The United Arab Emirates(UAE), being the most popular tourist destination in the region, particularly Dubai, draws millions of tourists from around the world every year from both developing and developed countries. Consequently, different visa rules apply to each nationality. Some of them get visa-on-arrival, whilst others need to apply prior to flying to the UAE. Inhabitants of nearly 70 countries receive a visa on arrival in the UAE while other nationalities will have to obtain a visa before their departure.
30-day visa
Based on information sourced from Emirates, flydubai and Etihad Airways websites, passport holders of about 20 countries or territories get a 30-day visa on arrival free of charge, comprising of:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Brunei
- Canada
- China
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Ireland
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Ukraine
- UK and Northern Ireland
- USA
- Vatican City
90-day visa
While a 90-day multiple entry visit visa is delivered to nationals of around 50 countries or territories. This visa is valid for six months from the date of issue and visa holders can stay in the UAE for 90 days in aggregate. The countries are:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Bahamas Islands
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Israel
- Italy
- Kiribati
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Maldives
- Malta
- Montenegro
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Uruguay
UAE: 180-day visa:
Travellers holding a Mexican passport are eligible for a multiple entry 180‑day visit visa that’s valid for six months from the date of issue, and for a stay of overall 180 days. The applicant should have a bank balance of USD 4,000 (AED 14,700) or its equivalent in foreign currencies in the last six months before applying.
Pre-arranged visa:
Inhabitants of all other countries from Asia and Africa are mandated to have a UAE visa prior to their departure.