UAE grants visas on arrival for 6 nationalities with US or UK permits

The UAE widened its visa-on-arrival list June 25, letting nationals of six countries skip the pre-trip visa application if they already hold a residence permit from a designated advanced economy.

What changed on June 25

Until last week, passport holders from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa had to secure a UAE visa before flying in, regardless of where they actually lived. That requirement is gone for anyone in those six nationalities who holds a valid residence permit from the US, UK, an EU member state, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed.

Eligible travelers can now pick up the visa at the port of entry. Accompanying family members are covered if they meet the same nationality and residence-permit criteria.

The two options at the counter

Border officers issue one of two visas under the scheme:

• 14-day visa: AED 100 issuance fee, extendable once inside the UAE (reported at AED 250 for a further 14 days).
• 60-day visa: AED 250 issuance fee, single stay, not extendable.

Passports must carry at least six months' validity and the foreign residence permit must still be valid on the date of entry. Overstays draw a fine of AED 50 per day on either visa type.

Who this actually catches

The change matters most for the Indonesian engineer on a US green card, the Filipino nurse with a UK residence permit or the South African consultant carrying an EU long-term card who used to lose a week to UAE consular paperwork before a Dubai trip. They now walk up to the counter with passport and residence card, pay the fee and clear immigration.

Anyone already mid-application through a UAE consulate for a short tourism or business trip on or after June 25 can stop the process and arrive on the new visa instead, saving the pre-trip fee. Anyone planning to stay beyond 60 days or planning to work locally, still needs a different category entirely; the on-arrival route is for visits, remote work from the Emirates and family time, not for taking up UAE employment. Remote workers weighing a longer base should compare it against the dedicated routes covered in the UAE residency guide before booking a one-way ticket.