PRESS 
A Dubai visa on arrival comes in two very different forms. If your passport is on the UAE's arrival list, you get a free entry stamp at the airport, valid for 30 or 90 days depending on your nationality. If you're from India, Kenya, South Africa, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand or Vietnam, a paid route applies instead. Fourteen days cost AED 100 and 60 days cost AED 250, but only with a qualifying visa or residence permit from a country like the US, the UK or an EU state.
Most confusion comes from mixing up these two routes. A traveller from London and a traveller from Mumbai can stand in the same queue, yet their rules, fees and documents are completely different. Here, we explain who qualifies for each route and what you'll actually pay. We also cover the documents that airlines and officers check, and when a visa arranged before travel is the safer choice.
Dubai Visa on Arrival at a Glance
Before going into detail, this table sums up the routes. Find your passport first, then check the conditions that apply to it.
| Route | Who it covers | Stay | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90-day arrival stamp | Australia, Canada, China, EU states, Japan, the UK, the US and many more | 90 days within six months, multiple entry | Free |
| 30-day arrival stamp | Ireland, Malaysia, Hong Kong and ten others | 30 days | Free |
| Conditional 14-day visa | India plus six nationalities, with a qualifying visa or residence permit | 14 days, extendable once | AED 100 |
| Conditional 60-day visa | The same seven nationalities and conditions | 60 days, single entry, no extension | AED 250 |
On every route, the half-year passport validity rule applies. The conditional route also requires the supporting visa or residence permit to run for six more months. If you don't fit any row, you need a tourist visa arranged before you fly.
What a Dubai Visa on Arrival Actually Is
A visa on arrival is entry permission that UAE immigration grants at the airport, so you don't apply weeks ahead. For most eligible passports, the word "visa" is a little misleading, because there's no form or payment at all. The officer scans your passport, checks it against the system, and records your entry. In other words, you simply walk through.
Strictly speaking, the free Dubai visa on arrival works like visa-free entry. There's no paperwork, and the stamp itself is your permission to stay. Some airlines call it visa-free entry, while others call it a visa on arrival. Both labels describe the same thing, so focus on your nationality and passport validity, not the wording.
The conditional route works differently. It's a real visa with a fee, issued on arrival or arranged in advance online. It also depends on a second document, such as a US visa or a UK residence permit, which immigration examines as closely as your passport. Even so, both routes share one rule: entry is never automatic, and the officer at the counter makes the final decision.
Who Gets a Free Dubai Visa on Arrival by Nationality
The UAE groups visa-free passports into two lists. Holders of passports on the longer list receive a multiple-entry visit visa that is valid for six months, allowing 90 days of stays in total. Holders of passports on the shorter list receive a 30-day stay. In both cases, the entry is free.
| Category | Passports |
|---|---|
| 90 days within six months | Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay |
| 30 days | Andorra, Brunei, Hong Kong, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Macau, Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vatican City |
Lists like this change, so check your nationality again shortly before travel. Your airline applies the same data at check-in, and it won't board you if the system says a visa is required.
US, UK, Canadian and Chinese Passports Now Get 90 Days
Many older articles still say that Americans, Britons, Canadians and Australians receive 30 days. That changed when the UAE moved these passports, along with China, Japan and Singapore, to the longer category. Today they receive 90 days within a six-month period. New Zealand, South Korea, Georgia and the Maldives now follow the same 90-in-180 rule.
The practical result is simple. With one of these passports, you can spend up to three months in Dubai without applying for anything, and you can leave for Oman or elsewhere and come back on the same stamp. However, the days inside the country add up across visits, so keep track of them. The count is explained in our article on Dubai visa validity.
Passports That Must Apply in Advance
If your passport is on neither list and you don't qualify for the conditional route, you need a visa before boarding. That includes many travellers from South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Holidaymakers usually pick a 30-day single-entry visa, while longer family stays are better on the 60-day single-entry visa.
The Conditional Route: India and Six More Nationalities
For several years, this route was open only to Indian citizens. In June 2026, the UAE's immigration authority, the ICP, opened it to six more countries. Ordinary passport holders from Kenya, South Africa, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam now qualify too. You can read the details in the official ICP announcement.
Travellers from these countries who lack a qualifying document still have options. Our country guides for Filipino travellers and Indonesian passport holders explain the standard tourist visa route.
The conditions are the same for all seven nationalities. Your passport must be an ordinary one, with six months or more before expiry. In addition, you need one of these documents, with the same six months of life left:
- United States: a US visa or a green card.
- United Kingdom: a UK visa, including a digital e-visa, or a residence permit.
- European Union: a visa issued by an EU state, or an EU residence permit.
- Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand or Canada: only a residence permit counts here. A visitor visa from these countries doesn't qualify.
Two details catch travellers out. First, Singapore student passes aren't accepted, and an Employment Pass must show its issue and expiry dates. Second, family members travelling with you must meet the same conditions themselves. A spouse without a qualifying visa can't enter on yours.
What If You Hold a US Visa but Another Passport?
This is one of the most common questions we hear. The conditional Dubai visa on arrival is tied to nationality as well as the supporting document. A Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nigerian or Egyptian citizen with a valid US visa or green card doesn't qualify, because those passports aren't among the seven. Travellers from those countries need a tourist visa arranged before departure, however strong their travel history.
The reverse is also true. An Indian citizen without a qualifying document can't use the route, even with a long record of trips abroad. Both conditions must be met on the day you fly.
Dubai Visa on Arrival for Indians
India was the first country on the conditional route, and Indian travellers still use it more than anyone else. If you hold an ordinary Indian passport plus a qualifying document from the US, the UK, the EU or another listed country, you can get a two-week or two-month visa without applying weeks ahead. Without one, you need a tourist visa before you fly, which our Dubai visitor visa from India guide covers.
Check three dates before relying on the arrival route. On arrival day, the passport itself needs half a year left. Your American, British or European visa or residence permit needs the same six months. Finally, the visa's length must cover your whole trip, as you can't switch to a longer visa after arrival.
Which 14-Day or 60-Day Option to Choose
The 14-day visa suits a short holiday or business trip, and you can extend it once for another 14 days while you're in the UAE, for an additional fee. The 60-day visa suits a long family visit, but it's single entry and can't be extended. If you plan a side trip to Oman, you'll need a fresh visa to come back in, so the arrival route isn't ideal for multi-country itineraries.
Dubai Visa on Arrival for US Visa Holders
Indian citizens with a valid US visa are the largest group using this route. The US document can be a visitor, student or work visa, or a green card, as long as it won't expire within six months. An expired US visa, or one with only a few months left, doesn't qualify, even if you've travelled on it many times.
US visa holders pay the same as everyone else on the route. At the airport, the 14-day visa costs AED 100 and the 60-day visa AED 250. At roughly ₹26 per dirham, that comes to about ₹2,600 or ₹6,500. Applying in advance through an airline or a government portal adds service charges, which the next section explains.
Using a UK E-Visa or a Schengen Visa
Indian travellers with UK or Schengen visas qualify too, but the details differ. For the UK, any valid visa counts, including a digital e-visa with no sticker in the passport. Because there's nothing to show at check-in, save your UK e-visa status page as a PDF or screenshot, and carry a printout as well. For Europe, any visa issued by an EU state counts, including a Schengen visitor visa, provided it runs for six more months.
Watch the dates closely. A Schengen visa issued for a two-week holiday may expire long before the six-month mark, so it usually won't qualify. Multi-year Schengen visas and residence permits are the ones that work.
Dubai Visa on Arrival Fees
Fees depend entirely on which route you use. The free stamp costs nothing. The conditional route has a government fee, and the final price rises if you apply in advance through a third party. This table brings the figures together.
| Option | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day or 90-day arrival stamp | Free | Eligible passports only |
| 14-day conditional visa | AED 100 | Extendable once for 14 days at extra cost |
| 60-day conditional visa | AED 250 | Single entry, not extendable |
| 14-day permit through Emirates | USD 63 | Arranged in advance with your booking |
| 60-day permit through Emirates | USD 141.36 | Arranged in advance with your booking |
| Overstay fine | AED 50 per day | Charged on exit for every extra day |
The government fee is the cheapest option, but it means paying and waiting at the airport. Arranging the permit in advance costs more, because service and smart-service charges are added. On the other hand, you board knowing your visa is approved. For comparison with standard tourist visas, see our breakdown of the Dubai visitor visa cost.
Documents to Carry for a Dubai Visa on Arrival
With the free stamp, you need very little. Bring a passport that still has a comfortable margin before expiry, six months at minimum, a ticket home or onward, and details of where you're staying. The officer rarely asks for more, but airlines sometimes check the onward ticket at departure.
For the conditional route, bring more paperwork, and keep it in your hand luggage:
- Your ordinary passport, not due to expire for six months.
- The original qualifying visa, green card or residence permit, with half a year of validity left.
- A personal photo with a white background, in case it's requested.
- A confirmed ticket home or to your next destination.
- Your hotel booking or your host's address.
- A card to pay the fee, and health insurance for the stay.
Insurance isn't always checked on arrival, but medical treatment in Dubai is expensive for visitors, so it's worth arranging anyway. The UAE visit visa insurance rules set out what a policy needs. For the full list for standard tourist visas, see the Dubai visitor visa requirements.
How the Arrival Process Works at Dubai Airport
The process starts before you reach Dubai. At check-in, the airline compares your passport against the UAE's entry rules. If you're on the conditional route, staff will ask to see your US, UK, EU or other document. This is where most problems happen, so carry the original, not a photocopy.
After landing, follow the signs to passport control. Eligible passports go straight to the immigration counters, where the officer scans the passport and records the free entry. Travellers on the conditional route may be directed to a separate counter, where the officer checks the supporting document, collects the fee and issues the visa. Afterwards, you collect your bags and pass through customs.
Questions the Officer May Ask
Most visitors pass through without a word, but the officer can ask about your plans. Typical questions cover the purpose of your visit, where you're staying and when you're leaving. Answer briefly and honestly, and have your hotel booking and return ticket ready, both printed and on your phone. If you're visiting family, carry your host's address and phone number.
Children and Infants
Every child, including a baby, needs their own passport. On the free list, children receive the same stamp as their parents. On the conditional route, each child must also hold a qualifying visa or residence permit, as the ICP rules apply to every traveller individually. A child without one needs a tourist visa arranged before the trip, even if both parents qualify for the Dubai visa on arrival.
Keep your arrival date in mind from this point on. The 14, 60 or 90 days start on the day you enter, and leaving even one day late adds a fine.
Airports Where the Arrival Route Applies
The arrival rules aren't limited to Dubai International. They apply at all of the UAE's international airports, including Dubai World Central, Zayed International in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah International. The same eligibility conditions apply everywhere, so choose your airport for convenience, not for the visa.
Marhaba and Other Airport Assistance
Marhaba is dnata's paid meet-and-greet service at Dubai International. An agent meets you on arrival and guides you through the airport formalities, which can help families, older travellers or anyone nervous about the conditional route. It doesn't change who qualifies, though. If your passport or supporting visa doesn't meet the rules, no assistance service can get you a visa on arrival.
Dubai Visa on Arrival Versus an E-Visa
For travellers who qualify for the conditional route, the choice is between the Dubai visa on arrival and a standard tourist e-visa arranged online. Each has its strengths. The arrival route is cheaper on paper and needs no application. An e-visa, on the other hand, is approved before you board, can be multiple entry and works for family members without a qualifying document.
Think about how much a refused boarding would cost you. If a whole family's flights and hotel depend on one officer accepting a US visa with seven months left, the small saving may not be worth the risk. Our overview of the Dubai e-visa explains how online visas work.
Meetings, Conferences and Exhibitions
The free arrival stamp covers business meetings, conferences and exhibitions, so most Western executives need nothing more. On the conditional route, the 14-day visa also suits short business trips. For longer or repeated work visits, a dedicated business visa is clearer, and it avoids questions at the counter about the purpose of your stay.
When a Pre-Arranged Visa Is the Better Choice
The arrival route is convenient, but it isn't always the smartest option. Arrange a visa before you fly in any of these situations:
- Your qualifying American, British or European document has under six months left.
- You hold a visitor visa from Canada, Australia or Japan rather than a residence permit.
- Someone travelling with you, such as a parent or child, lacks a qualifying document.
- You want multiple entries, for example for a side trip to Oman.
- You want certainty before boarding, rather than relying on the airline and the officer on the day.
A pre-arranged tourist visa is emailed to you as a PDF before you fly. Meanwhile, you can follow the application in the Dubai visa status checker. If your trip is close, the Dubai express visa speeds up processing.
Not sure your documents qualify? A pre-arranged visa removes the guesswork at check-in. Apply now for the visa that matches your travel dates, or contact us and we'll check whether the arrival route works for your passport.
Extending Your Stay and Avoiding Overstay Fines
On the 14-day conditional visa, you can apply for one extension of 14 days while you're still in the country. Do this a few days before the visa expires, not on the last day. Our guide to extending a Dubai visit visa walks through the steps. The 60-day visa can't be extended, so you must leave by the final day.
On the free stamp, the rules depend on your category. Holders of 90-day passports can't simply add more days once the 90 are used, although citizens of certain European countries may then request a pre-arranged visa. If you need longer, plan it before you travel. If you came on a tourist visa instead, an inside-country visa extension may be possible.
Each day of overstay costs AED 50, and you'll pay the fine before you can leave. Long or repeated overstays can also cause problems with future visas, so treat your exit date as fixed.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Refused Boarding
Most failed arrivals come from small mistakes rather than strict rules. Check these before you leave home:
- Relying on an old article that says your passport gets 30 days, or that a Canadian visitor visa qualifies.
- Carrying a US visa in an expired passport without the new passport that the airline checks.
- Assuming a spouse or child can enter on your qualifying visa.
- Travelling on an emergency or temporary passport, which doesn't qualify for the conditional route.
- Booking a side trip to Oman on a single-entry 60-day visa.
One more tip: if your US visa is in an old passport, carry both passports. Airline staff and border officers need to see the visa itself, and they'll match it to your current passport. Our article on UAE visa restrictions covers the separate question of nationality rules and personal bans.
A Final Checklist Before You Fly
Run through these points the week before departure. They take five minutes and prevent most problems with a Dubai visa on arrival:
- Six months or more remain before your passport's expiry date.
- Check that your nationality is on the free list, or that you're one of the seven conditional nationalities.
- Your US, UK, EU or other document is the right type and has six months left.
- Everyone in your group meets the conditions individually.
- You have a return ticket and an address for your stay.
- You know your exit date and have counted the days.
If any point is uncertain, arrange a visa in advance rather than hoping for the best at the airport.
Dubai Visa on Arrival for Transit Passengers
Changing planes in Dubai while staying airside needs no visa at all. If you'd rather explore Dubai during a long connection, though, you need entry permission. Eligible passports simply use the free stamp. Everyone else needs a transit visa arranged before arrival, for example the 96-hour transit visa. That includes travellers who don't qualify for the conditional route.
In short, the Dubai visa on arrival is generous for travellers from the visa-free list and conditional for everyone else. Check your passport, check the dates on any supporting document, and choose a pre-arranged visa whenever there's doubt. That way, the only queue you'll face is the one at passport control.
