Quick Answer: Hongkongers travelling on a Hong Kong SAR (HKSAR) passport do not need a visa for Dubai. Since 15 May 2025, HKSAR passport holders can enter the UAE visa-free and stay for up to 30 days. You need a passport valid for at least six months and a return or onward ticket. Holders of a British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport are treated differently and must arrange a UAE visa before travel. Anyone planning to stay longer than 30 days, work, or study also needs a separate visa.
Dubai Visa for Hongkongers: Visa-Free Entry, Requirements & How to Stay Longer (2026-2027)
Dubai is one of the easiest long-haul trips for Hong Kong travellers. There are direct flights from Hong Kong International Airport, and for most Hongkongers there is no visa application to worry about. But the rules depend on which passport you travel on, and a 30-day limit applies. Travellers who hold a BN(O) passport, plan a longer stay, or travel with family members on other passports need to prepare differently.
This guide covers the current entry rules for Hongkongers, what to bring, how long you can stay, and when you do need to apply for a UAE visa.
Do Hongkongers Need a Visa for Dubai?
No, if you travel on an HKSAR passport. From 15 May 2025, the UAE upgraded HKSAR passport holders from visa on arrival to visa-free entry, according to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. You can stay up to 30 days without applying for anything in advance, and there is no visa fee.
Dubai is one of seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, so the same rule covers Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and the rest of the country. At immigration, your passport is stamped on arrival.
The answer is different for Hongkongers who travel on another passport, so check which one you'll use before you book.
HKSAR Passport vs BN(O) Passport
Many Hongkongers hold more than one travel document, and UAE immigration applies the rules for the passport you present.
HKSAR passport holders enter the UAE visa-free for up to 30 days. No application or fee is needed before travel.
British National (Overseas) passport holders are not covered by the HKSAR visa-free arrangement. BN(O) holders generally need a pre-arranged UAE visa, which can be obtained online through a visa service, a UAE sponsor, or the airline when flying with carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, or flydubai. If you plan to travel on your BN(O) passport, apply for your UAE visa online before you fly.
British citizen passport holders (for example, Hongkongers who have naturalised in the UK) follow the rules for British citizens, which allow visa-free entry.
Hong Kong residents with other nationalities (for example, foreign domestic helpers or residents holding a Philippine, Indonesian, Indian, or other passport) follow the rules for their own nationality. A Hong Kong identity card does not by itself give visa-free access to the UAE. Check your nationality on our country visa pages.
Whichever passport you enter with, leave the UAE on the same passport. The UAE enforces strict exit controls.
Dubai Entry Requirements for HKSAR Passport Holders
Even without a visa, you'll need the following at check-in in Hong Kong and at UAE immigration:
• HKSAR passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
• Return or onward ticket showing you'll leave the UAE within 30 days.
• Accommodation details such as your hotel booking or the address of the person you're staying with.
• Sufficient funds for your stay. Immigration can ask, although it rarely does.
• Prescription documents for any medicines you carry. Some medicines that are legal in Hong Kong, including certain painkillers, sleeping pills, and ADHD medicines, are controlled in the UAE and need a prescription or prior approval. CBD products are banned outright.
Airlines check passport validity before boarding, so a passport with less than six months left can stop your trip at Hong Kong International Airport.
How Long Can Hongkongers Stay in Dubai?
HKSAR passport holders can stay up to 30 days per visit. Your 30 days start on the day you enter the UAE.
If you need more time, you have two main options:
Extend your stay from inside the UAE. Visitors can apply to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) for an extension before their permitted stay ends. The UAE Consulate General in Hong Kong advises applying at least three days before expiry. Extensions are chargeable and granted at the authorities' discretion.
Apply for a longer tourist visa before travelling. If you already know your trip will run beyond 30 days, a 60-day tourist visa arranged in advance is usually simpler than an extension. See our visa types for options.
Overstaying leads to daily fines and can cause problems when you leave or try to return.
When Hongkongers Do Need a UAE Visa
You'll need to arrange a visa before travel if any of these apply:
• You travel on a BN(O) passport rather than your HKSAR passport.
• You plan to stay longer than 30 days and prefer not to rely on an extension.
• You're going to work in the UAE, including short-term contracts or paid events. Working on visa-free entry is illegal.
• You plan to study or live in the UAE, which requires a residence visa.
• You're travelling with family members on other passports. A spouse or domestic helper with a different nationality may need their own visa, even if you don't.
For all of these, Express Visa Dubai can handle the application online. You can apply here and track your application until the e-visa is issued.
Step-by-Step: Travelling from Hong Kong to Dubai
1. Check which passport you'll use. HKSAR passport holders travel visa-free. BN(O) and other passport holders should check whether they need a visa before booking.
2. Check your passport validity. Make sure it's valid for at least six months from your arrival date. Renew early through the Immigration Department if needed.
3. Book a return or onward flight. Keep your trip within 30 days unless you've arranged a longer visa.
4. Review your medications. Check the UAE's controlled medicines list and carry prescriptions and a doctor's letter.
5. Check the latest travel alert. The Hong Kong Security Bureau placed an Amber Outbound Travel Alert on the UAE on 23 March 2026 due to regional tension, with possible flight disruptions. Check the current alert level, register with the Registration of Outbound Travel Information (ROTI) service, and confirm your flight before departure.
6. Arrive and pass immigration. Present your HKSAR passport. There's no form to fill in and no fee.
7. Track your 30 days. Note your entry date. If you need more time, apply for an extension before your stay ends.
8. Leave on the same passport. Exit with the passport you used to enter.
Common Mistakes Hongkongers Make
• Using the wrong passport. Visa-free entry applies to the HKSAR passport, not the BN(O) passport.
• Assuming a Hong Kong ID card is enough. Residents who hold other nationalities follow their own passport's visa rules.
• Passport validity under six months. This is the most common reason travellers are refused boarding.
• Staying beyond 30 days. Overstay fines apply daily. Extend or arrange a longer visa in advance.
• Forgetting companions' visas. Family members or domestic helpers on other passports may need a pre-arranged visa.
• Carrying undeclared or controlled medicines. Some everyday Hong Kong medicines are restricted in the UAE.
• Working on visa-free entry. Business meetings are fine, but paid work needs a proper permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Hong Kong passport holders need a visa for Dubai?
No. HKSAR passport holders can enter Dubai and the rest of the UAE visa-free for up to 30 days. No application or fee is required.
How long can Hongkongers stay in Dubai without a visa?
Up to 30 days per visit, counted from the date of entry.
Do BN(O) passport holders need a visa for Dubai?
Yes. The visa-free arrangement covers HKSAR passports only. BN(O) holders should arrange a UAE visa before travel, either online or through their airline.
Is the Dubai visa free for Hongkongers?
Yes. Visa-free entry for HKSAR passport holders has no fee. Charges apply only if you extend your stay or apply for a longer tourist visa.
Can Hongkongers extend their stay in Dubai?
Yes. You can apply to GDRFA for an extension before your 30 days end. Apply at least three days before expiry, and expect a fee. Approval isn't guaranteed.
When did the UAE make entry visa-free for Hongkongers?
From 15 May 2025. Before that, HKSAR passport holders received a 30-day visa on arrival.
Can Hong Kong residents with other passports enter visa-free?
No. Residents who aren't HKSAR passport holders follow the visa rules for their own nationality. A Hong Kong ID card alone doesn't give visa-free entry.
Does visa-free entry cover Abu Dhabi and other emirates?
Yes. Entry through any UAE airport or border covers all seven emirates.
Final Word
For Hongkongers on an HKSAR passport, Dubai is visa-free for up to 30 days: bring a passport with six months' validity and a return ticket, and you're set. The details to watch are which passport you travel on, the 30-day limit, and visas for family members on other passports.
If you're travelling on a BN(O) passport, need more than 30 days, or are booking for family members, start your UAE visa application online or read our visa FAQ.