Quick Answer: Most Philippine passport holders need to apply for a Dubai visa online before they travel. Since June 25, 2026, Filipinos who hold a valid residence permit from the US, UK, an EU country, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, or South Korea can get a visa on arrival instead: 14 days for AED 100 or 60 days for AED 250. Everyone else applies online for a 30-day or 60-day tourist visa using a passport valid for six months, a photo, a return ticket, and a hotel booking. Before leaving the Philippines, you'll also need to register on eTravel and be ready for Bureau of Immigration departure checks.
Dubai Visa Online for Philippine Citizens: Requirements, Documents, Fees & How to Apply (2026)
Dubai is one of the most popular destinations for Filipino travelers. Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos live and work in the UAE, so many trips are family visits, holidays, or visits to friends. For most Philippine passport holders, the first step is the same: getting a UAE visa approved before you fly.
This guide explains who needs to apply online, the June 2026 visa-on-arrival change for Filipinos with certain residence permits, which visa to choose, the documents you'll need, and what to expect at Philippine immigration before departure.
Do Filipinos Need a Visa for Dubai?
Yes, in most cases. Philippine passport holders need a pre-arranged UAE visa to visit Dubai. The visa is issued electronically, so you don't need to visit the UAE Embassy in Manila or submit your passport. You apply online, receive your e-visa by email, and present it at check-in and at UAE immigration.
From June 25, 2026, the UAE introduced visa on arrival for Filipinos who hold ordinary passports and a valid residence permit from one of these countries:
• United States
• United Kingdom
• European Union member states
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Japan
• Singapore
• South Korea
Accompanying family members of eligible travelers can also qualify.
If you live in the Philippines and don't hold one of these residence permits, you'll need to apply for your Dubai visa online before your trip.
Visa on Arrival for Eligible Filipinos: 14 or 60 Days
Filipinos who qualify can choose between two visas at the airport in the UAE:
14-day visa for AED 100. This can be extended once while you're in the UAE, for an additional fee.
60-day visa for AED 250. This covers a single longer stay and cannot be extended.
Overstaying either visa costs AED 50 per day.
Carry your residence permit card with your passport. It must be valid on the date you arrive. Immigration officers decide whether to grant the visa, so it's worth keeping your hotel booking and return ticket to hand.
Which Dubai Visa Should Filipinos Apply For Online?
If you don't qualify for visa on arrival, choose the visa that fits your trip:
30-day tourist visa (single entry): The most common choice for holidays and short family visits.
60-day tourist visa (single entry): Better for longer visits with relatives or friends living in the UAE.
Multiple-entry tourist visas: Useful if you'll leave the UAE and return during your trip, for example a side trip to Oman.
Transit visas (48 or 96 hours): For Filipinos with a long layover in Dubai who want to leave the airport. These are usually arranged through the airline.
Visit visa sponsored by a UAE resident: A family member or friend living in the UAE can sponsor your visit through GDRFA or ICP, subject to income requirements. The minimum monthly salary is AED 4,000 for first-degree relatives, AED 8,000 for second- and third-degree relatives, and AED 15,000 for friends.
See our available visa types for a full comparison.
Dubai Visa Requirements for Philippine Citizens
To apply for a Dubai visa online, you'll need:
• Philippine passport valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
• Passport-size photo that's recent, in color, and on a white background.
• Confirmed return or onward ticket showing you'll leave the UAE before your visa expires.
• Hotel booking or host's address for your stay in Dubai.
• Working email address where your e-visa will be sent.
Depending on your profile, you may also be asked for:
• Bank statements or other proof you can cover your trip.
• Certificate of employment or other proof of ties to the Philippines.
• Sponsor's documents if a UAE resident is sponsoring your visit, including their passport, residence visa, and Emirates ID.
Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport, including your full middle name. Name mismatches are one of the most common reasons applications are delayed.
Dubai Visa Fees for Filipinos
Online tourist visa fees depend on the visa length and the number of entries. A 30-day single-entry visa is the most affordable option, while 60-day and multiple-entry visas cost more. Some providers add service fees, insurance, or VAT on top of the government fee, so compare the total before paying.
Check current prices for each visa type on our apply page.
If you qualify for visa on arrival, you pay at the UAE airport instead: AED 100 for 14 days or AED 250 for 60 days.
How to Apply for a Dubai Visa Online from the Philippines
1. Check if you qualify for visa on arrival. If you hold a residence permit from one of the nine approved countries, you may not need to apply online. Everyone else continues below.
2. Choose your visa. Pick a 30-day or 60-day visa, and single or multiple entry.
3. Prepare your documents. Scan your passport bio page, take a compliant photo, and have your flight and hotel bookings ready.
4. Complete the online form. Apply online through Express Visa Dubai, entering your details exactly as they appear on your passport.
5. Upload documents and pay. Upload your scans and pay the fee by card.
6. Track your application. Most applications are processed within a few working days. You can track your application at any time.
7. Download your e-visa. Check every detail on the PDF, especially your name, passport number, and dates.
8. Print copies. Carry a printed e-visa with your passport and return ticket. You'll need to show it at check-in and at Philippine immigration.
Before You Leave the Philippines: Departure Checks
Having a UAE visa doesn't automatically mean you'll clear Philippine immigration. The Bureau of Immigration screens departing Filipinos under the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) guidelines, and the UAE is a destination officers pay close attention to.
As a tourist, you should have:
• Passport with at least six months' validity.
• Boarding pass.
• UAE e-visa or proof you qualify for visa on arrival.
• Return ticket.
• eTravel registration completed online before your flight.
Officers may also ask for supporting documents, especially for first-time travelers or those visiting relatives. It helps to carry your hotel booking, proof of employment or business, bank statements, and, if someone in the UAE is hosting you, a copy of their Emirates ID and proof of your relationship.
The Philippine travel tax may also apply. It is often included in your airline ticket, but check before you arrive at the airport.
Important: A tourist visa is only for tourism and family visits. Filipinos going to the UAE for work must go through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and hold the proper work documents. Traveling on a tourist visa to look for work is a common reason travelers are stopped at departure, and working on a visit visa is illegal in the UAE.
Common Mistakes Filipinos Make When Applying
• Assuming visa on arrival applies to everyone. Only Filipinos with an approved residence permit qualify.
• Missing or mismatched middle names. Your visa must match your passport exactly.
• Passports with less than six months' validity. Airlines and the Bureau of Immigration will stop you.
• Poor-quality photos or scans. Blurry or dark uploads delay approval.
• Forgetting eTravel. Register online before your flight to avoid delays at the airport.
• Not carrying supporting documents. A printed hotel booking and proof of employment can save a lot of questions at departure.
• Using a tourist visa to find work. This can lead to offloading in Manila and fines or deportation in the UAE.
• Applying too late. Allow at least one to two weeks, especially around Christmas, Holy Week, and summer holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Filipinos need a visa for Dubai?
Yes. Most Philippine passport holders need a pre-arranged UAE visa. Only Filipinos with a valid residence permit from the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, or South Korea can get a visa on arrival.
Can Filipinos apply for a Dubai visa online?
Yes. Filipinos can apply for a Dubai tourist visa entirely online. You upload your documents, pay the fee, and receive the e-visa by email.
How much is the Dubai visa on arrival for Filipinos?
For eligible Filipinos, the 14-day visa on arrival costs AED 100 and can be extended once. The 60-day visa costs AED 250 and cannot be extended.
Can Filipinos with a US visa get a visa on arrival in Dubai?
The UAE's official announcement refers to valid residence permits from the approved countries. Some Philippine reports also mention valid visas and green cards. If you only hold a US tourist visa, confirm with your airline or the UAE Embassy in Manila before relying on visa on arrival, or apply online in advance to be safe.
How long does a Dubai visa take for Filipinos?
Most online applications are processed within a few working days. Apply at least one to two weeks before your flight.
Can a relative in Dubai sponsor my visit visa?
Yes. A UAE resident with a valid residence visa and Emirates ID can sponsor your visit if they meet the income requirement for your relationship. Second- and third-degree relatives, such as siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles, need a monthly salary of at least AED 8,000.
What documents do I need at Philippine immigration when going to Dubai?
Your passport, boarding pass, UAE visa, return ticket, and eTravel registration. Officers may also ask for supporting documents such as a hotel booking, proof of employment, or your host's details.
Can I work in Dubai on a tourist visa?
No. Working on a tourist or visit visa is illegal in the UAE. Filipinos going to work abroad must process their deployment through the DMW.
Final Word
For most Filipinos, a Dubai trip starts with an online visa application. If you hold a residence permit from one of the nine approved countries, visa on arrival may be simpler. Either way, prepare clear documents that match your passport exactly, register on eTravel, and carry supporting papers for departure checks in the Philippines.
Ready to travel? Start your Dubai visa application online, read our visa FAQ, or contact us if you're not sure which visa you need.