Home › Travel Guides › Middle East Travel Guide › United Arab Emirates › United Arab Emirates: Visa and Passport Requirements
Image gallery

Burj Al Arab hotel, Dubai

© 123rf.com

+400
United Arab Emirates Local time

United Arab Emirates: visa and passport requirements

Passport required Return ticket required Visa required
Australian Yes Yes Yes
British Yes Yes Yes
Canadian Yes Yes 1
Other EU Yes Yes 1
USA Yes Yes Yes
Passports: 

To enter the United Arab Emirates, a passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond the end date of the stay is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Often, a sponsor will hold a visitor's passport. In these cases a receipt will be issued. This will generally be accepted in place of a passport where a transaction may require one.

Visas: 

Nationals referred to in the chart above, on business or tourist visits lasting 30 days (extendable on request up to 90 days), are issued visas free of charge on arrival, provided they meet the requirements of the Resident and Nationalisation Authorities, except the following:

(1) nationals of Canada, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, who do need a pre-arranged visa for touristic or business stays of up to 30 days.

Note: UK nationals must travel with a passport reading 'British Citizen' as national status.

Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements for the United Arab Emirates.

Visa note: 

The government of the United Arab Emirates refuses entry and transit to those holding transit documents issued from Lebanon or the Syrian Arab Republic, and travel documents issued by the Coalition Authority in Iraq, should their visas be obtained through an associate in the UAE.

The embassy only issues visas for visits of an official nature - usually diplomatic or certain business visits. For routine travel (for those who are not eligible for visa on arrival), visas for tourists, travellers intending to visit family and business travellers must be arranged via the sponsor (this can be the hotel/package tour operator or UAE resident/company concerned). This includes transit visas.

To obtain approval, the sponsor will require the visitor's proposed flight and passport details in advance. Business visits are made by invitation only and proof of company trading licence is required. The sponsor will then confirm to the visitor that a visa has been arranged, usually by fax, and that she/he will be met at the airport.

Types and cost: 

Visit: Citizens of the following countries are issued with a free 30-day visit visa upon entry: UK, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Note: Israeli citizens are not permitted to travel to the UAE. 

Short Visit Visa: If you’re not from one of the countries listed in the above categories and you want to stay longer than 14 days in the UAE, it’s necessary to obtain a Visit Visa and pay a fee of Dhs500 in advance through a sponsor, such as your hotel, a travel agency, your hotel, a friend or relative, or the business you are liaising with in the UAE.

Extensions: UK and Australian citizens can extend their 30-day visa for an additional period of 30 days for a fee of Dh500. US citizens who want to stay longer than one month must go through a formal process of applying for a visa prior to travelling at the embassy. This costs US$51 and requires valid passport along with passport copies from both you and your sponsor (either a hotel, business, family member or friend who is a UAE resident). There are other requirements too; your sponsor must also draft up an invitation letter, you need a letter from your employer.

Transit: Transit passengers holding valid onward or return documentation are permitted a 96-hour stay in the country which can be arranged through your airline, though the citizens of some countries are exempt. Check with your embassy.

Multiple entry: Costs Dhs2000 and allows stays of up to 14 days at a time over a period of six months from the date of issue.

Business visa: It costs Dhs320 for a14-day, non-renewable Mission Visa, issued to businessmen and professionals. You must be sponsored a company, consultant or hotel and pay an additional Dhs1000, refundable upon departure deposit.

Working days: 

Between three and five when arranged through a sponsor. However, allowances should be made for possible delays in approval procedure. It is strongly advised to apply well in advance of departure date.

Travel Deals

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Africa, the way it should be seen
We´re cutting the cost of Africa overland trips by up to a whopping 40%. 25% off many trips departing by 30/6/12.
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.