Visitors to the United Arab Emirates must obtain a visa prior to travel unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or one of the countries whose citizens are eligible for visa on arrival.
Citizens of member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council have a freedom of movement in the UAE, except for citizens of Qatar who are no longer allowed to enter (since 2017), unless they are a family member of a resident.
All visitors visiting the United Arab Emirates must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months. GCC nationals (except Qatar) need to only show their government issued ID card or driving license.
Video Visa policy of the United Arab Emirates
Visa policy map
Maps Visa policy of the United Arab Emirates
Visa-free
Nationals of the following 44 countries may enter the United Arab Emirates without a visa:
ID -- May enter with an ID card.
1 -- Not applicable to passports stamped "Article 17, paragraph 2".
2 -- Including holders of passports for public affairs.
3 -- For holders of biometric passports only.
Visa on arrival
Holders of normal passports issued by the following 21 countries and territories are eligible to obtain a free UAE visa on arrival, which is valid for 30 days. Extension is possible for a fee.
1 - Only applicable for British citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens and British Subjects who have a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode.
As of May 2017, holders of normal passports issued by India are eligible to obtain a free 14 day visa on arrival provided they hold a valid visa issued by the United States or a Green Card. From September 2017 onward, India passport holders get a free visa if they hold UK and EU residence visas.
Diplomatic and service category passports
Holders of diplomatic or service category passports of Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Colombia, Egypt, Georgia, Grenada, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Serbia, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Vanuatu and Vietnam and holders of diplomatic passports of Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Russia, Senegal do not require a visa or can obtain a free visa on arrival.
Future changes
United Arab Emirates has signed visa exemption agreements with the following countries that are not yet ratified or applied:
- Ethiopia - on 15 June 2018 for diplomatic passports
- El Salvador - on 21 September 2017 for diplomatic passports
- Kenya - on 25 February 2017 for diplomatic passports
- Maldives - on 17 October 2017 for diplomatic passports
- Papua New Guinea - on 21 October 2017 for all passports
- Russia - on 6 July 2018 for 90 days within any 180-day period for all passports
Transit visa
Soon Passengers on all international airlines may enter the United Arab Emirates for 96 hours after obtaining a transit visa at the airport. The time difference between the two flights must be over 8 hours and the passenger must continue to a third destination. Passengers also must have a hotel booking. This is not applicable to nationals of Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, Somalia, and Yemen.
All travellers in transit are exempt from entry fees for the first 48 hours; this brief entry may be extended for up to 96 hours for a fee of Dhs50.
Requirements for visa application
For all others nationals who are not granted visa-free or visa on arrival, UAE visas rules vary according to nationality, age and gender. For example, for Moroccans, Algerians, Libyans, Mauritanians and Tunisians, the minimum age requirement to apply for a visa is 40. For other nationalities, the minimum age requirement to apply for a visa is 21 for men and 23 for women.
Airline visas
Visitors normally require a sponsor but visas can also be arranged online through an airline if they are arriving on Air Arabia, Air Astana, Emirates, Etihad (and Air Baltic and Air Serbia), flydubai, Turkish Airlines and Indigo Airlines
Passports that require prior confirmation
Entry to the UAE is refused to nationals of these countries without a prior authorization issued from UAE ministry of foreign affairs:
- Israel - UAE does not recognize the state of Israel and therefore, Israeli passports are not recognized as legitimate and legal passports.
- Qatar - Prior confirmation from UAE ministry of foreign affairs is required before a visa is issued. Qatari nationals who are family members of UAE citizens/residents are permitted entry to the UAE.
See also
- Visa requirements for Emirati citizens
References
External links
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE
- NEWS: New visa and labour rules in UAE
Source of article : Wikipedia
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