Visa package
48 Hours Transit Visa
$150
Processing time 24 to 48 hours
No hidden fees, all taxes included. Prices are shown for applicants from United States of America.
Visa package
Processing time 24 to 48 hours
Visa package
Processing time 24 to 48 hours
Visa package
Processing time 24 to 48 hours
Visa package
Processing time 24 to 48 hours
Visa package
Processing time 24 to 48 hours
Planning a trip from the United States to Dubai? Whether you want to enjoy a holiday, visit family, attend business meetings, or explore the United Arab Emirates, understanding the entry requirements before departure will help you prepare for a smooth journey.
The good news is that United States citizens holding regular American passports generally do not need to apply for a Dubai visa before travelling. Eligible US passport holders receive a visa on arrival at the UAE airport, allowing them to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
This makes visiting Dubai relatively straightforward for American tourists and business travellers. However, passport validity, permitted length of stay, and special passport conditions still apply.
This guide explains the Dubai visa requirements for US citizens in 2026, visa-on-arrival conditions, passport requirements, longer-stay options, and important travel information.
No. United States citizens holding regular, non-emergency American passports generally do not need to obtain a UAE visa before travelling to Dubai.
The UAE issues an entry visa on arrival, allowing eligible American passport holders to stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
This arrangement applies to qualifying visits for tourism and other permitted short-term activities. The visa is issued without requiring a separate tourist visa application before departure.
However, some conditions apply:
Your passport should generally be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date.
You must hold a regular American passport rather than an excluded emergency passport.
Your passport must meet the UAE's document requirements.
Your total stay must remain within the permitted 90 days in a 180-day period.
You must comply with UAE immigration rules and the conditions of your entry permission.
The 90-day visa-on-arrival permission is non-renewable under the standard arrangement described by the UAE Embassy. Travellers who want to remain longer should check whether they qualify for another visa or an extension approved by UAE immigration.
For official details, visit the UAE Embassy's visa information for US citizens and the US Department of State's UAE travel information.
The visa-on-arrival arrangement is the main entry option for American citizens visiting Dubai for a short-term stay.
When an eligible US passport holder arrives at a UAE airport, immigration authorities issue the relevant entry permission.
The visitor can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, whether the stay is continuous or divided into several visits.
For example, if you spend 30 days in Dubai, leave the UAE, and return later, the days already spent in the country count towards your permitted 90-day total.
The 180-day calculation is important for travellers who visit the UAE regularly. You should keep track of your previous stays to avoid exceeding the permitted period.
The standard visa-on-arrival permission for eligible US regular passport holders is issued without a visa fee.
Travellers should still budget for flights, accommodation, travel insurance, and other travel expenses.
The standard 90-day visa-on-arrival permission is described as non-renewable by the UAE Embassy.
The US Department of State also advises that visitors who wish to remain longer may request an extension, which is subject to the decision of UAE immigration officials.
Do not assume that an extension will be approved. If you need to stay beyond the permitted period, contact the relevant immigration authority before your authorised stay expires.
Although American citizens generally do not need to apply for a visa in advance, they must meet the UAE's passport and entry requirements.
Your regular American passport should remain valid for at least six months beyond your expected arrival date in the UAE.
Check the expiry date before booking your journey. Airlines may refuse boarding if your passport does not meet the entry requirements.
The visa-on-arrival arrangement applies to qualifying regular US passports.
The UAE does not accept the 12-page US emergency passport for entry. American citizens travelling with an emergency passport should not assume they qualify for the standard visa-on-arrival arrangement.
Make sure your passport details are clear and consistent with your airline booking and other travel documents.
The current US Department of State guidance also states that the UAE does not accept passports with an X sex marker for travel to, in, or through the country. Travellers should review the latest official guidance before departure.
The UAE Embassy advises US visitors to have a confirmed return airline ticket or a confirmed ticket to another destination.
Keeping your travel itinerary accessible can help when airline staff or immigration officers request information about your journey.
Keep your hotel reservation or the address of your accommodation available.
If you are staying with friends or family, have their contact information and address ready if requested.
Since eligible US regular passport holders receive a visa on arrival, they generally do not need to complete a separate tourist visa application before departure.
Follow these steps to prepare for your journey.
Confirm that your regular US passport meets the UAE's validity and document requirements.
If you are travelling with an emergency passport or another type of travel document, contact the UAE authorities and your airline before booking.
Arrange your flight from the United States to Dubai or another UAE airport.
Keep your confirmed return or onward ticket available, as it may be requested during your journey.
Book a hotel or confirm where you will stay during your visit.
Keep your accommodation details accessible in case airline staff or immigration officers request them.
Carry your passport, flight information, hotel details, and any other supporting travel documents.
You do not normally need to submit a separate tourist visa application before travelling if you qualify for the US visa-on-arrival arrangement.
Upon arrival, proceed through UAE immigration.
Eligible American passport holders can receive the visa-on-arrival permission, subject to immigration checks and the applicable entry conditions.
Keep track of the number of days you spend in the UAE.
The standard arrangement allows up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Avoid overstaying, even if you have previously left and re-entered the country.
Eligible US citizens generally do not need to apply separately for the standard 30-day or 60-day tourist visa categories before travelling.
The usual visa-on-arrival arrangement allows qualifying American regular passport holders to stay for up to 90 days within 180 days.
However, if you need a different visa category because of your travel purpose or intended stay, you should confirm the appropriate option with UAE immigration.
For visitors who are not eligible for visa on arrival, the UAE offers pre-arranged tourist and visit visa categories, including different stay durations and entry conditions.
Read our Dubai visa procedure guide for general information about pre-arranged UAE visas.
The visa-on-arrival arrangement allows eligible American passport holders to visit the UAE within the permitted 90-day period.
Travellers who frequently enter and leave Dubai should understand how the 90-day allowance is calculated.
The permitted stay is based on the total number of days spent in the UAE during the relevant 180-day period, rather than providing a completely new 90-day allowance every time you return.
If you leave the UAE and come back, your previous days of stay still count towards the permitted total.
For other visa categories, the entry conditions may differ. Read our guide to Dubai single-entry and multiple-entry visas for more information.
American citizens holding qualifying regular passports generally do not need to arrange a separate visa before travelling through the UAE, provided they meet the visa-on-arrival conditions.
If you are connecting through Dubai and intend to leave the airport, you can generally use the applicable entry permission on arrival.
However, travellers using diplomatic or official US passports must obtain the required visa before travelling if they intend to enter the UAE. Transit passengers using these passports generally need a visa only if they plan to leave the airport.
For more information about short stopovers and transit arrangements, visit our Dubai transit visa guide.
No. A tourist or visa-on-arrival permission does not authorise employment in the UAE.
American citizens who intend to work in Dubai must obtain the appropriate employment authorisation and residence permission under UAE regulations.
This generally involves a legitimate employer arranging the required procedures.
If you plan to work or study in the UAE, confirm the correct visa category before travelling. Do not begin employment or study activities on a tourist entry permission unless the relevant authority has authorised them.
Dubai offers a wide range of attractions, from modern architectural landmarks to traditional markets, beaches, and entertainment destinations.
If you are visiting from the United States, consider adding these places to your itinerary.
The Burj Khalifa is one of the world's most recognisable skyscrapers and a major attraction in Dubai.
Visitors can book access to its observation decks and enjoy panoramic views of the city's skyline.
Dubai Mall is a popular shopping and entertainment destination. It offers international retail brands, restaurants, leisure activities, and attractions close to the Burj Khalifa.
Dubai Marina is known for its waterfront promenade, modern buildings, restaurants, and boat experiences.
Visitors can enjoy an evening walk or explore the area through a sightseeing or dinner cruise.
Palm Jumeirah is a famous man-made island featuring luxury hotels, restaurants, beach clubs, and waterfront attractions.
It is a popular destination for visitors interested in Dubai's coastal lifestyle.
Travellers who want to experience the city's heritage can explore Old Dubai, including traditional markets and areas around Dubai Creek.
The district offers a contrast to the modern architecture found in Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina.
A desert safari offers an opportunity to experience the landscape outside the city.
Depending on the package, activities may include dune drives, desert photography, traditional entertainment, and dining experiences. Check the inclusions and safety arrangements before booking.
Before travelling from the United States to Dubai, keep the following points in mind:
Check passport validity: Your regular US passport should generally have at least six months of validity beyond your arrival date.
Understand the 90-day limit: You can generally stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period under the visa-on-arrival arrangement.
Carry a return ticket: Keep your confirmed return or onward flight details accessible.
Keep accommodation details: Have your hotel reservation or host's address available.
Check passport type: The UAE does not accept the 12-page US emergency passport for entry.
Check passport requirements: Review the latest official guidance concerning passport specifications before departure.
Do not overstay: Exceeding your permitted stay can result in fines and immigration complications.
Do not work on a tourist entry permission: Employment requires the appropriate UAE authorisation.
Confirm longer-stay arrangements: If you plan to remain beyond 90 days, contact UAE immigration before your permitted stay expires.
For updated travel information, consult the US Department of State's UAE travel advisory.
No. US citizens holding eligible regular American passports generally receive a visa on arrival in the UAE. They do not need to apply for a tourist visa before travelling for a standard short-term visit.
Eligible US passport holders can generally stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period under the UAE visa-on-arrival arrangement.
Yes. The standard visa-on-arrival permission for eligible US regular passport holders is issued without a visa fee.
Your regular US passport should generally be valid for at least six months beyond your expected arrival date in the UAE.
The standard 90-day visa-on-arrival permission is described as non-renewable by the UAE Embassy. Visitors who need additional time should contact UAE immigration to check whether another extension or visa arrangement is available. Approval is not guaranteed.
Yes, subject to the applicable conditions. However, the total time spent in the UAE must remain within the 90-day allowance during the relevant 180-day period. Previous visits count towards the permitted total.
No. The visa-on-arrival arrangement is not a work permit. American citizens intending to work must obtain the appropriate UAE employment and residence authorisation.
Eligible US citizens holding regular passports generally do not need to arrange a separate visa before travelling through the UAE under the visa-on-arrival arrangement. Different rules apply to diplomatic and official passports, particularly when the traveller intends to leave the airport.
Visitors who need to stay longer should contact UAE immigration about an extension or another suitable visa category. Any additional stay is subject to approval by the relevant authority.
You can consult the UAE Embassy's visa information for US citizens, the US Department of State's UAE travel advisory, and our Dubai visa FAQ page.
Planning a trip from the United States to Dubai is straightforward for eligible American passport holders. The UAE generally provides a visa on arrival, allowing visitors to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without submitting a separate tourist visa application before departure.
Before travelling, check your passport validity, confirm your return or onward flight, and understand the conditions of your permitted stay.
Visit Express Visa Dubai for general UAE visa information and guidance about other tourist and visit visa categories. Always confirm the latest entry requirements before booking your journey.