UAE Visa On Arrival: Visitors From Over 70 countries Can Stay For Up To 180 Days

As the most popular tourist destination in the region, the UAE, particularly Dubai, attracts millions of visitors each year from both developing and developed countries.

As a result, each nationality has its own set of visa requirements. Some of them are granted visas on arrival, while others must apply before flying to the UAE. Citizens of nearly 70 countries are granted a visa on arrival in the UAE, whereas other nationalities must obtain a visa prior to departure.

We receive a lot of questions about the Visa on Arrival in the UAE on a daily basis, so we decided to cover everything you need to know about the Visa on Arrival in the UAE in this article.

UAE Visa On Arrival

The United Arab Emirates offers three types of Visa on Arrival (VOA), allowing visitors to stay in the country for as little as 30 days and as long as 180 days.

1. 30-Day Visa On Arrival

According to the information on the Emirates website, if you have a passport from one of the following 20 countries or territories, you do not need to make any advance visa arrangements to visit the UAE. Simply exit the aircraft at Dubai International and proceed to immigration, where your passport will be stamped with a free 30-day visit visa with a 10-day grace period for an extension.

• Andorra
• Australia
• Brunei
• Canada
• China
• Hong Kong (China)
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Macau (China)
• Malaysia
• Mauritius
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• Ireland
• San Marino
• Singapore
• Ukraine
• The United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
• USA
• Vatican City

2. 90-Day Visa On Arrival

If you have a passport from one of the countries or territories listed below, your passport will be stamped with a multiple entry 90-day visit visa valid for 6 months from the date of issue and for a total stay of 90 days.

Citizens of the following 53 European countries may also apply for a prearranged visit visa if their 90day visa on arrival has been exhausted.

3. 180-Day Visa On Arrival

If you have a Mexican passport, you are eligible for a multiple entry 180day visit visa that is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and allows you to stay for a total of 180 days.

Must Read: UAE To Change Rules For Entry Permits And Visas From Next Month

UAE Visa On Arrival For Indian Citizens

Apart from the 73 countries mentioned above, Indian citizens will be able to enter the UAE on a Visa On Arrival basis (VOA). According to the UAE Government’s official website, Indian citizens with a regular passport and either…

• a visit visa issued by the USA or
• a green card issued by the USA or
• a residence visa issued by the UK or
• a residence visa issued by the EU

can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 14 days if the visa or green card is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the UAE.

However, the Visa can also be extended once for an additional time period of 14 days by paying an additional fee of AED250 (subject to change).

Dubai Visa Fee For Indian Nationals

It is important to note that passports must be valid for at least 6 months after entry into the UAE. Lists of countries eligible for visas on arrival may change from time to time; therefore, before travelling to the UAE, it is advised to check with the UAE embassy in your country.

Documents Required For UAE Visa

The documents required for the UAE visa may differ depending on the country from which you are applying. However, the following documents will be required for all citizens of all nationalities.

• Colour photograph of Applicants.
• Colour passport copy and the passport must be valid for at least six months.
• Original Application Form 
• Copy of Return Flights Tickets
• Financial Proofs (Bank Statements/ITR)

How To Apply For UAE e-Visa

Travellers from other countries can obtain a single entry visa, which allows them to enter the UAE only once for a stay of up to 30 days. A valid United Arab Emirates Tourist Visa is valid for 60 days from the date of issue.

Eligible citizens can apply in a matter of minutes using the United Arab Emirates Online Visa Application. In order to receive an approved United Arab Emirates Visa via email, applicants must fill out personal and passport information as well as provide details about their trip.

E-visas can be obtained before departure at https://smart.gdrfad.gov.ae/HomePage.aspx (for Dubai) or https://smartservices.ica.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/default.html#/login (for other emirates). Passengers must have a printed e-visa confirmation.

UAE e-Visa Processing Time

It should be noted that once you have submitted all of the required documents, it may take the authorities 3 to 4 working days to process the visa.

UAE Immigration Procedures

As an added security measure, Immigration Authorities at Dubai International are now conducting random eye screening for visitors to Dubai.

Visitors asked to proceed for eye screening must present a hard copy of their visa or a printed version of the visa number confirmation page at the screening counter. If you do not have a copy with you, a charge of AED 30 per copy applies ‑ payable only in AED.