UAE Extends Its 14-Day and 60-Day Visas to Nationals of Six Countries Living Abroad

On 25 June 2026, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the country had expanded its programme to nationals of six more countries who reside outside their home countries. Under the decision, holders of ordinary passports from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa — together with their accompanying family members — can be issued a visa, provided they hold a valid residence permit from a designated country. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) said the move broadens the scope of beneficiaries and aligns the UAE’s visa framework with global best practice. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs' announcement of 25 June 2026 gives a total issuance fee of AED 100 for the 14-day visa and AED 250 for the 60-day visa (mofa.gov.ae, read 11 October 2026).

Once either visa expires, the holder must leave the country; an overstay fine of AED 50 per day applies to anyone who remains beyond the permitted period. ICP's visa extension service lists this per-day fine for a stay beyond the permitted period (icp.gov.ae, read 21 October 2026).

The qualifying residence permit is the key condition: the scheme is designed for nationals of these six countries who already live in one of the nine designated countries.

The UAE is home to large communities from several of these countries — Filipinos in particular are among the Emirates’ biggest expatriate groups. For UAE residents, the most practical effect is on visiting relatives and friends.

It is worth being clear about who this does not cover. The facility depends on holding a qualifying residence permit, so a national of one of the six countries who lives in their home country, or anywhere outside the nine designated countries, is not covered and would still need a UAE visit visa. In those cases, a sponsor in the UAE can arrange a standard visit visa on the traveller’s behalf.

1. 1GDRFA Dubai says nationals of India, Kenya, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and South Africa who hold a valid visa or residence permit valid for at least six months, with a residence permit issued by the United States, an EU member state, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada, apply online at smart.gdrfad.gov.ae and receive the visa by email once approved; the holder may enter within 30 days of issue and may stay 14 days, extendable once for the same period, or 60 days, not extendable (gdrfad.gov.ae, read 25 October 2026).
2. 2Check that they hold a valid residence permit from the United States, an EU member state, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
3. 3Choose the right option before travelling — a 14-day stay (extendable once) or a 60-day stay (non-extendable).
4. 4If the traveller does not qualify, a standard UAE visit visa must be arranged through a UAE sponsor.

This update is based on the announcement by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP), published on 25 June 2026. The expanded programme applies to nationals of the six listed countries who hold a qualifying residence permit. This analysis is provided for informational purposes to help UAE residents understand the change. It does not constitute legal advice. For the latest official information, always refer to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mofa.gov.ae) and the ICP (icp.gov.ae).