UAE Visa on Arrival Countries 2026: Full List

Who qualifies for UAE visa on arrival

The United Arab Emirates issues a visa on arrival to citizens of more than 120 countries who present an eligible passport at a UAE port of entry. The visa on arrival is stamped directly into the passport at immigration and removes the need to apply for an entry permit before travelling. This page covers the on-arrival category specifically; travellers whose nationality is not on the eligible list must instead complete an entry-permit application, which is explained in our guide on how to check UAE visa requirements by nationality.

Eligibility depends on the passport you hold, not your country of residence. The two main on-arrival tiers grant either a 90-day stay or a 30-day stay. A separate group of nationalities does not receive a visa on arrival and must pre-apply online. The quick-facts table below summarises the three tiers.

UAE visa on arrival countries grouped by stay length

The United Arab Emirates organises on-arrival access into clear tiers. The table below groups representative countries by the duration each receives. The complete country roster changes when the UAE updates its agreements, so confirm the full list against the official UAE immigration source before you fly.

Citizens of the United Kingdom receive a 90-day visit visa on arrival; full details for British travellers appear in our breakdown of UAE visa rules for UK passport holders. Citizens of the United States likewise receive 90 days on arrival, covered in our guide to UAE visa rules for US passport holders.

India: 30-day on-arrival conditions

India sits in the standard tier. Indian passport holders can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival when they hold an eligible visa or residence permit from the United States, the United Kingdom, or a European Union country, with an on-arrival fee of approximately AED 100 (USD 27) [VERIFY]. Indian travellers without such a document must instead obtain an entry permit before departure. To verify your exact category quickly, run your passport details through the Dubai visa checker tool that confirms entry requirements.

Tier 1: the 90-day long-stay group

Tier 1 is the most generous on-arrival category the United Arab Emirates offers. Passport holders in this group receive a 90-day stay within a 180-day window, stamped at immigration without any prior application. The group includes the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and most European Union member states such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands [VERIFY full list]. A traveller in this tier presents a valid passport, a return ticket, and proof of accommodation, and the immigration officer issues the stamp at the counter. The 90-day allowance suits longer holidays, business visits, and family stays, and it is the reason many Western travellers can plan extended UAE itineraries without paperwork before departure.

The 90-day count refers to the total days permitted inside the 180-day reference period, not 90 days per single entry only [VERIFY]. Travellers who plan multiple trips within six months should track their cumulative days to avoid an unintended overstay. Because the United Arab Emirates updates its bilateral arrangements periodically, a country that grants 90 days today may shift tiers later, so confirm your nationality against the official UAE immigration source close to your travel date.

Tier 3: nationalities that must pre-apply

Tier 3 covers every nationality that is not on the on-arrival list. Travellers in this group do not receive a stamp at the border and must instead obtain an entry permit online before they travel. The entry permit is usually arranged through a UAE-based sponsor such as a hotel, airline, or licensed agent, and approval must be in hand before boarding. Attempting to fly without an approved permit when your passport requires one typically results in denied boarding at the departure airport. Our broader walkthrough of how to check UAE visa requirements by nationality explains the entry-permit steps in detail for travellers in this tier.

How the visa on arrival differs from the application route

The visa on arrival is issued at the UAE border, while the entry-permit route requires an online application and approval before you board. Travellers in Tier 1 and eligible Tier 2 cases never lodge a pre-arrival application. Everyone else, including most nationalities outside the eligible list, must apply in advance, which is a different process from the on-arrival stamp described here.

• Visa on arrival is stamped at immigration; no prior online step is needed.
• Entry permits are approved before travel and are mandatory for non-eligible passports.
• Stay length is fixed by your tier, not by how you enter.

Fees, validity and extensions

Most Tier 1 on-arrival stamps for the 90-day stay carry no fee at the point of entry [VERIFY]. The Indian 30-day on-arrival fee is approximately AED 100 (USD 27) [VERIFY]. Overstaying the granted period triggers a daily fine, so note your exit date the moment your passport is stamped. Extension options and their costs vary by category and are confirmed by the UAE immigration authority [VERIFY].

Extension policies depend on the entry category and are set by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security [VERIFY]. Some visit visas can be extended in-country for an additional period, while others require the traveller to exit and re-enter. The fines for overstaying accrue per day and are payable before departure, so confirm your permitted stay at the moment of entry and plan your exit accordingly. If your plans change while you are in the country, contact a licensed agent or the immigration authority well before your stamp expires rather than on the final day.

Common reasons a visa on arrival is refused

An eligible nationality does not guarantee entry, because the immigration officer makes the final decision at the border. The most frequent reasons a visa on arrival is declined are an expired or damaged passport, a passport with fewer than six months of validity, the absence of a return or onward ticket, and unresolved previous overstays or entry bans. Travellers should also ensure their passport has at least one blank page for the stamp. Presenting clear, organised documents at the counter reduces delays and avoids secondary questioning.

• Passport validity under six months from the arrival date.
• No confirmed return or onward flight on the booking.
• A prior UAE overstay or unsettled fine on record.
• For the Indian visa-linked route, a missing or expired US, UK, or EU document.

Documents to carry at the UAE border

• A passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
• A confirmed return or onward flight ticket.
• Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking.
• For Indian travellers using the visa-linked route, the eligible US, UK, or EU visa or residence document.

Frequently asked questions