Do I Need a Visa for Dubai? Visa-Free, On-Arrival and Pre-Approved Rules by Nationality (2026)
Quick answer: It depends on your passport. GCC citizens need no visa. Citizens of about 90 countries, including the US, UK, EU states, Canada, Australia and China, get a free visa on arrival at Dubai airport. Indian nationals, and citizens of Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, South Africa and Kenya, can get a visa on arrival only if they hold a qualifying visa or residence permit from another country. Everyone else, including Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nepali, Egyptian and Nigerian passport holders, needs a pre-approved UAE visa before flying.
This guide explains each category, how long you can stay, and what to do if your nationality needs a visa in advance.
The 4 Ways to Enter Dubai
Every traveller to Dubai falls into one of these entry categories, depending on their passport:
- No visa required: GCC citizens (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain) enter freely, with no fixed stay limit and no application.
- Free 90-day visa on arrival: Citizens of the US, UK, EU/Schengen countries, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Russia and others get a 90-day stamp at the airport. They don't apply in advance.
- Free 30-day visa on arrival: Citizens of Malaysia, Ireland, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Mauritius and others get 30 days on arrival. They don't apply in advance either.
- Conditional visa on arrival: Citizens of India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, South Africa and Kenya can get a 14-day or 60-day visa at the airport, but only if they hold an approved visa or residence permit from another country.
- Pre-approved visa: All other nationalities, such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Nigeria and Iran, must get a 30-day, 60-day or multiple-entry visa before travelling.
Who Can Enter Dubai Without a Visa?
Citizens of the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries can enter the UAE with their passport or national ID card. They don't need a visa or entry permit.
Which Countries Get a Free Visa on Arrival in Dubai?
If your country is on the UAE's visa-on-arrival list, you don't apply for anything. The immigration officer stamps your passport at the airport, and there is no fee.
- 90-day visa on arrival: Most of Europe (including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands), the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Serbia, Maldives and Seychelles.
- 30-day visa on arrival: Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Macau, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Mauritius, Monaco, Andorra and Vatican City.
Do US citizens need a visa for Dubai? No. A US passport gets a free visa on arrival. See our full guide on visa rules for US citizens travelling to Dubai. British citizens are covered by the same rule; non-British UK residents should read about Dubai visa options for UK residents.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date, and you should carry a return or onward ticket.
Can Indians Get a Visa on Arrival in Dubai?
Indian citizens need a visa for Dubai. However, they can get a 14-day visa on arrival, extendable once for 14 more days, if they hold one of these:
- A valid US visa or US Green Card
- A valid visa or residence permit from an EU member state
- A valid residence permit from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea or Singapore
The qualifying document and the Indian passport must both be valid for at least six months. A fee is payable at the airport.
Important 2026 update: UAE authorities have announced that Indian nationals who hold only a UK visa or UK residence permit will no longer qualify. Some reports say this rule is not yet in force, but don't rely on a UK-only document. Get a pre-approved visa before you fly. Read the details in our guide to the Dubai visa on arrival for Indian passport holders.
Indians who don't meet these conditions can get a 30-day or 60-day tourist visa online. It's usually issued within a few working days.
New for 2026: Conditional Visa on Arrival for Six More Countries
From June 2026, the UAE extended its conditional visa-on-arrival scheme to citizens of Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, South Africa and Kenya. To qualify, you need a residence permit from the US, UK, an EU member state, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. You choose one of two options at the airport:
- 14-day visa: AED 100, extendable once for 14 days (AED 250)
- 60-day visa: AED 250, not extendable
The overstay fine under this scheme is AED 50 per day.
Do Indonesians need a visa for Dubai? Yes, unless they meet the residence-permit condition above. Most Indonesian travellers apply online in advance. See the full Dubai visa requirements for Indonesian citizens, including fees. South African travellers can check the Dubai visa guide for South Africans.
Which Nationalities Need a Pre-Approved Visa?
If your passport isn't in any group above, you need a UAE visa before boarding. This includes citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Nigeria, Iran and most African, South Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Airlines check your visa at check-in, so you won't be allowed to board without it.
Pre-approved tourist visas come in several options:
- 30-day or 60-day single-entry tourist visa
- 30-day or 60-day multiple-entry tourist visa
- 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa for frequent visitors
- Transit visa (48 or 96 hours) for layovers
Not sure which suits your trip? Compare a single-entry vs multiple-entry Dubai visa. If you're only changing flights, read about the Dubai transit visa for layovers.
Country-specific rules also apply. Bangladeshi applicants should read our page on the online Dubai visa for Bangladeshi citizens. Nepali travellers can see the tourist visa for Dubai from Nepal. Iranian nationals face extra checks this year; see the Dubai visa restrictions for Iranian travellers.
Suspended nationalities: Since 6 June 2026, the UAE has suspended new visas for nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan as a health precaution. Check the current status before applying.
How to Get a Pre-Approved Dubai Visa
- Choose your visa type based on trip length and number of entries.
- Prepare documents: a passport scan (valid six months or more), a recent photo on a white background, and any supporting documents for your nationality.
- Submit your application online and pay the fee.
- Receive your e-visa by email and carry a printed or digital copy when you travel.
Dubai tourist visas are now often approved within 48 hours, and express processing is available for urgent trips. Typical timelines are covered in our guide to Dubai visa processing times. For a full walkthrough, see how to apply for a Dubai visa online. Already applied? Track your UAE visa application anytime.
Travelling with children? Minors need their own visa. Extra documents apply if a child travels without a parent; see the guide to getting a UAE visa for a minor travelling without a parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to travel to Dubai?
GCC citizens don't. Around 90 nationalities get a free visa on arrival. Indian nationals and six other nationalities can get a conditional visa on arrival, and all other travellers need a pre-approved UAE visa.
Do US citizens need a visa for a Dubai layover?
No. US citizens receive a free visa on arrival, so they can leave the airport during a layover without applying in advance.
Is a Dubai visa valid for the whole UAE?
Yes. A UAE visa issued for Dubai lets you visit all seven emirates, including Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Can I extend a visa on arrival?
The 30-day visa on arrival can usually be extended once for 30 days. The conditional 14-day visa can be extended once for 14 days. The 60-day conditional visa cannot be extended.
What happens if I overstay?
Overstaying leads to daily fines and may affect future visa applications. Exit or extend before your permitted stay ends.
UAE entry rules change often. Before you travel, confirm current requirements with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the GDRFA Dubai, or your airline.
Need a pre-approved Dubai visa? Express Visa Dubai handles 30-day, 60-day and multiple-entry visas for all eligible nationalities, with express options for urgent travel. Start your application.