Wide-ranging visa reform for residents is being matched by changes to tourism and transit visas for travellers coming to the UAE.
This week the official UAE Digital Government provided an update on the availability of visa on arrival for people of more than 70 nationalities coming to the UAE.
UAE visa on arrival
In a message on social media it said: “Some nationalities can obtain a #visaonarrival to the UAE, while others need to apply for a visa in advance,” before providing a guide offering a nation-by-nation updated visa availability for visitors coming to the UAE.
GCC citizens do not need a visa to enter the UAE, but simply need to produce their GCC country passport or national ID card at the point of entry into the UAE.
Some other nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival, while others need to apply for a visa in advance.
Providing they have an original passport, with at least six months left before the date of expiry, and a round-trip airline ticket or confirmed ticket to another destination, citizens of select other countries don’t need to apply for a visa in advance and can acquire a visa on arrival.
Visa on arrival is offered in 30 and 90-day categories depending on the country passport. Mexican passport holders are offered a visa on arrival valid for 180 days.
According to data provided on UAE Embassy, Emirates and Etihad websites visa on arrival is available for citizens of these countries:
30-day visa on arrival
- Andorra
- Australia
- Brunei
- Canada
- China
- Hong Kong, China
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Macau, China
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
- United States of America
- Vatican City
90-day visa on arrival
- Argentina
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Israel
- Italy
- Kiribati
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Maldives
- Malta
- Montenegro
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Vatican City
- Ukraine
- Uruguay
180-day visa on arrival
- Mexico
The UAE government says that the list of eligible countries for visa on arrival may change from time-to-time and advises passengers to check availability before travelling.
In addition to the automatic visa on arrival list above, select Indian citizens are also able to receive a visa on arrival.
Indian visa on arrival in UAE
Indian citizens will be granted a visa on arrival if they hold a valid passport and one of:
- Visit visa issued by the USA
- Green card issued by the USA
- Residence visa issued by the UK
- Residence visa issued by the EU
It is illegal to work, with or without pay, while being on a visit or tourist visa in the United Arab Emirates.
According to the nation’s labour and residency laws, a person cannot work if he has not been issued a work permit and an employment visa.
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