The United Arab Emirates welcomes millions of visitors every year, and many travellers can enter the country without obtaining a visa before departure. Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for visa-free entry, a visa on arrival, or entry using your GCC national ID.
Here’s a simple guide to the UAE’s current visa-free and visa-on-arrival options.
1. GCC Citizens
Citizens of GCC countries enjoy the easiest entry process. No visa is required, and they can enter the UAE using either a valid passport or their national identity card.
Eligible countries:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
2. Countries Eligible for 30-Day Visa-Free Entry
Passport holders from the following countries can visit the UAE for up to 30 days without obtaining a visa in advance. In many cases, an extension may be available under UAE immigration rules.
- Andorra
- Brunei
- Hong Kong (China)
- Kazakhstan
- Macau (China)
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Republic of Ireland
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican City
3. Countries Eligible for 90-Day Visa-Free Entry
Citizens of these countries can stay in the UAE for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa before travel. This facility is intended for tourism and short visits and does not allow employment.
- Albania
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- North Macedonia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Guyana
- Romania
- Russia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
4. Visa on Arrival for Selected Nationalities
The UAE also offers 14-day or 60-day visas on arrival to nationals of certain countries. To qualify, travellers must hold a valid residence permit or visa issued by one of the approved countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, or an EU member state.
Eligible nationalities:
- India
- Indonesia
- Kenya
- Philippines
- South Africa
- Thailand
- Vietnam
The length of stay depends on the visa category issued on arrival.
Important Things to Know
- Visa-free entry is for tourism and short visits only.
- Working in the UAE requires the appropriate work or residence visa.
- Passport validity requirements and entry conditions still apply.
- Immigration rules can change, so travellers should always confirm the latest requirements with the UAE’s official immigration authorities before departure.
Whether you’re visiting Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or another emirate, checking your eligibility before you travel can help make your arrival smoother and avoid unexpected issues at the airport.