Passport holders from the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Kenya, and South Africa can now access 14-day or 60-day entry stamps under specific residency criteria.
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has officially expanded its visa-on-arrival program, granting nationals of six additional countries—the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Kenya, and South Africa—the ability to secure entry visas upon arrival. Announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP), the new framework offers travel flexibility with options for both 14-day and 60-day stays, aiming to boost international mobility, economic ties, and tourism.
The streamlined facility eliminates the traditional requirement of pre-arranging entry permits before departure, provided that travelers meet specific international residency prerequisites. To qualify for the visa-on-arrival option, ordinary passport holders from these six newly added nations must possess a valid residence permit, Green Card, or valid visa from selected major global jurisdictions. These include the United States, the United Kingdom, any European Union member state, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, or South Korea.
Under the updated guidelines released by the ICP, eligible travelers can opt for a short-term 14-day visa upon arrival for a fee of AED 100. This 14-day permit allows for a one-time extension of an additional 14 days within the country for a fee of AED 250. Alternatively, those planning an extended visit can secure a 60-day single-entry visit visa at the border control counter for AED 250. Unlike the shorter option, the 60-day visa-on-arrival is strictly non-extendable, and visitors are required to leave the country before its expiration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that this major policy update underscores the UAE’s strategic efforts to reinforce bilateral relations with global partners. By relaxing entry procedures for these dynamic markets, the government intends to facilitate smoother business travel, support entrepreneurship, and welcome millions of families and tourists looking to explore the country’s world-class infrastructure and economic ecosystem.
Strict immigration boundaries remain active alongside these updates. The ICP confirmed that a uniform overstay fine of AED 50 per day will be levied immediately on any traveler who remains in the country past their permitted visa duration, with no grace period applicable. Passports must also be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival.
The UAE’s Evolving Immigration Ecosystem
This policy expansion follows a comprehensive wave of structural visa updates initiated across the UAE over the last few years. By incorporating strategic third-country visa requirements (such as holding valid US, UK, or Schengen documents), the UAE has progressively opened its borders to millions of passport holders from emerging markets across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. This tiered visa-on-arrival strategy allows the Emirates to maintain stringent security checks while simultaneously driving competitive growth in its tourism, real estate, and retail sectors.
