(Credit - MSN)
UAE Visa-on-Arrival Expansion: What You Need to Know
If you’re a national of Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Kenya, or South Africa, and you’re planning to visit the UAE, you’re now eligible for a visa on arrival. This rule, confirmed by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and effective 25 June 2026, allows entry with a valid ordinary passport and a qualifying residence permit.
To be eligible, you need an ordinary passport from one of the six nationalities above, and a valid residence permit from one of nine recognised countries: the United States, an EU member state, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada. Meet both conditions and you apply at the immigration counter on arrival, not in advance.
The Real Costs
Two visa options are available: a 14-day stay for AED 100, which can be extended once for a further 14 days at an additional AED 25, or a non-extendable 60-day stay for AED 250. These are fixed issuance fees confirmed directly by MOFA. Overstaying either visa carries a fine of AED 50 per day, so track your exit date carefully, especially on the non-extendable 60-day option.
| Option | Fee | Extendable? |
|---|---|---|
| 14-day visa | AED 100 | Once, +14 days for AED 25 |
| 60-day visa | AED 250 | No |
| Overstay fine | AED 50/day | N/A |
Who Qualifies
Both the eligible nationality and the residence-permit condition must be met together, one alone isn’t enough. The policy also covers accompanying family members who meet the same requirements. If you don’t hold a residence permit from one of the nine recognised countries, this route doesn’t apply to you, check our standard UAE tourist visa guide for other entry options instead.
How to Apply
- Confirm you hold an ordinary passport from one of the six eligible nationalities.
- Confirm you hold a valid residence permit from one of the nine recognised countries.
- Arrange standard entry documents: onward/return travel and accommodation details.
- At the UAE immigration counter on arrival, state whether you want the 14-day or 60-day visa and pay the applicable fee.
For Kenya-specific details, see our UAE Visa on Arrival for Kenyans guide.
This expansion gives nationals of six countries, holding residence permits from nine others, a genuine fast-track into the UAE: no advance visa application, just the right documents at the counter. The two conditions (nationality and residence permit) both have to be met, and the fees (AED 100 or AED 250) are fixed by MOFA. Confirm both before you fly, not at check-in.
