Big UAE Visa Update: Indians, Filipinos, Indonesians, Thais, Kenyans & South Africans Now Eligible for Visa-on-Arrival

If you've been holding off on a UAE trip because the visa paperwork felt complicated, this week's update from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) might be the nudge you needed. The UAE has just widened its entry visa-on-arrival programme — both the 14-day and 60-day categories — to cover six brand-new nationalities and six new countries of residence.

In plain English: a lot more people can now land in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, pick up a visa at the counter, and start their holiday or business trip without a pre-approval form. Here's exactly who qualifies, what it costs, and the smart way to avoid the airport queue.

What changed

Until now, the UAE's "land-and-get-a-visa" facility for residents of the US, EU and UK was limited to Indian nationals. The amended ICP rules extend the same convenience to six more passports and add six more qualifying countries of residence.

Newly eligible nationalities

• 🇮🇳 India (already eligible — unchanged)
• 🇮🇩 Indonesia
• 🇻🇳 Vietnam
• 🇹🇭 Thailand
• 🇵🇭 Philippines
• 🇰🇪 Kenya
• 🇿🇦 South Africa

Newly accepted countries of residence

You must hold a valid residence permit from one of these countries:

• 🇺🇸 United States (existing)
• 🇪🇺 EU Member States (existing)
• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom (existing)
• 🇸🇬 Singapore (new)
• 🇯🇵 Japan (new)
• 🇰🇷 South Korea (new)
• 🇦🇺 Australia (new)
• 🇳🇿 New Zealand (new)
• 🇨🇦 Canada (new)

Who exactly qualifies

Two conditions, both have to be true — for you and any family members travelling with you:

1. You hold a passport from one of the seven eligible nationalities above.
2. You hold a valid residence permit from one of the nine approved countries of residence.

So, for example: an Indonesian software engineer living in Singapore, a Filipino nurse based in Tokyo, a Kenyan student in Toronto, or a South African professional in Sydney — all now qualify to walk up to the visa counter in the UAE.

Fees and length of stay

Two options, depending on how long you plan to stay:

• 14-day visa — Dh100. Can be extended once while you're in the UAE.
• 60-day visa — Dh250. Single-entry, non-extendable. Once it expires, you leave.

Overstay penalty? Dh50 per day, every day past your authorised stay. Don't gamble — the fine adds up fast and can complicate future visa applications.

Why a lot of travellers still apply for a pre-approved UAE e-Visa

"Visa-on-arrival" sounds frictionless on paper. In practice, at Dubai Terminal 3 on a Friday night, the visa counter can mean a 45–90 minute wait while staff verify your residency, sometimes call a supervisor, and occasionally ask for proof of accommodation or a return ticket. If one document is shaky — a residence permit close to expiry, a missing endorsement — you can be pulled aside.

That's why seasoned travellers (and most travel agents) still recommend the UAE Tourist e-Visa:

• Faster immigration lane. Pre-approved visa holders skip the visa-on-arrival counter and head straight to the regular passport line.
• Certainty before you board. Airlines have been known to deny boarding when residence documents look ambiguous — a printed e-Visa removes that risk.
• Choice of duration. 30, 60, even 90-day single or multiple-entry options — pick what fits your trip, not just what the counter offers.
• Family applications in one go. Spouse, kids, parents — submit together in one batch.

Practical checklist before you fly

• Passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date.
• Residence permit from a qualifying country, valid for at least 6 months.
• Confirmed return or onward ticket.
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host's address).
• Enough funds to cover your stay — officers occasionally ask.

Why the UAE is opening up

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs framed the expansion as part of the UAE's wider push to strengthen people-to-people ties with friendly nations and reinforce its position as a global hub for talent, business and tourism. Translation: more visitors, more spend, more long-term residents — and a passport network that keeps climbing the global mobility rankings.

For travellers, the takeaway is simpler. The door to the UAE just opened wider, the rules are clearer, and the smart move — whether you're a Filipino expat in Singapore, an Indonesian based in Sydney, or a Kenyan resident in Toronto — is to plan the trip you've been thinking about.

Quick FAQs

Do I still need to apply online if I qualify for visa-on-arrival?

Technically no — but a pre-approved UAE e-Visa lets you skip the airport visa queue, locks in your entry, and avoids any last-minute boarding issues with the airline. Many travellers consider the small extra fee worth the peace of mind.

Can my family travel with me on the same rules?

Yes. Accompanying family members must also be nationals of the eligible countries and hold a valid residence permit from one of the approved countries.

Is the 60-day visa extendable?

No. The 60-day visa is single-entry and non-extendable. Only the 14-day visa can be extended once.

What's the overstay fine?

Dh50 per day, starting the day after your authorised stay ends.

Sources: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP); UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Khaleej Times (25 June 2026). Fees and rules are accurate at the time of publishing and may be amended by UAE authorities — always confirm with ICP or your eVisas.io account manager before you fly.