Dubai Visa on Arrival: Who Qualifies and How Long You Can Stay
The UAE lets many travellers enter without applying for a visa in advance. How long you can stay depends on your passport. This guide covers the main groups, and the conditional route for Indian passport holders and six other nationalities.
| Category | Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| More than 70 nationalities, including the US, UK, EU states, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, Russia, Singapore and South Korea | 90 days in any 180-day period | Entry is for visits only. You cannot work on it. |
| A short list including Malaysia, Hong Kong and Mauritius | 30 days | Usually extendable by 30 days. |
| GCC citizens (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia) | No visa needed | Passport or national ID accepted. |
| Indian, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, Filipino, Kenyan and South African passport holders with a qualifying residence permit | 14 days or 60 days | See below. |
| Everyone else | Visa needed before travel | Apply through the airline, a hotel or an authorised agent. |
The 14-Day and 60-Day Route
Indian passport holders have long had a conditional visa on arrival. In June 2026 the UAE extended it to Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa. To qualify you need a valid visa, residence permit or Green Card from the US, an EU country, the UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Expired documents are not accepted, and family travelling with you must meet the same nationality condition.
- 14-day visa: Dh100, extendable once for Dh250.
- 60-day visa: Dh250, single entry and not extendable.
- Overstay: a Dh50 fine for each day.
For the six newly added nationalities, see our UAE visa on arrival expansion guide.
Before You Fly
- Check your passport against the category table above on the official ICP site (icp.gov.ae) or GDRFA Dubai (gdrfad.gov.ae), or ask your airline.
- Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
- If you are not eligible, apply for an entry permit before you travel. Airlines can deny boarding if your entry eligibility is unclear.
- Keep your return ticket and hotel booking handy for the check-in desk and the immigration officer.
Frequently asked questions
How long must my passport be valid?
At least six months from your arrival date.
What does it cost to overstay?
On the 14-day and 60-day route the overstay fine is Dh50 for each day.
Where to go next
Arriving with cash or high-value gifts? Read what to declare in the iDeclare app before you land.
Related guides
- Dubai Airport Smart Gates, Red Carpet and Click and Travel: Who Can Use Each
- UAE Visa Overstay Fine: AED 50 a Day on All Visas
- From 30 to 180 Days: How Long Can You Stay After UAE Visa Cancellation?
- Who Cannot Use Dubai Smart Gates: Under-15 and 1.2 Metre Rules
- Al Furjan Paid Parking: Zone 591P, Subscriptions and Payment
