Planning a trip to the UAE? Here's how to check your visa eligibility

More than 80 nationalities can now visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) without applying for a visa in advance, according to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The Ministry has launched an official online tool that helps visitors check if they need a visa, qualify for visa-free entry, or are eligible for a visa on arrival, according to a report by Gulf News. This comes as part of the UAE’s effort to simplify entry for tourists and business travellers.

UAE’s online visa tool for travellers

The MOFA tool is available on the Ministry’s official website. Visitors can either use an interactive world map or search for their nationality in a dropdown menu. Based on the selection, the result will show one of the following: visa-free entry, visa on arrival, or visa required.

Here’s what each category means:

• Visa-free: Travellers can enter the UAE without applying for a visa beforehand.
• Visa on arrival: Travellers can get a visa at the airport after arriving in the UAE.
• Visa required: Travellers need to apply for a tourist visa before departure.

Duration of stay based on visa type

For those eligible for visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry, the duration of stay depends on the traveller’s nationality. The standard categories are 30-day or 90-day stays. Visitors are advised to check the exact number of days allowed for their country using the MOFA tool.

Indian citizens and UAE visa on arrival

Indian passport holders with valid visas or resident permits from certain countries can get a visa on arrival. The accepted third-country documents include:

• Valid tourist visa or resident permit issued by the United States
• Green Card holders from the US
• Valid tourist visa or residence permit from any EU country, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, or Singapore

This policy applies at all UAE entry points. Family members of such Indian passport holders are also included in this provision.

Apply for a UAE tourist visa
Travellers from countries not eligible for visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry must apply for a UAE tourist visa in advance. There are three main ways to do this:

• UAE-based Airlines: Apply directly through airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai, or Air Arabia.
• Licensed travel agencies: Use a travel agent or tour operator approved by UAE authorities.
• UAE resident sponsorship: Apply with the sponsorship of a resident family member or friend living in the UAE.
• Apply visa from UAE Government's official portal.

Tourist visas are available for 14, 30, or 90 days, depending on the application method and the traveller’s purpose of visit.

Where to find official visa information

For clarity on visa type, allowed stay duration, and eligibility, travellers should refer to the following official sources of the UAE:

• Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)
• General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs- Dubai (GDRFA)
• Dubai Tourism Website
• Abu Dhabi Tourism Website