The United Arab Emirates is making it easier for thousands more international travellers to visit the country after expanding its visa-on-arrival programme to include nationals of six additional countries. Effective 25 July 2026, ordinary passport holders from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa will be eligible for a visa on arrival, provided they also hold a valid residence permit from one of several approved countries. The policy also extends to accompanying family members, making travel to the UAE more convenient for eligible households.
Who qualifies?
The expansion is not a blanket visa waiver. Instead, it is aimed at travellers who are already long-term residents in major global economies. To benefit from the new scheme, visitors must hold a valid residence permit issued by the United States, any European Union member state, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada. By targeting residents of these countries rather than only passport holders, the UAE is widening its reach to a large pool of globally mobile professionals, expatriates, business travellers, and frequent international visitors.
How the visa works
Eligible travellers will be able to receive either a 14-day or 60-day visa on arrival, depending on the category issued by UAE immigration authorities. The shorter 14-day visa can be extended once from within the UAE, while the 60-day visa is issued for a single stay and cannot be renewed. Visitors who remain beyond the permitted period will incur an overstay fine of AED 50 per day. The visa fees have been set at AED 100 for the 14-day option and AED 250 for the 60-day visa.
Why is the UAE expanding the scheme?
The move reflects the UAE's continued strategy of making travel simpler while strengthening its position as one of the world's leading tourism, aviation, and business hubs. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the expansion is intended to deepen economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties with partner countries while encouraging more visitors to experience the country's tourism offerings, business environment, and modern infrastructure.
The Ministry also said the initiative supports the UAE's wider efforts to facilitate international mobility and strengthen its attractiveness for investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals.
A boost for tourism and aviation
Beyond simplifying entry procedures, the decision is expected to benefit the UAE's tourism and aviation sectors. The six newly added countries represent some of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets in Asia and Africa. Combined, they account for millions of international travellers annually and maintain expanding commercial and aviation links with the Gulf.
By making entry easier for residents of key global economies from these countries, the UAE is likely to stimulate greater leisure travel, business visits, and transit traffic through its airports.
Part of a broader mobility strategy
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security said the latest changes form part of the country's ongoing efforts to modernise its visa framework and align entry procedures with international best practices. Officials said expanding the programme supports the UAE's competitiveness in tourism, residency, and international mobility while reinforcing cooperation with partner nations. The latest announcement also builds on a series of reforms introduced over recent years, including long-term residency options, remote working visas, and more flexible entry policies designed to attract visitors, investors, entrepreneurs, and global talent.
With the expanded visa-on-arrival programme taking effect later this month, the UAE continues to position itself as one of the Middle East's most accessible destinations for international travellers.
