Visa-Free and Visa-on-Arrival Entry
Ninety days for most European passports, thirty for several others, extendable twice.
Visa-Free and Visa-on-Arrival Entry
The UAE grants visa-free entry to a long list of nationalities, though the length varies substantially: most EU and Schengen passports get 90 days within a 180-day window, while the United States, China and others receive 30 days that can be extended twice for a fee. Entry at Dubai and Abu Dhabi is by facial recognition with no passport stamp, so you are responsible for tracking your own days.
At a glance
Initial stay
90 days
Default; varies by passport
Entries
Multiple
Application fee
Free
Apply
No application
Who can apply
59 nationalities are on the eligible list. Anyone not listed applies through a different route.
Eligible passports (59)
Stay length by passport
Most passports get 90 days. 8 nationalities get a different allowance — check yours before booking.
Requirements
- Passport eligible for visa-free entryRequiredAround 90 nationalities enter without a prior visa. The rest need an e-visa arranged through an airline, hotel or sponsor.
- Stay within the visa-free allowanceRequiredNinety days in 180 for most European passports, or 30 days extendable twice for several others.
- Passport valid for six monthsRequiredSix months of validity from arrival is required.
- No passport stamp on entryInfoDubai and Abu Dhabi use facial recognition with no physical stamp. Keep your own record of entry and exit dates, because overstay fines are charged per day and you will not have a stamp to check.
- Controlled medication rulesInfoSeveral medications sold over the counter elsewhere, including codeine, tramadol and CBD products, are controlled substances. Bring a prescription and seek prior Ministry of Health approval where required.
Documents to prepare
- Passport with six months validity
- Onward or return ticket
- Proof of accommodation
How to apply
Last verified 2026-07-27
Arrive
~1 dayClear immigration using the smart gates. No visa application is needed in advance.
Track your days
~1 dayThere is no stamp, so record your entry date yourself and check remaining days through the ICP smart services portal.
Extending the stay
Extendable
Yes
Per extension
30 days
Max extensions
2
Extension fee
$165
Where
In country
Thirty-day entries can usually be extended twice for AED 600 each. Ninety-day visa-free entries are generally not extendable.
Tax and health
Tax
Tourist days count toward the 183-day threshold for a Tax Residency Certificate, but a certificate normally also requires a residence visa and a permanent home.
Insurance
Not required. Not required for tourist entry, but healthcare costs here make it strongly advisable.
Healthcare
None mandated, though private care is expensive without cover.
Immigration and tax rules change without notice and depend on your nationality and circumstances. Confirm with the official source below or a qualified adviser before acting on anything here.
Good to know
- Check your remaining days through the ICP smart services portal rather than trusting memory
- Oman is a short drive or flight and is the standard reset trip
- Overstay fines accrue daily and are enforced at departure
- Working remotely on a tourist entry is a grey area; the Virtual Work visa exists precisely to resolve it
Official source
medium confidenceOther ways into United Arab Emirates