Published: 23 July 2026
Since 25 June 2026, six more nationalities can enter the UAE on a visa on arrival instead of applying for a pre-arranged visit visa. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) expanded eligibility to citizens of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa, provided they hold a valid residence permit from one of nine approved countries. This guide covers exactly who qualifies, what to bring to the airport, the official fees, and how this differs from a standard pre-arranged visit visa.
If you already have a visit visa arranged before travelling, this expansion does not apply to you; see our separate guide on the new UAE visit visa rules for 2026 instead.
Who Is Eligible for the Expanded Visa on Arrival
Two conditions must both be true. You must be a national of one of the newly eligible countries, and you must hold a valid residence permit from one of the approved qualifying countries.
Newly eligible nationalities (from 25 June 2026):
– Indonesia
– Vietnam
– Thailand
– The Philippines
– Kenya
– South Africa
Qualifying residence permit countries (nine total):
– United States
– European Union member states
– United Kingdom
– Singapore
– Japan
– South Korea
– Australia
– New Zealand
– Canada
Singapore, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Canada were newly added to the qualifying-permit list alongside this expansion; the US, EU, UK, and Australia were already accepted.
Nationality alone does not qualify you. A Filipino, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, Kenyan, or South African national travelling on an ordinary passport without a valid residence permit from one of the nine listed countries must still apply for a pre-arranged visit visa before travelling.
Indian nationals have had a separate, longer-standing visa-on-arrival facility (valid US/UK/EU/Australian/Canadian visa holders, 14-day visa) that is unaffected by this expansion and continues under its own existing terms.
Accompanying family members of eligible applicants who meet the same nationality and permit conditions are also covered.
Visa on Arrival Options: 14-Day vs 60-Day
| Feature | 14-Day Visa on Arrival | 60-Day Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 14 days from entry | 60 days from entry |
| Fee | AED 100 (Dh100) | AED 250 (Dh250) |
| Entry type | Single entry | Single entry |
| Extension | Can be extended once during the stay | Not extendable |
| Best for | Short business trips, transit-adjacent stays | Longer tourism, family visits, extended business trips |
Since the 60-day option cannot be extended at all, travellers who may need to stay longer than 60 days, or who are unsure how long they will need, should budget for the 14-day option with its one-time extension instead, or apply for a standard pre-arranged visit visa before travel.
Document Requirements at the Airport
Have these ready at UAE immigration:
- Passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
- Proof of the qualifying residence permit (US, EU, UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada) – a physical or digital copy that is clearly valid, not expired.
- Return or onward ticket confirming you will leave the UAE within the visa validity period.
- Confirmed hotel booking or UAE address for the duration of your stay.
- Proof of sufficient funds – a recent bank statement or valid credit card may be requested.
- Passport-style photo, in some cases, if requested by the counter officer.
Airline check-in staff at your departure airport may also ask to see your qualifying residence permit before boarding, since airlines carry liability for passengers who are refused entry at the UAE border.
Fees, Payment, and What Is Not Covered
The AED 100 (14-day) and AED 250 (60-day) fees cover the visa on arrival itself. They do not cover:
– Any airline-imposed documentation or verification charges.
– Health insurance, which is not currently a stated requirement for visa-on-arrival entry but is strongly recommended for any international traveller.
– Visa extension fees, if you extend the 14-day option (confirm the current extension fee with GDRFA at the time of extension, since it is not fixed in the visa-on-arrival announcement itself).
Verify with ICP/GDRFA before travel if your itinerary depends on an exact fee figure, since airport-counter processing charges can vary and are not always itemised in official summaries.
Visa on Arrival vs Pre-Arranged Visit Visa
| Visa on Arrival (this guide) | Pre-Arranged Visit Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you apply | At the UAE port of entry | Before travel, via airline, hotel, tour operator, or approved typing centre |
| Processing time | Immediate at the border, if eligible | Typically 2-4 working days before travel |
| Eligibility | Limited to specific nationalities with a qualifying residence permit | Open to a broader range of nationalities, subject to standard visa rules |
| Risk if requirements are not met | Refusal at the border, no boarding, or denied entry | Application rejected before travel, no wasted trip |
| Flexibility | Fixed 14 or 60 days | Multiple visit visa types and durations available |
If you do not clearly meet both the nationality and residence-permit conditions above, apply for a standard visit visa in advance rather than risking refusal at the airport. See our visit visa rules guide for the standard application process.
What Happens If You Are Refused Entry
If UAE immigration determines you do not meet the visa-on-arrival conditions, you may be:
– Denied boarding by your airline at the departure airport (most common outcome, since airlines pre-screen documents to avoid being liable for a passenger’s return flight).
– Refused entry on arrival and returned on the next available flight at the traveller’s or airline’s cost, depending on the carrier’s policy.
To avoid this, always carry physical or clearly accessible digital proof of your qualifying residence permit, not just a mention of holding one. Airport and airline staff generally will not accept a verbal confirmation.
Overstay Penalty
If you remain in the UAE beyond your visa-on-arrival validity without an approved extension, an overstay fine of AED 50 per day applies from the day after expiry, with no grace period reported for this specific visa category. Extend the 14-day visa before it lapses, or exit the country before the 60-day visa expires, since it cannot be extended at all.
Step-by-Step: Using the Visa on Arrival at a UAE Airport
- Before you fly, confirm your residence permit from one of the nine qualifying countries is valid for the full duration of your intended UAE stay, not just valid on your departure date.
- At check-in, present your passport and residence permit to the airline. Many airlines verify visa-on-arrival eligibility before issuing a boarding pass, since they are liable for passengers refused entry.
- On arrival in the UAE, proceed to the visa-on-arrival counter or the standard immigration desk (this varies by airport; Dubai and Abu Dhabi international airports have clear signage for eligible nationalities).
- Present your documents: passport, qualifying residence permit, return ticket, and accommodation proof.
- Pay the applicable fee (AED 100 or AED 250) at the counter, if not already collected digitally in advance at some airports.
- Receive your visa on arrival stamp or digital visa confirmation, noting the exact expiry date printed or issued.
- Register your Emirates ID biometric requirements if your stay involves any further formalities beyond tourism; visa-on-arrival holders are not automatically issued an Emirates ID, since this visa category does not lead to residency.
Why the UAE Expanded Visa on Arrival Eligibility
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ICP framed this expansion as part of a broader push to widen the UAE’s travel and tourism appeal while maintaining border security through the qualifying-permit condition. Rather than opening visa-free access outright, the UAE tied eligibility to travellers who already hold a residence permit from a trusted, high-scrutiny jurisdiction (the US, EU, UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada). This means the UAE is effectively relying on the vetting already done by those nine governments, extending trust to travellers who have already cleared a similar bar elsewhere, without a full visa-free arrangement with Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, or South Africa directly.
This approach mirrors how the UAE has handled other visa facilitation programs in recent years: incremental, permit-conditioned expansions rather than blanket nationality-based visa waivers, which keeps the system flexible for the UAE to adjust or pause without renegotiating a bilateral visa-free agreement.
Tips for First-Time Travellers Under This Scheme
- Carry a printed copy of your qualifying residence permit, not just a photo on your phone. Some airline staff and immigration counters still prefer a physical document, and a dead battery should not be the reason you are denied boarding.
- Double-check your residence permit’s expiry date against your full UAE travel dates, including your return leg, not just your arrival date.
- Book accommodation before you fly, since a confirmed hotel booking or address is a stated requirement, and immigration officers can ask for it at the counter.
- Do not assume the 60-day visa can be shortened into a cheaper option later. If you are not sure you need 60 days, the 14-day option with its one-time extension is more flexible, even if it means paying for an extension later.
- If travelling with family, confirm each member’s individual eligibility separately. A family member without their own qualifying residence permit does not automatically inherit eligibility from the primary applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the new UAE visa on arrival in 2026?
Nationals of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa who hold a valid residence permit from the US, an EU member state, the UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada.
How much does the UAE visa on arrival cost?
AED 100 for the 14-day option and AED 250 for the 60-day option.
Can I extend my visa on arrival?
The 14-day visa can be extended once during your stay. The 60-day visa is single-entry and cannot be extended at all.
Does this expansion affect Indian nationals?
No. Indian nationals continue under their existing, separate visa-on-arrival facility tied to valid US/UK/EU/Australian/Canadian visas, unaffected by this June 2026 expansion.
What documents do I need at the airport?
A passport valid for at least six months, proof of your qualifying residence permit, a return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation, and proof of sufficient funds.
What if I don’t hold a residence permit from one of the nine listed countries?
You do not qualify for visa on arrival under this scheme. Apply for a standard pre-arranged UAE visit visa before travelling instead.
Is there a fee difference for family members travelling with an eligible applicant?
Each family member who independently meets the nationality and residence-permit conditions pays the applicable AED 100 or AED 250 fee individually. Confirm with the airline or GDRFA if travelling as a group.
What happens if I overstay?
An AED 50 per day fine applies from the day after your visa expires, with no stated grace period for this visa category.
Can I convert a visa on arrival into a residence visa while in the UAE?
This is not addressed in the visa-on-arrival announcement itself. If you intend to convert your status, consult GDRFA or a licensed PRO service before your visa-on-arrival period lapses.
Is travel insurance required for visa-on-arrival entry?
Not stated as a mandatory requirement in the official announcement, but strongly recommended for any international traveller regardless of visa type.
Related Reading
Travelling to the UAE for business rather than tourism? If your trip is tied to setting up a company or reviewing UAE tax exposure while you are here, Qaspro Global has a full breakdown of the 2026 UAE tax penalty framework worth reading before you arrive.
If you need help confirming your eligibility, gathering documents, or handling a visa issue at the UAE border, contact Yalah Dubai on WhatsApp at +971 52 580 2100.