United Arab Emirates visa policy

The United Arab Emirates visa policy sets out the conditions and procedures for issuing visas to foreign visitors.

Now citizens of certain countries can have short-term visits to the UAE without a visa, including travelers from GCC countries who can enjoy absolute travel freedom in the country.

At the same time, nationals of other countries need to get a visa to the United Arab Emirates. Depending on nationality, the UAE visa can be obtained through several application methods: online, at the entry point, or at the embassy by making an in-person visit.

The most convenient way is to apply online for a UAE eVisa. The application process involves a few simple steps and can be completed from any place with internet access – there is no need to go to the embassy. The approved visa to the United Arab Emirates comes as a PDF document to the applicant’s email address.

Those who did not have the ability to apply in advance or are not eligible for electronic visas can get a UAE visa on arrival at one of the entry points. Applicants for on-arrival visas must be ready to spend some time in lines.

Travelers from the rest of the countries must apply for a regular visa to the UAE. A visit visa is only issued after the applicant attends the UAE embassy/consulate in person.

Please keep in mind that the visa policy of the UAE covers solely the subject of issuing visas. Foreign travelers must also adhere to other aspects of the UAE entry requirements, which include the obligation for all visitors to hold a valid passport while in the country.

Who can enter the United Arab Emirates?

The United Arab Emirates welcomes nationals of all countries, provided they comply with the UAE visa policy and entry requirements.

Travelers without visa-free access must obtain a UAE visa using a proper application method for their nationality. Citizens of all countries need a valid passport.

Nigerian nationals additionally need to hold a hotel booking or an accommodation address for the whole period of their planned stay in the United Arab Emirates.

Entry requirements for the United Arab Emirates

All passengers to the UAE must have an international passport with at least one spare page for stamp. The passport must stay valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended entry into the UAE.

Travelers from the majority of countries also need a UAE visa. The application method depends on the person’s nationality and travel purposes.

Since the COVID-19-related travel restrictions have been removed, visitors no longer need to show vaccination proof or a negative result of a PCR test.

Written approval from the UAE authorities is obligatory if transporting arms or items that may be considered law enforcement or military equipment.

Those intending to get work or residence permits must undergo a medical exam after arrival in the UAE. It includes examination and tests for HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis B, tuberculosis, leprosy, and pregnancy.

Documents checklist for entering the United Arab Emirates

Review the required documents for visiting the United Arab Emirates:

• a valid passport;
• a UAE visa (if applicable).

Note that all travelers are strongly encouraged to check the updates for entry requirements to the UAE with their airline and the UAE official sources before departure.

Methods of getting a visa to the UAE

The methods of getting a UAE visa differ between nationalities. Depending on the visa policy of the UAE, travelers may get electronic UAE visas, visas on arrival, or regular visas.

Electronic visa

The UAE eVisa is an electronic visa for short-term tourist trips. The application process is completed on the website. It is necessary to provide some personal details, pay the fees, and check the email for approval.

The online visa to the UAE permits its holders a 96-hour, 30-day, or 90-day stay in the country, depending on the chosen type of the UAE eVisa.

Visa on arrival

The visa on arrival is an option for those who do not have a visa approved before arrival. It can be obtained after filling out an application at the UAE entry ports.

Still, getting a UAE eVisa in advance is advisable since applying for a visa on arrival may be inconvenient because of the long lines and risk of refusal.

Regular visa

A regular visa can be received at the UAE embassy/consulate only. Travelers not eligible for other application methods must schedule an appointment at the nearest UAE foreign mission.

After lodging the application and a successful visa interview, an applicant must revisit the office to collect the approved UAE visa.

Countries and regions which require a visa for entry into the UAE

Check the list of eligible countries to know if you need a UAE visa and which application method you should use.

Electronic visa

• Afghanistan
• Albania
• Armenia
• Angola
• Azerbaijan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Barbados
• Bangladesh
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Benin
• Bermuda
• Bolivia
• Bahamas
• Bhutan
• Botswana
• Belarus
• Belize
• Congo
• Central African Republic
• Ivory Coast
• Cameroon
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Djibouti
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Algeria
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Micronesia
• Gabon
• Grenada
• Georgia
• French Guiana
• Ghana
• Greenland
• Guinea Bissau
• Guinea
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Honduras
• Haiti
• Indonesia
• India
• Iraq
• Iran
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Kyrgyzstan
• Cambodia
• Kiribati
• Comoros
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• North Korea
• Cayman Islands
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Saint Lucia
• Sri Lanka
• Liberia
• Lesotho
• Latvia
• Libya
• Morocco
• Moldova
• Madagascar
• Marshall Islands
• Macedonia
• Mali
• Myanmar
• Mongolia
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Martinique
• Mauritania
• Maldives
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• New Caledonia
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Nicaragua
• Nepal
• Nauru
• Panama
• Peru
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Pakistan
• Sierra Leone
• Senegal
• Somalia
• Suriname
• El Salvador
• Syria
• Swaziland
• Chad
• Togo
• Thailand
• Tajikistan
• Timor Leste
• Turkmenistan
• Tunisia
• Tonga
• Turkey
• Tuvalu
• Taiwan
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Vanuatu
• Samoa
• Yemen
• South Africa
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Palau
• Rwanda
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Paraguay
• Sudan
• South Sudan
• Palestine
• Solomon Islands
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saint Helena
• Puerto Rico
• Cape Verde
• Antigua and Barbuda

Visa on arrival

• Andorra
• Australia
• Canada
• China
• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• Japan
• South Korea
• Kazakhstan
• Monaco
• Mauritius
• Malaysia
• New Zealand
• San Marino
• Ukraine
• United States
• Vatican City
• Singapore
• Russia
• Brunei Darussalam

Regular visa

• Anguilla
• American Samoa
• Aruba
• Aland Islands
• Cocos Islands
• Cook Islands
• Christmas Island
• Falkland Islands
• Faroe Islands
• Georgia
• Gibraltar
• Gambia
• Guadeloupe
• Guam
• Macau
• Montserrat
• Norfolk Island
• Niue
• French Polynesia
• Caicos Islands
• Tokelau
• United States
• British Virgin Islands
• Mayotte
• Qatar
• United States Virgin Islands
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Isle of Man
• Guernsey
• Saint Martin
• Reunion
• Jersey
• Curacao
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Saint Barthelemy
• Sint Maarten
• Bonaire

Visa-free

• Argentina
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Bahrain
• Brazil
• Switzerland
• Chile
• Serbia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Spain
• Finland
• France
• United Kingdom
• Greece
• Croatia
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Kuwait
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Montenegro
• Malta
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Oman
• Poland
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Seychelles
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Saudi Arabia
• Romania

Entry requirements for children

The UAE entry requirements for children and adults are the same.

All underage visitors must have a passport that does not expire within at least 6 months from arrival in the UAE. If a child is from a visa-required country, a separate UAE visa is also mandatory.

The UAE visa application for minors must be submitted by their parents or legal guardians.

Transit information

Non-visa-exempt passengers must obtain a UAE visa to transit through the country to their next destination.

A transit eVisa for UAE is available for visitors meeting the following requirements:

• transit takes place through Dubai;
• the difference between flights is more than 8 hours;
• the applicant must have proof of booked accommodation and a visa to the next travel country.

Nationals of Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, Somalia, and Yemen are not eligible.

Contact the UAE embassy and your airline to get more detailed information.

Important information

• The visa policy of the UAE offers three methods of obtaining a visa to the UAE: eVisa, a visa on arrival, and a regular visa.
• Travelers must check the list of eligible countries to see which application method they should choose.
• GCC members and other certain countries have visa-free access to the United Arab Emirates.
• The UAE eVisa has the easiest application method and allows a 96-hour, 30-day, or 90-day visit to the UAE.
• All passenger must have a passport that remains effective within at least 6 months from arrival.