Roughly half of the world's nationalities can enter the UAE without a pre-arranged visa — either visa-free or via visa on arrival paid at the airport. The other half must apply online before flying. This 2026 guide lists who falls where, for how long, and at what cost, based on GDRFA and ICP official data.
Three categories of UAE arrival
- Visa-free. Stamp at the airport, no fee, fixed days of stay.
- Visa on arrival, paid. Issued at the airport for a small fee, typically 30 days.
- Pre-arranged visa required. Must apply through ICP, GDRFA, an airline, or a service provider before travelling.
Visa-free 90 days
Citizens of the following GCC and selected partner countries enter visa-free with 90 days of stay, multiple-entry, valid for 6 months from first entry:
- GCC nationals: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar.
Citizens of the following countries enter visa-free for 90 days, single visit:
- Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vatican City.
Visa-free 30 days
Citizens of these countries are eligible for a visa-free entry of 30 days, with extension options:
- Australia, United States.
US citizens specifically receive a 30-day visa stamped on arrival, which can be extended once for another 30 days.
Visa on arrival, paid
A small group of nationalities can obtain the visa at the airport for a fee. In 2026 these include:
- India — eligible if the traveller holds a valid US visa, US Green Card, UK residence, or EU residence. Cost: AED 100 for 14 days, AED 250 for 60 days.
The Indian visa-on-arrival rule has been one of the most popular in recent years and is regularly reviewed; check the GDRFA portal before travel.
Pre-arranged visa required
If your nationality is not on either of the above lists you must apply for a tourist visa before travelling. The most common channels are:
- Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia for ticketed passengers.
- Hotels and tour operators.
- UAE-resident family members via ICP smart services or GDRFA Amer.
- Accredited service providers including Visa Simplified.
Major nationalities that fall in this group include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and most other African and Asian states.
Cost reference
| Visa type | Government fee (AED) | Stay duration |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free entry | 0 | 30 or 90 days |
| India 14-day visa on arrival | 100 | 14 days |
| India 60-day visa on arrival | 250 | 60 days |
| Pre-arranged 30-day single entry | 350 | 30 days |
| Pre-arranged 60-day single entry | 650 | 60 days |
| 5-year multi-entry tourist visa | 1,150 | 90 per visit |
Step-by-step at the airport
- Disembark and follow signs to passport control.
- Visa-free travellers proceed directly to immigration desks; the officer stamps the passport.
- Travellers eligible for visa on arrival head to the dedicated counter, present their passport plus proof of qualifying status (US visa, EU residence, etc.), and pay the fee.
- The visa is stamped into the passport with the date of issue and expiry.
- Collect baggage and exit through customs.
Documents required at the desk
- Passport with 6+ months of validity.
- Confirmed return ticket.
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, host address).
- Proof of qualifying status (US visa / EU residence) if applying for the Indian visa on arrival.
- Sufficient cash or card to pay the AED fee.
Common mistakes
- Assuming visa-free covers all nationalities — always check your specific passport.
- Travelling on a passport with less than 6 months of validity. Airlines may refuse boarding.
- Indian travellers attempting visa on arrival without their qualifying US or EU document.
- Mixing up the 90-day visa-free window with the 6-month validity for GCC visitors.
- Booking a long stay assuming an automatic extension is available — only some categories can extend on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I confirm my exact eligibility?
The GDRFA Dubai and ICP federal portals publish updated lists. Airline visa pages (Emirates, Etihad, flydubai) also reflect the current rules in real time.
Can I extend a visa-free stay?
Some nationalities can extend at no cost; others must pay a fee. The 30-day US stamp, for example, can be extended once for AED 600 plus service.
Does visa-free cover the whole UAE?
Yes. Once stamped, you can travel freely between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, UAQ, and Fujairah.
Can I work on a visa on arrival?
No. Like any tourist visa it does not authorise paid employment.
If I am eligible for visa on arrival, do I still need a return ticket?
Yes. Immigration will ask for proof of onward or return travel.
Can I bring a child without a separate visa?
Each traveller, including infants, needs their own entry stamp or visa. For visa-free nationalities the child receives the same visa-free stamp.
What happens if my passport changes between issuance and travel?
For pre-arranged visas, the visa is tied to the passport number. If you renew before travelling you should carry both passports or apply for a fresh visa.
How we help
Visa Simplified processes pre-arranged tourist visas for the dozens of nationalities not eligible for visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry. We also advise eligible travellers on whether to use visa-free, visa on arrival, or a multi-entry option for upcoming UAE plans. See our visit visa services or our 30-day tourist visa guide if you need a pre-arranged visa.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.