*Article first published July 2017. Prices and information correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and/or availability.
Amman, Jordan
Flight time: 3 hours
Cost: From around *Dh906
Why you should go: Amman is the perfect city to enjoy a short but fun-packed break as it has incredible Roman history, great food, plenty of independent galleries, museums and souks to explore. Enjoy some of the best Kunafa in all the Middle East at Habiba Sweets on Al Hazzar Street, take a guided tour around the Amman Citadel, or spend a few hours admiring (and probably buying!) the great handicrafts for sale on Rainbow Street. If you’re looking for somewhere close by and interesting to do your visa run, this is a great option. For dinner, find somewhere serving Khinkali, the local dumpling. It’s visa on arrival for most passport holders but check the full list here.
Read more about Amman in our guide to the 8 best things to do in Amman.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Flight time: 3.5 hours
Cost: From around *Dh826
Why you should go: You don’t need a visa to enter Georgia if you’re from one of these countries (the list includes the UAE, the US and the UK), so it’s an easy place to visit on a short break without too much planning. Fly to Tbilisi and take an Aerial Tramway ride from Rike Park to Narikala Fortress, which dates back to the 4th century and is a great place to go to learn about the country’s history. If you want a break from desert landscapes, take a picnic to the National Botanical Garden of Georgia and enjoy beautiful views of the city. Check out the best things to do in Tbilisi for every traveler.
Read more: Top 8 attractions and things to do in Georgia
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Flight time: 4.5 hours
Cost: From around *Dh888
Why you should go: No matter what time of year you need to do your visa run, somewhere in Sri Lanka will have great weather. Depending on the time of year and the weather, book a hotel by the sea in Colombo or hire a driver at the airport to take you down the coast to Galle, or up to tea plantation territory near Kandy in the mountains. The south west is wet from May to September, and the east is wet from December to March (take your chances on the months in between!). And even if it’s wet, it’s usually still warm. There’s lots of laid-back towns along the coast to the south of Colombo so take your pick and rent a beach hut for less than Dh100 a night. The sunsets, snorkeling and surfing are all first-rate. You can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization which costs around $35 (Dh129) or for an additional fee at the airport on arrival. Check the details here.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Flight time: 5.5 hours
Cost: From around *Dh362
Why you should go: As well as being very cheap to fly to (around twice the price of a tourist visa to Oman), it’s a very easy place to visit for a short time making it perfect for a visa run (but always check the visa entry rules here). The city, just 20 minutes on the subway from the airport, is very rich in culture and history. It’s the second oldest city in Europe and packed with museums, galleries and funky cafes and restaurants. A favorite is the National Museum of Natural History, which opened its door more than 120 years ago and has some great permanent exhibitions.
Beirut, Lebanon
Flight time: 4 hours
Cost: From around *Dh649
Why you should go: Beirut is only 4 hours away from Dubai but feels like it could be more; it’s a wonderful hybrid of East and West and has just as many funky shops and restaurants as it does historical sites and museums. Start your visa run trip at the National Museum of Beirut which will give you a good sense of Lebanon’s history and what makes it the country it is today. For lunch, take your pick. The city is jam-packed with family-run and stylish restaurants serving up the best food in the Levant! Other fun things to do in Beirut include a boat trip from Zaytouna Bay, shopping in the many Beiruti souks, and touring the beautiful Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque. Most passport holders (including UAE nationals and most European nationals) are eligible for a visa on arrival but check the details here.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Flight time: 4 hours
Cost: From around *Dh832
Why you should go: If you really want a UAE visa run to remember, Kathmandu ticks all the boxes. Home to the famous Boudhanath Stupa, the holiest Tibetan Buddhist site outside of Tibet, and Pashupatinath temple, a Hindu temple, it has a fascinating religious history. Check out the best things to see and do in Kathmandu to make the most out of your visa run. Make it a truly epic visa run by taking a flight over Mount Everest! Tour operators sell packages that usually last a few hours and will travel over and near the highest mountain on the planet. Check the reviews before you book, and make sure you have the correct travel insurance. Read up on Nepal’s visa-on-arrival policies here.
Find a cheap flight to Kathmandu
Want to take visa run further afield? Check these out for other fun destinations:
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