UAE visa on arrival access has expanded from June 25, giving eligible travellers from six countries a new route to visit the Emirates for short stays, family trips, tourism, business visits and stopovers.
The update applies to ordinary passport holders from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Kenya and South Africa. It also covers accompanying family members when the main eligibility conditions are met.
The rule is useful for Dubai residents hosting relatives, travellers planning UAE holidays and business visitors who already hold residence permits from selected countries. The main detail to understand is that nationality alone is not enough. Travellers must also hold a qualifying residence permit from one of the listed jurisdictions.
Who Can Use The New Visa-On-Arrival Rule?
Eligible travellers must be nationals of Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Kenya or South Africa and must hold ordinary passports. The same pathway can apply to accompanying family members, provided they meet the required conditions.
Travellers also need a valid residence permit issued by the United States, a European Union member state, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
That means the change is not a blanket visa-on-arrival rule for every passport holder from the six countries. It is targeted at travellers who already have documented residency in one of the qualifying countries or regions.
The Six Countries Now Included
The expanded list covers six important travel markets for the UAE. They are Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Kenya and South Africa.
For Dubai and the wider UAE, the decision has clear tourism and family-travel value. The Philippines, Indonesia and South Africa all have strong resident communities in the Emirates, while Thailand, Vietnam and Kenya are also important travel and business links.
Dubai Bliss readers should treat this as a practical entry update, especially if family members or colleagues are planning visits during the summer travel season.
How Long Can Eligible Travellers Stay?
Travellers can choose between two visa-on-arrival options. The first is a 14-day stay, while the second is a 60-day stay.
The 14-day visa costs AED100. It can be extended once while the traveller is already inside the UAE.
The 60-day visa costs AED250. It is issued for a single stay and cannot be extended, so travellers using that option should plan their return date carefully.
What Happens If A Traveller Overstays?
Visitors must leave the UAE before their visa expires unless they are using an approved extension route. After expiry, an overstay fine of AED50 per day applies.
This detail is important because some travellers may assume that a visa-on-arrival option works like a flexible visit pass. It does not. The 14-day option has one extension route, but the 60-day option is not extendable.
Anyone unsure about their exact entry status should check directly with UAE immigration services before travelling or before the visa expires. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security is the key authority for entry permit and residency services.
Why This Matters For Dubai Residents
The expanded UAE visa on arrival rule can make short family visits easier for many Dubai residents. It may also help visitors who already live in countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia or EU member states and want to plan a UAE stopover.
For families, the most useful part is clarity. The rule sets out the countries, the qualifying residence permits, the stay options, the fees and the extension limits.
For travellers, the practical checklist is simple. Confirm passport nationality, confirm residence permit validity, choose the correct stay length and make sure the return date sits safely inside the permitted period.
What To Check Before Flying
Before booking tickets, travellers should make sure their passport and qualifying residence permit are valid for travel. They should also check airline boarding requirements, because airlines may need to verify eligibility before allowing passengers to fly.
It is also sensible to carry proof of accommodation, onward or return travel and any documents linked to the qualifying residence permit. The exact documents required can vary by case, so travellers should keep digital and printed copies ready.
Dubai visitors flying during the school-holiday rush should also plan extra airport time. Dubai Bliss recently covered Emirates summer travel guidance for DXB passengers, including early check-in and arrival-time advice.
How It Fits The UAE Travel Push
The UAE has been widening travel access while keeping entry rules structured. This update fits that approach by making visits easier for selected travellers who already have residence status in trusted travel markets.
For Dubai, the move can support hotels, airlines, restaurants, attractions and short-stay tourism. It can also help business travellers who need a clear, fast entry option for meetings or events.
The timing is useful too. Summer is a heavy travel period, and many residents are either leaving the UAE or receiving family visitors. Clearer visa-on-arrival access gives eligible travellers one more planning option.
What If A Traveller Is Not Eligible?
Travellers who do not meet the nationality and residence-permit conditions should use the normal UAE visit visa routes. They should not assume eligibility at the airport, because failed document checks can disrupt the trip before boarding or on arrival.
Residents should also remember that this update is separate from the recent UAE visa grace period for people affected by regional travel disruptions. Dubai Bliss readers can review the UAE visa grace period deadline if that applies to their situation.
For eligible visitors, the new rule is a welcome shortcut. For everyone else, the safest move is still to confirm the correct visa route before paying for flights or hotels.
FAQs
Which countries are covered by the new UAE visa-on-arrival rule?
The update covers ordinary passport holders from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Kenya and South Africa. Accompanying family members may also qualify when the entry conditions are met.
Is nationality from one of the six countries enough?
No. Travellers must also hold a valid residence permit from the US, an EU member state, the UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
How much does the UAE visa on arrival cost?
The 14-day visa costs AED100. The 60-day visa costs AED250.
Can the visa be extended inside the UAE?
The 14-day visa can be extended once while the holder is in the UAE. The 60-day visa is issued for a single stay and cannot be extended.
What is the fine for overstaying?
Travellers who stay beyond the permitted period face an AED50 daily overstay fine. Visitors should leave before expiry or complete any approved extension in time.