UAE Visa on Arrival 2026: Full Eligibility List (Just Expanded)

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The UAE has just expanded its visa-on-arrival eligibility rules. From June 25, 2026, qualifying passport holders from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa joined Indian nationals in a special 14-day or 60-day UAE arrival visa category.

This is not a general visa exemption for everyone from those countries. To qualify, travellers must hold an ordinary passport and a valid residence permit from an approved country. Below, you will find the newly added nationalities first, followed by the complete UAE visit visa on arrival list, durations, documents and entry conditions.

UAE visa on arrival 2026 — quick answer

• Six nationalities were newly added: Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa
• Conditional visa duration: 14 or 60 days
• 30-day UAE VOA: Available to 13 passport categories
• 90-day UAE VOA: Available to more than 60 passport categories
• 180-day UAE VOA: Available to Mexican passport holders
• GCC citizens: Visa-free entry
• Indian passport holders: Eligible only when additional visa or residence conditions are met

This guide is based on information published by the,, the and.

UAE Visa on Arrival Eligibility Expanded in 2026

On June 25, 2026, ICP UAE officially expanded its “Entry Visa for Nationals of Certain Countries” programme. The change covers both the 14-day and 60-day visa categories.

Before the expansion, India was the only nationality included in this specific conditional programme. The updated list now covers seven nationalities:

Eligibility Status	Country or Passport
Previously eligible	India
Newly added in 2026	Indonesia
Newly added in 2026	Vietnam
Newly added in 2026	Thailand
Newly added in 2026	Philippines
Newly added in 2026	Kenya
Newly added in 2026	South Africa

Who Qualifies Under the Expanded UAE VOA Rules?

Holding one of the seven passports is not enough. The applicant must also have a valid residence permit issued by one of these jurisdictions:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• European Union member state
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Japan
• Singapore
• South Korea

Accompanying family members may also qualify when they meet the nationality, passport and residence permit conditions.

“Visa on arrival” does not always mean you should simply fly without preparation. The GDRFA Dubai service requires applicants to submit their details online, pay the applicable charges and receive approval by email. The stated processing time is up to 48 hours.

14-Day UAE Visa on Arrival

The 14-day category permits an eligible traveller to remain in the UAE for up to 14 days.

It may be extended once for another 14 days, subject to immigration approval. ICP announced a base visa fee of AED 100, while the GDRFA Dubai service page shows a total charge of AED 172.50 for its processing channel.

60-Day UAE Visa on Arrival

The 60-day category is issued as a single-entry visa. It cannot be extended.

ICP announced a base fee of AED 250, while the GDRFA Dubai service page lists a total of AED 422.50 through its service channel. Applicants should check the final amount before payment because government, processing and service charges may differ.

Anyone who remains after the authorised stay may face an overstay fine of AED 50 per day.

Newly Eligible UAE Visa on Arrival Countries

Indonesian Passport Holders

Indonesian ordinary passport holders may now qualify for a 14-day or 60-day UAE visa on arrival when they hold a valid residence permit from the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore or South Korea.

The passport must remain valid for at least six months. Approval should be obtained through the appropriate immigration channel before departure.

Vietnamese Passport Holders

Vietnamese nationals are included in the expanded UAE VOA category under the same residence permit conditions.

Vietnamese citizenship alone does not provide automatic visa on arrival UAE eligibility. The traveller must present a qualifying residence permit and meet all passport and immigration requirements.

Thai Passport Holders

Thai ordinary passport holders may use the newly expanded 14-day or 60-day arrival visa route when they live legally in one of the approved residence countries.

The 14-day option may be extended once, while the 60-day single-entry visa is non-extendable.

Philippine Passport Holders

Filipino passport holders can now qualify under the expanded UAE arrival visa programme when they hold an accepted foreign residence permit.

A Philippine passport without the required residence status does not qualify under this category. Travellers who do not meet the conditions must arrange a standard UAE tourist visa or another suitable UAE entry permit before flying.

Kenyan Passport Holders

Kenyan ordinary passport holders have been added to the conditional visa-on-arrival list.

Applicants must provide a passport valid for at least six months, a recent photograph and a valid residence permit from an approved country.

South African Passport Holders

South African nationals may qualify for the 14-day or 60-day category when they hold valid residence in an approved jurisdiction.

Short-term tourist status in another country should not automatically be treated as a residence permit. The supporting document must satisfy UAE immigration requirements.

Full UAE Visa on Arrival Countries List for 2026

The latest expansion does not replace the UAE’s existing 30-day, 90-day and 180-day visa-on-arrival categories.

Your allowed stay depends on the passport used at UAE airport immigration.

GCC Citizens Eligible for UAE Visa-Free Entry

Citizens of the following GCC countries do not need a visa to enter the UAE:

• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia

This is UAE visa-free travel, not a visa on arrival. GCC citizens can present an accepted GCC passport or national identity document at the border.

Foreign residents of GCC countries are treated differently. GCC residency does not provide the same visa exemption.

30-Day UAE Visa on Arrival Countries

Passport holders from the following countries and territories can normally receive a free 30-day visit visa on arrival:

30-Day UAE VOA Eligible Passports
Andorra
Brunei
Hong Kong, China
Kazakhstan
Macau, China
Malaysia
Mauritius
Monaco
Mongolia
Republic of Ireland
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Vatican City

No advance standard visa arrangement is normally required for these passport holders. Eligible passengers arriving at Dubai International Airport can proceed to immigration, where the passport is stamped or electronically recorded with the applicable tourist entry.

90-Day Multiple-Entry UAE Visa on Arrival Countries

The following passport holders can receive a multiple-entry 90-day UAE visa on arrival:

Full 90-Day UAE Visa on Arrival Eligibility List
Albania, Argentina, Armenia
Australia, Austria, 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, Guyana, 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
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

The permission is valid for six months from its issue date and allows stays totalling 90 days within that six-month period.

It does not provide 90 days after every entry.

Example: If you spend 35 days in the UAE, leave and return during the same visa-validity period, you would normally have 55 days remaining.

180-Day UAE Visa on Arrival for Mexican Passport Holders

Mexican passport holders qualify for a multiple-entry UAE arrival visa that permits stays totalling 180 days.

The visa is valid for six months from its issue date. The 180-day allowance is cumulative and does not restart each time the traveller enters the UAE.

UAE Visa on Arrival for Indian Passport Holders

An Indian passport does not automatically qualify for UAE VOA. Indian nationals must meet additional immigration conditions.

There are two important routes, and travellers should not confuse them.

Indian Passport With a Qualifying Residence Permit

Under the expanded federal programme, Indian ordinary passport holders may qualify for a 14-day or 60-day visa when they hold a valid residence permit from:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• EU member state
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Japan
• Singapore
• South Korea

The same duration and extension rules apply: the 14-day visa may be extended once, while the 60-day single-entry visa cannot be extended.

Indian Passport With a US Visa or Green Card

Emirates also publishes a separate pre-approved 14-day route for eligible Indian nationals.

It covers Indian passport holders with:

• A valid US visa
• A US Green Card
• A valid UK visa or residence permit
• A valid EU visa or residence permit
• A qualifying residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore or South Korea

A normal Indian passport must generally have at least six months of validity. Emirates lists a fee of USD 63 for its single-entry, 14-day pre-approved service.

A US tourist visa, Green Card, UK eVisa, EU visa and European residence permit are different documents. Ask your operating airline to verify the exact document and remaining validity before departure.

Complete UAE Visa on Arrival Eligibility Table

Passport or Category	Stay Allowed	Entry Type	Special Condition	Extension
GCC citizens	Visa-free	Multiple	GCC citizenship required	Not applicable
30-day eligible passports	30 days	As recorded by immigration	No advance standard visa normally required	Check individual file
90-day eligible passports	90 days in total	Multiple entry	Visa valid for six months	No automatic extension
Mexico	180 days in total	Multiple entry	Visa valid for six months	No automatic extension
India	14 or 60 days	Category-dependent	Qualifying residence permit or eligible airline route	14-day: once; 60-day: no
Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Kenya and South Africa	14 or 60 days	Single entry for 60-day category	Approved foreign residence permit	14-day: once; 60-day: no
Foreign GCC residents	30 days	Usually single entry	Online eVisa required	Once for another 30 days

UAE Visa on Arrival Requirements

You must satisfy both passport eligibility and UAE entry conditions.

• Eligible nationality: The passport must appear in the relevant nationality list.
• Correct passport type: Standard rules generally apply to ordinary passports.
• Passport validity: UAE guidance states that passports should generally remain valid for at least six months from the entry date.
• Qualifying residence permit: Required for newly eligible conditional nationalities.
• Matching personal details: Names, dates of birth and passport numbers must match across all documents.
• Temporary visit purpose: A UAE visit visa does not authorise employment.
• Valid return plan: Airline or immigration staff may ask for an onward or return ticket.
• No immigration restriction: Previous overstays, deportation records or unpaid fines may affect entry.
• Airline approval: Your airline must be satisfied that you meet the current UAE travel requirements.
• Final border approval: The immigration officer retains the final decision at UAE border entry.

A biometric passport may support faster airport processing, but it does not guarantee admission.

Documents Required for UAE Visa on Arrival

Keep these travel documents available in printed and digital form:

• Original passport: Normally valid for at least six months
• Recent photograph: White background for conditional GDRFA applications
• Valid residence permit: Required under the expanded 2026 category
• Foreign visa or Green Card: When using an eligible Indian passport route
• Visa approval email: Required when pre-approval has been issued
• Return or onward flight ticket: To show that you intend to leave on time
• Hotel reservation: Or the full address of your UAE host
• Host identification: Passport, residence visa or Emirates ID copy where relevant
• Proof of sufficient funds: Carry accessible evidence for your planned stay
• Family relationship documents: Useful for accompanying spouses and children
• Travel insurance: Strongly recommended for medical and trip disruption risks

UAE Visa on Arrival Duration and Validity

Visa duration and visa validity are different.

Visa duration means the number of days you may remain inside the UAE. Visa validity means the period during which the visa remains active or can be used.

UAE Entry Category	Stay Duration	Validity or Main Rule
30-day UAE VOA	30 days	Check the entry record
90-day UAE VOA	90 days in total	Valid for six months
Mexican UAE VOA	180 days in total	Valid for six months
Conditional UAE VOA	14 days	Extendable once for 14 days
Conditional UAE VOA	60 days	Single entry and non-extendable
GCC resident eVisa	30 days	Extendable once for 30 days
UAE transit visa	48 or 96 hours	Single entry and non-extendable

The official UAE Government states that transit visas are issued for either 48 or 96 hours and cannot be extended.

Can a UAE Visa on Arrival Be Extended?

Extension availability depends on the visa category.

The newly expanded 14-day visa may be extended once for another 14 days. The 60-day visa cannot be extended.

GDRFA Dubai also offers an arrival-visa extension service for certain eligible travellers. Its published extension service lists an AED 600 extension fee, plus applicable taxes and in-country charges. This service does not create a universal right to extend every UAE VOA.

Before your stay expires:

• Check your immigration file through ICP UAE or GDRFA Dubai.
• Confirm whether your visa category is extendable.
• Submit the request before the authorised stay ends.
• Do not assume that an application automatically stops overstay fines.

UAE Visa on Arrival vs Pre-Arranged UAE Visit Visa

Feature	UAE Visa on Arrival	Pre-Arranged UAE Visit Visa
Eligibility	Limited passport list or conditional category	Available to a wider range of nationalities
Application timing	At arrival or through a VOA approval service	Before departure
Common duration	14, 30, 60, 90 or 180 days	Commonly 30 or 60 days
Entry type	Single or multiple entry	Single or multiple entry
Sponsor	Usually unnecessary for standard VOA	May involve an airline, hotel, agency or resident
Approval before flying	Not always	Usually issued before departure
Extension	Depends on VOA category	Depends on visit visa type
Best for	Eligible short-term visitors	Travellers who do not qualify for VOA

Travellers who are not included in the visit visa on arrival countries must arrange a suitable UAE tourist visa or entry permit before departure.

For broader Gulf travel, visa, policy and regional updates, visit.

UAE Visa on Arrival at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Airports

Dubai Airport Immigration

GDRFA Dubai handles Dubai immigration files. Standard 30-, 90- and 180-day eligible passport holders can normally proceed to immigration after arriving at Dubai International Airport.

Visitors may be selected for random eye screening. Emirates advises travellers with pre-issued visa confirmation to carry a printed copy.

Abu Dhabi Airport Immigration

Immigration services for Abu Dhabi operate through the federal ICP system. Travellers should carry their passport, supporting residence permit, return ticket and accommodation details.

Sharjah Airport Immigration

Eligible travellers may also complete UAE airport immigration at Sharjah Airport. The underlying passport eligibility remains federal, although the processing authority differs from Dubai.

For visa validity and application tracking, the official UAE Government directs Dubai applicants to GDRFA and applicants for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah to ICP.

GCC Residents and UAE Entry Rules

A foreign national living in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait or Oman does not automatically qualify for UAE visa-free entry.

GCC residents and their accompanying travellers generally need to apply online for an eVisa before travelling. The UAE Government states that this eVisa is valid for 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days.

Eligibility can depend on:

• Passport validity
• GCC residence permit validity
• Profession or occupation
• Travel purpose
• Immigration approval

Common Reasons UAE Visa on Arrival Is Refused

UAE airport immigration or the airline may refuse travel when:

• The passport has less than the required validity
• The nationality is not eligible
• The applicant holds a non-standard travel document
• The required residence permit has expired
• Digital residence status cannot be verified
• Names or passport numbers do not match
• The passport is damaged
• Return or onward travel is unclear
• Accommodation details are missing
• Previous UAE overstay fines remain unpaid
• An immigration or security restriction exists
• False or altered documents are presented
• The traveller intends to work using tourist entry
• GCC residence is incorrectly treated as automatic VOA eligibility

UAE Travel Checklist Before Flying

• Verify eligibility using your exact passport.
• Recheck the rules close to departure.
• Keep at least six months of passport validity.
• Obtain pre-approval where the service requires it.
• Ask the airline to verify conditional documents.
• Print digital visas and residence permits.
• Carry your hotel booking or host address.
• Keep a return or onward ticket available.
• Check each family member separately.
• Confirm your permitted stay after immigration.
• Track cumulative days on multiple-entry visas.
• Apply for an extension before the expiry date.
• Avoid agents promising guaranteed UAE border entry.

Frequently Asked Questions About UAE Visa on Arrival

What changed in the UAE visa on arrival list in 2026?

The UAE added Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa to the conditional 14-day and 60-day visa programme on June 25, 2026. India was already included.

Who is eligible for UAE visa on arrival in 2026?

Eligibility includes GCC citizens under visa-free entry, passports in the 30-, 90- and 180-day categories, and qualifying nationals of India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa.

Do all Filipinos now get a UAE visa on arrival?

No. A Filipino applicant must hold an ordinary passport and a valid residence permit from one of the approved countries.

Can South African passport holders get UAE VOA?

Yes, qualifying South African ordinary passport holders can obtain a 14-day or 60-day visa when they meet the residence permit conditions.

Can Indian passport holders get UAE visa on arrival?

Yes, but only when they satisfy additional requirements involving an accepted foreign residence permit, US visa, Green Card, UK immigration status or EU immigration document, depending on the application route.

Can an Indian passport holder with a US visa enter Dubai?

Eligible Indian nationals with a qualifying US visa may use Emirates’ pre-approved, single-entry 14-day route. Airline and immigration approval still apply.

Can a US Green Card holder get UAE visa on arrival?

A Green Card does not create eligibility for every passport holder. Current Emirates guidance specifically recognises it for qualifying Indian nationals.

Is a UK residence permit accepted for UAE VOA?

Yes, a valid UK residence permit is accepted under the expanded conditional programme for eligible nationalities.

Is a Schengen visa accepted for Indian passport holders?

Emirates accepts a valid visa or residence permit issued by an EU member state under its Indian pre-approved route. Travellers should ask the airline to verify their exact document before departure.

How many days is the UAE visa on arrival?

The permitted stay may be 14, 30, 60, 90 or 180 days, depending on nationality and entry category.

Is the 90-day UAE visa valid for every trip?

No. It allows 90 days in total during a six-month validity period.

Which passport receives a 180-day UAE visa on arrival?

Mexican passport holders qualify for a multiple-entry visa allowing stays totalling 180 days during six months.

Is UAE visa on arrival free?

The standard 30-day UAE VOA is issued free of charge. The newly expanded 14-day and 60-day categories have visa and processing fees.

Can a UAE visa on arrival be extended?

The conditional 14-day visa may be extended once. The conditional 60-day visa cannot be extended. Other categories must be checked individually.

Do GCC residents get UAE visa on arrival?

Foreign GCC residents normally require an online eVisa. GCC residence does not provide automatic visa-free entry.

Can transit passengers leave a UAE airport?

Transit passengers may leave the airport only when they qualify for visa-free entry, UAE VOA or an approved 48- or 96-hour transit visa.

Is UAE visa on arrival available at Abu Dhabi Airport?

Yes. Eligible travellers can complete entry formalities at authorised UAE airports, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

Does visa on arrival guarantee UAE entry?

No. The airline may refuse boarding when documents are insufficient, and the immigration officer makes the final UAE border entry decision.

Conclusion

The most important UAE immigration update for 2026 is the expansion of the conditional visa-on-arrival programme to six new nationalities: Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa.

These travellers join eligible Indian nationals, but they must hold a valid residence permit from an approved country. Depending on eligibility, the visa allows a 14-day extendable stay or a 60-day single-entry, non-extendable stay.

The wider UAE visit visa on arrival system remains divided into 30-day, 90-day and 180-day passport categories. Before flying, confirm your passport eligibility, residence permit, passport validity, application channel and exact permitted stay through, or your airline.

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