications and make travel arrangements at least two to three months ahead.
She said planning well in advance remains essential for these destinations, particularly during peak travel periods when appointment slots can be difficult to secure.
Travellers opt for destinations with simpler visa procedures
The uncertainty is increasing interest in destinations offering visa-free entry, visas on arrival or online visa applications. These options are proving particularly attractive to expatriate families organising holidays during the upcoming break.
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are among the countries drawing greater interest, while Kazakhstan is also gaining attention as an alternative for residents looking for less complicated travel arrangements.
Aidasani said ease of travel has become a major consideration when choosing a destination, with residents increasingly placing visa accessibility ahead of their original holiday preferences.
Firoos said he was seeing a similar pattern, particularly among Indian passport holders living in the UAE.
“Travellers increasingly prefer destinations where the visa process is straightforward, predictable and does not require long appointment waiting periods,” he said.
He added that travel agencies and tour operators were responding by promoting more packages to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia for residents looking for alternatives to countries with lengthy visa procedures.
Zahid said destinations offering visa-free access or visas on arrival continue to attract residents making last-minute holiday decisions, including those who finalise their plans only a week before departure.
She named Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, as well as Malaysia and Thailand, among the popular choices for travellers seeking greater flexibility.
She added that Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore are also experiencing a rise in demand as holiday destinations.
The trend is becoming more pronounced ahead of the National Day holiday and winter school break, as families plan both short escapes and longer overseas holidays.
Firoos said travel choices also vary between UAE nationals and expatriate residents.
European countries and the UK continue to be popular with Emirati travellers, who generally encounter fewer visa-related hurdles. Expatriates, particularly Indian passport holders, are showing greater interest in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Kazakhstan, he said.
“Many residents are now prioritising visa accessibility over their original destination preferences,” he said.
Rather than risk having to cancel or postpone their holidays, travellers are increasingly opting for countries with clearer entry rules and more predictable visa processing times.
Visa checks before booking flights
Travel agents say the delays are also reshaping the way residents plan their holidays, with visa requirements increasingly being checked before flights and accommodation are booked.
Aidasani said those who already have valid visas are continuing with their European travel plans, while residents who still need to apply are looking at destinations with less complicated procedures.
“Those who already hold valid visas are proceeding with their European travel plans, while others are increasingly considering destinations where the visa process is simpler and more predictable,” he said.
Short-haul destinations are expected to remain popular for the National Day break, as residents look to make the most of the limited holiday period without spending extra time dealing with visa procedures.
For the longer winter break, travel agents expect demand to remain strong for Southeast Asia, the Maldives, destinations across Africa and selected European countries.
Despite the appointment difficulties, Zahid said interest in European holidays has not diminished, with some residents continuing to book their trips well in advance. She added that musafir.com provides guaranteed visa appointments for selected Schengen destinations when customers book them alongside customised or escorted holiday packages.
Firoos said residents are becoming more open to changing their destinations but are also taking greater care before making international bookings, checking visa requirements and processing times first.
Aidasani urged travellers to submit their visa applications well ahead of departure, especially when embassy appointments are required.
“Don’t let visa uncertainty stop you from travelling, but don’t leave your visa planning until the last minute,” he said.
He also advised residents to check the requirements for their passport and select destinations that suit their available travel time and holiday expectations.
