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8 ways to enter

United Arab Emirates visas

United Arab Emirates tourist visa

Your passport determines whether you can visit without a visa or need an online visa. Some travellers qualify for a visa on arrival.

Ways to get a United Arab Emirates tourist visa

  1. Freedom of movement

    No visa needed

    Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

    Stay
    Freedom of movement; no day limit is stated.

    Passports that qualify (5)

  2. 180-day visa-free entry

    No visa needed

    Citizens of Albania and Mexico holding ordinary passports.

    Stay
    180 days.

    Passports that qualify (2)

  3. 90-day visa-free entry

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries, including European Union member states except Ireland. For the United Kingdom, this applies to British citizens only.

    Stay
    90 days within any 180-day period.

  5. Online visitor visa

    eVisa

    Visitors from countries outside the visa-free arrangements can apply online.

    1. Apply through Smart Service for Dubai or another emirate, or through an eligible airline.
    2. If using Smart Service, print your online visa confirmation.

  6. 14-day visa on arrival

    Visa on arrival

    Indian citizens with a qualifying foreign visa or residence permit, and citizens of Indonesia, Kenya, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand or Vietnam with a qualifying foreign residence permit.

    Stay
    14 days, with one possible extension of another 14 days.
    Fee
    The one-time 14-day extension costs AED 100. The initial visa fee is not stated.

  7. 60-day visa on arrival

    Visa on arrival

    Indian citizens with a qualifying foreign visa or residence permit, and citizens of Indonesia, Kenya, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand or Vietnam with a qualifying foreign residence permit.

    Stay
    60 days. This cannot be extended.
    Fee
    AED 250.

  8. Diplomatic and official passport exemptions

    No visa needed

    Holders of diplomatic or official/service passports from Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Grenada, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Liberia, Morocco, Rwanda, Serbia, Thailand, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Vanuatu and Vietnam. Diplomatic passport holders from Armenia, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Uzbekistan also qualify.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days, except Burkina Faso, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam: 30 days.

Who needs it

Visitors who do not qualify for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival must obtain an online visa.

Who doesn't

Citizens of the listed countries and territories can enter without a visa. The allowed stay depends on their passport.

How to apply

  1. Check whether your passport qualifies for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival.
  2. If you need an online visa, apply through Smart Service or an eligible airline.

What to bring

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months, or 3 months if you hold a residence permit.
  • Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries can use a government-issued ID card.

Good to know

  • Stay within the limit that applies to your passport.
  • Citizens of Iran are refused entry.
  • Citizens of South Sudan holding a business passport are refused entry.
  • The Gulf Cooperation Council countries listed here are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
  • The 90-day visa-free allowance for the United Kingdom applies to British citizens only.
  • The listed Chinese passport rules cover People's Republic of China passports and Hong Kong or Macau Special Administrative Region passports.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for the United Arab Emirates?

Visitors who do not qualify for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival must obtain an online visa. Citizens of the listed countries and territories can enter without a visa. The allowed stay depends on their passport.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for the United Arab Emirates?

There are 8 options: Freedom of movement (no visa at all); 180-day visa-free entry (no visa at all); 90-day visa-free entry (no visa at all); 30-day visa-free entry (no visa at all); Online visitor visa (an online visa); 14-day visa on arrival (a visa at the border); 60-day visa on arrival (a visa at the border); Diplomatic and official passport exemptions (no visa at all).

Who can go to the United Arab Emirates without a tourist visa?

Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Citizens of Albania and Mexico holding ordinary passports. Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries, including European Union member states except Ireland. For the United Kingdom, this applies to British citizens only. Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries and territories. Holders of diplomatic or official/service passports from Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Grenada, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Liberia, Morocco, Rwanda, Serbia, Thailand, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Vanuatu and Vietnam. Diplomatic passport holders from Armenia, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Uzbekistan also qualify.

Can I apply online for the United Arab Emirates?

Yes: Online visitor visa. Visitors from countries outside the visa-free arrangements can apply online.

How long can I stay on a the United Arab Emirates tourist visa?

Visa-free stays range from 30 to 180 days. Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have freedom of movement.

What documents do I need for a the United Arab Emirates tourist visa?

Passport valid for at least 6 months, or 3 months if you hold a residence permit.; Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries can use a government-issued ID card..

How do I apply for a the United Arab Emirates tourist visa?

1. 1. Check whether your passport qualifies for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival. 2. 2. If you need an online visa, apply through Smart Service or an eligible airline.

What rules do I have to follow on a the United Arab Emirates tourist visa?

Stay within the limit that applies to your passport. Citizens of Iran are refused entry. Citizens of South Sudan holding a business passport are refused entry.

Does my passport change whether I need a tourist visa for the United Arab Emirates?

Yes. Rules depend on the country that issued your passport. Open the United Arab Emirates visa page and choose your passport for a plain answer.

Can a tourist visa for the United Arab Emirates be refused?

Yes. Officials can refuse a visa or entry, even after you apply. Give true answers, bring the documents asked for, and keep proof of your onward trip and money.

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