Published: 04.07.2026
The UAE expanded access to visa-on-arrival categories for nationals of India, Indonesia, Kenya, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam. For some categories, applicants must hold a valid residence permit from the US, UK, an EU member state, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada; the permitted stay is either 14 or 60 days depending on the category.
According to sources, nationals of seven countries now have broader access to visa-on-arrival options, but eligibility also depends on the applicant’s country of residence and the specific visa category. For short visits, this may remove the need to arrange a visa in advance, while making a qualifying residence permit in one of the listed countries an important condition. The change primarily affects nationals of India, Indonesia, Kenya, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam who live outside their country of citizenship. It is worth checking for people planning an initial entry or exploring relocation, although the facilitated entry route does not itself provide work rights or residence.