Dubai & UAE Visa Requirements by Nationality: Who Enters Visa-Free, Who Gets Visa on Arrival, Who Needs an e-Visa
Complete UAE tourist visa guide by country: 30-day and 90-day visa on arrival lists, GCC citizens and residents, Indian passport holders, e-visa nationalities, the 5-year multi-entry visa, documents, costs and overstay fines.
The UAE has one of the most open entry regimes in the world for tourism — but it is tiered, and the tiers decide whether you simply land, or need to plan two weeks ahead. This guide reflects the rules as we apply them for clients from over 40 countries; visa policy is set by the UAE government and changes, so confirm on the official ICP or GDRFA portals or with your airline before booking non-refundable travel.
Tier 1 — GCC citizens: no visa
Citizens of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman enter with a national ID card or passport, no visa, for stays without a fixed tourist limit. Their dependants and domestic staff need an entry permit arranged in advance.
Tier 2 — Visa on arrival, 90 days (free)
Citizens of these countries receive a 90-day multiple-entry stamp on arrival, valid for 90 days within any 180-day period:
- All EU member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden) plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican, Montenegro, Serbia.
- Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Bahamas, Barbados, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.
- Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Mauritius, Nauru, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Ukraine, Russia (90 days), Georgia (90 days).
Tier 3 — Visa on arrival, 30 days (free, extendable)
- United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.
- Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong (SAR passport), Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan (30 or 90 depending on scheme).
- Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City, Ukraine, Moldova.
- Mexico, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia, Türkiye (see note).
The 30-day stamp can be extended once for a further 30 days from inside the country for a fee. Türkiye's status has moved between visa-on-arrival and pre-arranged e-visa in recent years — Turkish citizens should check the current rule (our dedicated guide covers it).
Tier 4 — Conditional visa on arrival: Indian passport holders
Indian citizens can obtain a 14-day visa on arrival (extendable) if they hold at least one of: a valid US visa, a US green card, a valid UK or EU residence permit/visa, each with at least six months' validity. Without one of those, Indians need a pre-arranged e-visa through an airline, hotel or licensed agency — usually issued within 3–4 working days.
Tier 5 — GCC residents (non-citizens)
Expatriates living in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain or Oman on a valid residence permit can apply online for a GCC-resident entry e-visa (typically 30 days) before travelling, provided their residence is valid for at least three months and, for some schemes, their profession is on the approved list. Visa on arrival for GCC residents was withdrawn — do not travel without the e-visa in hand.
Tier 6 — Pre-arranged tourist e-visa (all other nationalities)
Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa and most of Africa, Central Asia and the Caribbean apply for a tourist e-visa before travel. A UAE-licensed sponsor — airline (Emirates, flydubai, Etihad, Air Arabia), hotel or tour operator such as DXB.IST — submits the application; approval usually takes 2–4 working days.
| Visa type | Stay | Entry | Typical fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist 30-day | 30 days | Single | 90–130 | Most common |
| Tourist 60-day | 60 days | Single | 160–220 | |
| Tourist 30/60-day multi | 30 or 60 per visit | Multiple | 180–320 | Valid 60 days from issue |
| Transit 48h / 96h | 2–4 days | Single | 0–50 | Via airline, confirmed onward ticket |
| 5-year multi-entry tourist | 90 days per visit (max 180/year) | Multiple | ≈ 180 + insurance | Self-sponsored, needs USD 4,000 bank balance proof |
Documents for an e-visa
- Passport valid at least 6 months from arrival, colour scan of the data page.
- Passport-style colour photo, white background.
- Confirmed return ticket and accommodation (a package confirmation is sufficient).
- For some nationalities: proof of funds or a sponsor's guarantee; for minors travelling with one parent, consent from the other.
Rules people trip over
- Passport validity: six months for everyone except visa-on-arrival nationals from Tier 2/3 who may be admitted with three — don't rely on it.
- Overstay: AED 50 per day after a 10-day grace period on tourist visas, payable at exit; repeated overstays can bring bans.
- Israel stamps or dual nationality are not an issue for entry to the UAE.
- Entry can be refused for a criminal record, previous deportation or an unpaid UAE fine — clear any old fines first.
- Medications: some common drugs (codeine, tramadol, certain ADHD and sleep medicines) are controlled — carry a prescription and check the Ministry of Health list.
- Ramadan and Eid: government processing slows; apply two weeks ahead.
DXB.IST
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Frequently asked questions
EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, most of Latin America, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and others get 30 or 90 days free on arrival; GCC citizens need no visa at all.
DXB.IST editorial team
Travel designers and guides based in Dubai and Istanbul. We update every guide at least twice a year.
