The UAE grants visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry to nationals of many countries. Here is the complete 2025 guide to UAE visa-on-arrival eligibility.
Countries with Visa-Free / Visa-on-Arrival Access to UAE
Citizens of the following country categories can enter the UAE without a pre-arranged visa: GCC nationals (permanent residency): Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar. Citizens of these countries can enter and reside in the UAE without any visa or residency process. EU Schengen area citizens: all 27 EU member states, plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Receive 90-day visa-on-arrival (renewable once for another 90 days). UK nationals: British passport holders receive a 30-day visa-on-arrival (renewable). US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand: receive 30-day visa-on-arrival (extendable to 90 days via simple extension). Japan, South Korea: visa-on-arrival. Russia: 90-day visa-on-arrival. China: 30-day visa-on-arrival (introduced 2018).
Countries That Need a UAE Visa
Nationals of most South Asian countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal), most African countries, most Middle Eastern countries (except GCC), and most Central Asian countries require a UAE visa arranged in advance. UAE visa application options: UAE tourist visa (online via GDRFA, ICA, or airlines like Emirates), UAE business visa (through a UAE company sponsor), and UAE e-visa (available via Federal e-Government portal). Cost of UAE tourist visa: 30-day single-entry AED 350-550. 60-day visa: AED 550-750. 90-day visa: AED 700-1,000.
Visa Run from UAE
Visitors on a 30 or 90-day visa who want to extend their stay can sometimes do a visa run: exit the UAE to a nearby country (Oman is common for a 1-day trip) and re-enter for a fresh visa-on-arrival stamp. However: UAE immigration has discretion to deny re-entry if it appears someone is attempting to live in the UAE long-term on repeated tourist visas without a residency permit. For those who genuinely want to live in the UAE: apply for a UAE residence visa through a proper route (employment, free zone company, property investment) rather than attempting indefinite visa runs.