United Arab Emirates entry rules

Q: How long must my passport be valid?

The general UAE rule is at least 6 months from entry.

Last checked: 19 October 2026 · Middle East entry rules

UAE entry permission depends on nationality and, for some travellers, residence or visas held elsewhere. GCC citizens enter without a visa. Some nationalities receive a visa on arrival and others need an advance visa ¹. A passport normally needs at least six months from the entry date ¹. Apply only through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, Dubai's GDRFA, or another official channel listed by the UAE government ².

GCC citizens: No visa required ¹
Other travellers: Visa-free, visa on arrival or advance visa according to nationality ¹
Passport: Normally at least 6 months from entry ¹
GCC residents: Advance eVisa required if not a GCC citizen ³
Official channels: ICP and GDRFA Dubai ²
Checked: 19 October 2026

Check your passport category

The UAE government divides visitors into GCC citizens, nationalities eligible for visa-free entry or visa on arrival, and travellers who must obtain a visa before travel ¹.

Visa-on-arrival lists can change. The government page tells travellers to confirm with the UAE embassy for their passport before departure. A residence card from another country does not create a general visa exemption ¹.

Passport and travel documents

The official UAE entry page states that passports must normally remain valid for at least 6 months from entry. A special rule may apply to a particular passport or permit, so use the official eligibility route for your case ¹.

Carry the passport used for the visa or entry-permit application. A permit issued against one passport may not match a replacement document at airline or border checks.

Where to apply

The UAE government lists the ICP website and app for federal entry permits and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs website for Dubai. Registered service centres are another official route ².

The government tourist-visa page says people who are not eligible for visa on arrival can use an eligible sponsor or a self-sponsored visa category. A 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa is open to all nationalities if its financial, insurance and onward-ticket conditions are met ⁴.

GCC residents

A person who lives in a GCC state but is not a GCC citizen needs an online entry permit before arrival. The UAE page states that the permit is valid for 30 days from issue and permits a 30-day stay, with one 30-day extension ³.

The GCC residence must normally have at least one year left from arrival, and the passport must have at least 6 months left. The applicant's profession is assessed against the approved list ³.

Do not confuse official and commercial channels

Start at u.ae or icp.gov.ae ^1,2.
For Dubai, use the GDRFA Dubai link listed by u.ae ².
Check the exact category and amount before paying.
Do not assume an airline booking includes an entry permit.
Keep the issued permit and the matching passport available for check-in.

Common questions

Do GCC citizens need a UAE visa?

No. The UAE government says GCC citizens do not need a visa to enter ¹.

Do GCC residents need a visa?

Non-citizen GCC residents need an advance eVisa and must meet the residence, passport and profession conditions ³.

How long must my passport be valid?

The general UAE rule is at least 6 months from entry ¹.

Can every nationality apply for the 5-year tourist visa?

The official page says the self-sponsored 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa can be issued to all nationalities if the conditions are met ⁴.

What are the official application sites?

Use ICP for federal permits or GDRFA Dubai for Dubai permits through the links listed by the UAE government ².

Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email hello@entryrulesexplained.com with the official link.

Sources

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