Visa-on-Arrival for UAE: Which Countries Are Eligible?

Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states enjoy unrestricted entry to the UAE without any visa requirement. GCC nationals can enter using either their passport or national ID card and can stay for an unlimited duration. There is no need to arrange anything in advance.

Citizens of the following countries receive a 90-day visa-free entry stamp upon arrival in the UAE. This allows a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. No visa fee is charged. The entry stamp is placed in the passport at the immigration counter.

A larger group of countries receives a 30-day entry permit upon arrival. For most of these nationalities, the visa-on-arrival is free of charge and stamped directly in the passport. The 30-day stay can typically be extended once for an additional 30 days for a fee.

The 30-day visa-on-arrival can be extended for an additional 30 days by applying through the GDRFA portal, an Amer service centre, or a licensed travel agency before the initial 30 days expire. The extension fee varies but is typically around AED 600 to 900. Overstaying without an extension results in daily fines.

If your nationality is not on the visa-free or visa-on-arrival list, you must arrange a UAE visa before travelling. This includes most South Asian, African, and several Middle Eastern nationalities. The visa must be approved and issued before you board your flight to the UAE.

For nationals who require a pre-arranged visa, the application can be submitted through a UAE-based sponsor, airline, travel agency, or hotel. The most common options are tourist visas through airlines (Emirates, flydubai, Etihad) or visit visas through licensed travel agencies. Processing takes 2 to 5 working days.

If you are transiting through the UAE and your nationality requires a visa, you have several options depending on the length of your layover and whether you want to leave the airport.

If you are connecting between two flights and remain in the transit area (airside) of the airport, you generally do not need any visa. However, if you wish to leave the airport to explore Dubai during a layover, you will need either a transit visa or must be eligible for visa-on-arrival entry.

Even if your nationality qualifies for visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry, there are conditions you must meet. Failing to comply with these rules can result in denied boarding or entry refusal at the UAE border.

1. 1Passport validity — Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. Some airlines may deny boarding if your passport has less than 6 months validity.
2. 2Return or onward ticket — Immigration officers may ask for proof of a return or onward flight, particularly for 30-day entries. Having a confirmed ticket ready helps avoid delays.
3. 3Sufficient funds — While rarely checked at the border, immigration officers can ask you to demonstrate that you have enough money to support your stay. Carry proof of hotel bookings and some cash or card statements.
4. 4No previous deportation or ban — If you have been previously deported from the UAE or have an immigration ban, your visa-free entry will be denied regardless of your nationality.
5. 5No overstay history — Previous overstays can flag your passport in the system and lead to secondary screening or entry denial.
6. 6Clean criminal record — The UAE reserves the right to deny entry to anyone deemed a security risk.

If your passport nationality does not appear on any of the visa-free or visa-on-arrival lists, you need to apply for a UAE visa before travelling. This is the case for billions of people worldwide, including citizens of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Nigeria, and many other populous nations.

The good news is that the UAE visa application process is one of the simplest in the world. You can apply through a UAE airline when you book your flight, through a licensed travel agency, or through a sponsor based in the UAE. The process is entirely online, requires minimal documentation (passport copy and photo), and takes 2 to 5 working days.