Are you eligible for Dubai visa on arrival? List of countries and stay duration explained
From 30 to 90 days, these travellers do not need to apply for a visit visa before arriving in Dubai
Dubai: Planning a trip to Dubai? Depending on your passport, you may not need to apply for a visa in advance.
Visitors to the UAE may be eligible for a visa on arrival, if they belong to one of the many countries that are approved to receive a visa on arrival in the UAE.
Here’s a breakdown of how it works, who qualifies, and how long you can stay.
What is a visa on arrival?
While tourists and visitors would normally need to apply for a visa before visiting the UAE, nationals of certain countries do not require to do so. The UAE’s authorities have signed agreements with more 80 countries, which allows citizens of those countries to travel to the UAE without the need for a pre-approved visa.
This means that you can travel directly to the UAE and head to the immigration section, where you will receive a visa on arrival, which, in many cases, may also be free of cost.
How long can you stay?
Depending on your passport, you may be eligible for a 30-, 60- or 90-day visa on arrival. Some nationalities are eligible for a longer 180-day visa, also multiple entry, within a six month period.
Who is eligible?
Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) provides a list of countries that are eligible for a visa on arrival, and Emirates airlines also provides a breakdown of the duration of the visa that will be issued, depending on the country:
30-day visa on arrival
- Andorra
- Brunei
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
- Kazakhstan
- Macau Special Administrative Region
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Ireland
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican City
90-day visa on arrival
- Albania
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Austria
- Australia
- 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
- Maldives
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- 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
180-day visa on arrival
- Mexico
Indian citizens may also qualify in certain cases
According to GDRFA Dubai, Indian passport holders can also obtain a visa on arrival, if they meet specific conditions.
Indian citizens holding:
- a valid US Green Card, or
- a valid residence visa for the UK or any European Union country
can receive a visa on arrival, if their residency document and passport is valid for at least 6 months.
You will receive a 14-day visa on arrival, which can be extended once for another 14 days.
Fees: AED 253
Not eligible? Here’s what to do
If your country is not listed above, you will need to apply for a UAE visit visa in advance before travelling. Read our full guide on how to apply here.