Quick Answer: UAE visa on arrival means you get your entry stamp at the airport without applying beforehand. Over 70 countries qualify. Most Western passports get 90 days free. Processing takes 2-5 minutes. You need a passport valid for at least 6 months. No forms to fill out, no fees to pay, no sponsor required. Just land, queue, get stamped, and go.
What Visa on Arrival Actually Means
Visa on arrival is exactly what it sounds like: you arrive at a UAE airport, walk to immigration, and receive your visa stamp right there. No embassy visits or online applications are needed for most eligible countries, but always verify if your nationality is on the list to avoid surprises.
I have been through UAE immigration more times than I can count, across multiple airports and at various hours. The process is genuinely simple when you know what to expect. The confusion arises because people conflate a visa on arrival with other visa types that require pre-approval.
Here is the key distinction: if your country is on the VOA list, your passport IS your visa application. The immigration officer reviews it, stamps it, and you are legally in the UAE. If your country is NOT on the list, you must obtain a visa before flying-there is no way around it, so plan accordingly.
Complete List of Eligible Countries
GCC Citizens: No Visa Needed at All
If you hold a passport from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, or Oman, you do not get a visa on arrival because you do not need a visa at all. You can enter with just your national ID card. No stamps, no duration limits, full work rights. This is a distinct category from everyone else.
90-Day Visa on Arrival Countries
These passport holders receive 90 days, multiple entries allowed within 180 days, completely free:
Europe: All EU countries, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Montenegro
Americas: United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay
Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong (SAR), Kazakhstan
Other: Israel, Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, South Africa, Kiribati, Nauru, Solomon Islands
Special Duration Countries
| Country | Duration | Entry Type | Fee |
| China | 90 days (since Apr 2025) | Multiple within 180 days | Free |
| Mexico | 180 days | Multiple entry | Free |
| Thailand | 30 days | Single, extendable | Free |
| Macau | 30 days | Single, extendable | Free |
Step-by-Step: What Happens at UAE Immigration
Let me walk you through exactly what happens from the moment your plane lands. Understanding this simple process can help you feel more confident and prepared for your trip.
Step 1: Follow the Signs
After exiting the aircraft and walking through the jet bridge or taking a bus to the terminal, follow the signs for Passport Control or Immigration. In Dubai (DXB), this involves walking through the duty-free area. In Abu Dhabi (AUH), it is more direct. Signs are in English and Arabic.
Step 2: Choose Your Queue
You will see the following lanes: UAE/GCC Nationals, UAE Residents, Smart Gates, and All Passports (Visitors). As a visa-on-arrival traveler, join the All Passports or Visitors queue. Do NOT use the Residents lane even if it looks shorter; you will be sent back.
Step 3: Present Your Passport
Hand your passport to the immigration officer. They will scan it, review your details on-screen, and may ask a few questions: the purpose of your visit, your length of stay, and where you are staying. Keep answers honest and straightforward. Tourism. Seven days. Marriott Downtown.
Step 4: Biometrics
You will be asked to scan your fingerprints (usually both index fingers) and to look into a camera for a photo. Some nationalities also get iris scans. This takes about 30 seconds. Keep your hands clean and dry for better fingerprint capture.
Step 5: Receive Your Stamp
The officer stamps your passport with your entry date and allowed stay duration. Checking the stamp ensures your stay is recorded correctly, giving you peace of mind and helping avoid future issues.
Step 6: Collect Bags and Exit
Proceed to baggage claim, collect your luggage, and walk through customs. Most travelers with standard tourist luggage pass through the green channel without inspection. If you have items to declare, use the red channel.
Processing Time: The actual interaction with the immigration officer takes 2-5 minutes. Total time, including queue,e depends on arrival traffic. Early-morning flights (6-9 AM) and late-night arrivals (10 PM – 1 AM) experience the longest waits. Mid-day arrivals are typically fastest.
Smart Gates vs Regular Queues
Smart Gates are automated immigration kiosks that can clear you in under 2 minutes, offering a faster, more seamless entry experience for eligible travelers.
Who can use Smart Gates:
UAE citizens and residents with an Emirates ID
GCC nationals
Pre-registered frequent travelers from eligible nationalities
Some passport holders who have been through the UAE immigration before and are in the system
First-time visitors typically cannot use Smart Gates. However, after your first UAE visit with biometrics captured, you may be eligible on subsequent visits. There are no official rules published about exactly who qualifies, but the system will tell you when you try to scan your passport.
Stay Duration by Passport Type
Your allowed stay depends entirely on your passport. There is no negotiation at the counter. The immigration officer follows a fixed list.
| Passport Category | Initial Stay | Extensions | Max Stay |
| GCC Citizens | Unlimited | N/A | Unlimited |
| EU/US/UK/Australia/etc. | 90 days | 30 days x 2 | 150 days |
| China (since Apr 2025) | 90 days in 180 | Within the rolling period | 90 in 180 days |
| Mexico | 180 days | Multiple entry | 180 days |
| Thailand/Macau/etc. | 30 days | 30 days x 2 | 90 days |
Extending Your Stay Without Leaving
Good news: since December 2025, you can extend most UAE visas online without exiting the country. The old visa run to Oman or Bahrain is no longer necessary for extensions.
How to extend online:
1. Visit gdrfad.gov.ae (Dubai) or download the GDRFA Dubai app
2. Log in with UAE Pass or create a username account
3. Select the Visa Extension service
4. Upload: passport copy, current visa page, updated return ticket
5. Pay AED 600 extension fee + AED 100 application fee
6. Receive confirmation within 24-48 hours
Important: Apply at least 7 days before your visa expires. Extensions are not automatic. If your visa expires while your application is pending, you may face overstay fines. Fines start at AED 50 per day with no grace period.
Airport-Specific Tips (DXB, AUH, SHJ)
Dubai International (DXB)
The busiest UAE airport and one of the busiest in the world. Terminal 3 handles Emirates flights exclusively. Terminal 1 handles other international carriers. Terminal 2 is mainly for budget airlines and regional flights. Immigration areas are large but can get extremely crowded during peak hours. If you arrive on a morning Emirates flight between 6-9 AM, expect 30-45 minute queues.
Abu Dhabi International (AUH)
Generally, it is less crowded than Dubai. The new Midfield Terminal (Terminal A) opened in 2023 and handles most international flights now. Immigration is modern and efficient. If connecting to domestic or regional flights, follow clearly marked transfer signs. Processing is typically faster here than in DXB.
Sharjah International (SHJ)
Smaller airport, used mainly by Air Arabia and budget carriers. Immigration is straightforward, but facilities are more basic. If you arean Indian with qualifying VOA credentials and arriving here, the process is handled by the Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA) desk before immigration.
Common Mistakes That Cause Problems
After years of helping travelers, these are the issues I see repeatedly:
Passport Validity Issues
Your passport must be valid for 6 months from the arrival date. Not 5 months, not 5 months and 29 days. Six months. Airlines check this at departure and will deny boarding. Immigration will refuse entry if you make it to the UAE. A German traveler I know was turned back in Frankfurt because his passport had only 5 months and 2 weeks of validity.
Assuming VOA When You Need a Visa
Just because your colleague gets a visa on arrival does not mean you do. I have seen Indians assume they get VOA because British Indians do. Pakistani-origin Canadians often think they need pre-approval when their Canadian passports grant them automatic entry. Check your actual passport, not your ethnicity or origin.
Previous Visa Not Cancelled
If you previously held a UAE visa (work, residence, tourist), it must be formally cancelled by GDRFA before a new visa can be issued. Expired visas do not automatically cancel. Unused visas remain in the system. You will be stopped at immigration if your visa is marked as active. Sort this before traveling.
No Return Ticket
Technically, UAE immigration may request proof of onward travel. In practice, they rarely do for Western passport holders. But airlines at departure airports often check. If you do not have a return or onward ticket, some airlines may require you to buy one before boarding. Better to have a flexible/refundable booking than argue at check-in.
Transit Without Leaving the Airport
If you are connecting through an UAE airport but staying inside the transit area without entering the country, you generally do not need a visa, regardless of your nationality. The transit area is considered international territory.
However, if you want to leave the airport during a long layover to visit the city, take a hotel, or simply go outside, you need a visa. For VOA nationalities, this is automatic upon exit from the transit area. For others, transit visas (48 or 96 hours) are available through airlines.
48-hour transit visa: Free when arranged through Emirates or Etihad. 96-hour transit visa: AED 50-100, requires hotel booking. Both require a confirmed onward flight. Exception: citizens of Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, Syria, Somalia, and Yemen cannot obtain transit visas at the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a visa on arrival free?
For most eligible nationalities, yes. No fees at immigration. The only exception is Indian nationals using VOA with qualifying credentials, who pay approximately AED 230.
Do I need a hotel booking?
Not required for most VOA nationalities, but recommended. Immigration officers occasionally ask where you are staying. Having a booking ready (even a refundable one) speeds things up. Nigerian nationals are the exception: hotel booking for the entire stay is mandatory.
Can I work on a VOA visa?
No. Visa on arrival is strictly for tourism, visiting friends/family, and short business meetings. Any employment, even unpaid, requires a work visa. Getting caught working on a tourist entry results in fines, deportation, and potential future entry bans.
What if my stay exceeds the visa duration?
Overstay fines begin immediately at AED 50 per day. There is no grace period anymore. Fines must be paid before you can exit the country. Extended overstays can result in detention until penalties are paid. Do not overstay.
Can I enter multiple times on VOA?
For 90-day VOA holders, yes, you can enter multiple times within 180 days, using up your 90 days across multiple visits. For 30-day VOA holders, each entry is typically a single entry, but you can exit and re-enter to start a new 30-day period.
Official Sources
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP): icp.gov.ae
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA): gdrfad.gov.ae
UAE Government Portal: u.ae
Disclaimer
Important: This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa regulations are subject to change without notice. Always verify current requirements with official UAE government sources before travel. UAE immigration officers make individual entry decisions at the point of entry.
Last Updated: February, 2026
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