Seven nationalities can now get a short UAE entry visa without arranging a tourist visa through a sponsor first, as long as they already hold a qualifying residence permit or visa from another country. In a release dated 25 June 2026, the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) extended the scheme, previously open only to Indian nationals, to citizens of Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa. It also widened the list of countries whose residence permits count.
This guide explains who qualifies, the 14-day and 60-day options, the fees and the checks to make before you fly.
Who is eligible
According to ICP, the entry visa for nationals of certain countries covers ordinary passport holders, and accompanying family members, from:
- India
- Indonesia
- Viet Nam
- Thailand
- the Philippines
- Kenya
- South Africa
Nationality alone is not enough. You must also hold a valid residence permit issued by one of the qualifying countries below.
Which residence permits qualify
ICP's June 2026 release lists residence permits from:
- the United States
- European Union member states
- the United Kingdom
- Singapore
- Japan
- South Korea
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Canada
The addition of Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Canada is the second big change. Many Filipino, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Thai professionals live in these countries, and they can now visit the UAE on the strength of that residence.
ICP's service page for Indian nationals has also accepted a valid US visa or green card, or a UK or EU visa, as qualifying documents. The June 2026 release itself refers to residence permits. If you hold only a visitor visa from one of these countries rather than a residence permit, check the current ICP or GDRFA service page for your nationality before you rely on it.
The two visa options
ICP lists two stay lengths, with fees as of October 2026:
- 14-day visa: AED 100. It can be extended once while you are in the UAE.
- 60-day visa: AED 250. It is single entry and cannot be extended.
These are base fees. Online and smart-channel service charges are usually added; ICP's own 60-day service page, for example, adds a smart services fee. Extensions are charged separately, so if you think you may stay longer than two weeks, compare the cost of the 60-day option before you travel.
ICP warns that visa holders must leave before their authorised stay ends. The overstay fine it lists is AED 50 per day.
How to apply
The scheme can be used in two ways, depending on the emirate and the channel.
- Before travel: apply online through ICP's smart services or, for Dubai arrivals, through GDRFA Dubai. GDRFA describes the pre-arrival service for Indian nationals as an online application with a stated completion time of 48 hours.
- On arrival: some travellers receive the entry visa at the airport. Confirm with your airline that it will board you without a pre-issued visa, because airlines check eligibility at check-in.
Dubai visas are handled by GDRFA Dubai, while the other emirates use ICP. Once admitted, you can travel freely between emirates.
What to carry
Have these ready at check-in and at the immigration counter:
- your passport, with at least six months of validity remaining
- your physical qualifying residence permit, not a photocopy or a photo on your phone
- a return or onward ticket
- details of where you are staying
GDRFA Dubai's service page for Indian nationals also asks that the US, UK or EU document has at least six months of validity left. Expect the same scrutiny for the newly added nationalities, and do not travel on a permit that is about to expire.
Who still needs a regular tourist visa
If you are a national of one of the seven countries but do not hold a qualifying residence permit, nothing has changed for you. You still need a tourist or visit visa arranged before travel, through an airline such as Emirates, flydubai or Etihad, through a licensed UAE tour operator or hotel, or through a relative living in the UAE. Nationalities not on the list are not covered by this scheme at all.
Watch out for misinformation
Several articles published since June have mixed this scheme up with full visa-free entry, or listed conditions that do not appear on ICP's pages. The scheme is not a general visa on arrival for these nationalities. It depends on holding a qualifying permit, and you still receive and pay for a UAE visa. Use ICP, GDRFA Dubai or the UAE government portal as your reference, and be wary of agents charging large fees for a visa you can obtain directly.
Frequently asked questions
Can Filipinos get a visa on arrival in Dubai?
Only if they hold a valid residence permit from a qualifying country, such as the US, the UK, an EU state, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Other Filipino passport holders still need a pre-arranged visa.
Which countries were added to the UAE entry visa scheme in 2026?
ICP added Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa on 25 June 2026. India was already eligible.
How much does the UAE entry visa cost under this scheme?
ICP lists AED 100 for the 14-day visa and AED 250 for the 60-day visa as of October 2026. Service charges may be added depending on how you apply.
Can I extend the 60-day UAE entry visa?
No. The 60-day visa is single entry and cannot be extended. The 14-day visa can be extended once while you are in the UAE.
Does a Japanese or Canadian tourist visa count?
ICP's release refers to residence permits from these countries. A short-term tourist visa from Japan or Canada should not be assumed to qualify. Check the current ICP service page for your nationality.
Do Kenyans and South Africans with a UK residence permit qualify?
Yes, according to ICP's June 2026 release, provided the permit is valid and the traveller holds an ordinary passport.
UAE entry rules can change at short notice, and fees, channels and document conditions differ slightly between ICP and GDRFA Dubai. Before you book, confirm your eligibility on the official ICP website, GDRFA Dubai or the UAE government portal, and check with your airline that your documents will be accepted at check-in.
Official sources
- ICP: Expanded eligibility for the UAE entry visa for nationals of certain countries (25 June 2026)
- ICP: 60-day visa for nationals of certain countries residing abroad
- GDRFA Dubai: Visa on arrival for citizens of India
- UAE government portal: Do you need a visa to enter the UAE?
Sources reviewed on 20 Oct 2026. Requirements can change and depend on your nationality and circumstances. This article is general information, not a personal eligibility assessment.
