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Visa Requirements for Citizens of the United Arab Emirates

Learn about visa requirements for Emirati citizens to enter any country around the world.

Visa Requirements for Emirati Citizens

The visa requirements for citizens of the United Arab Emirates are the rules and regulations that govern which entry permits Emiratis need, if any, to enter different countries and territories around the world.

The Henley Passport Index ranks the UAE passport as the 16th strongest in the world, permitting holders to visit over 170 destinations without having to go to an embassy to apply for a traditional visa.

Visa requirements for Emiratis vary depending on the country or territory they are traveling to. Different types of visa may be required for different purposes or lengths of visit.

UAE citizens are eligible to apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for short-term visits to a number of different destinations. These digital entry permits offer the convenience of applying online.

Certain countries and territories have a visa on arrival (VoA) option for nationals of the United Arab Emirates. This is applied for when entering the country, but involves waiting in line to fill out the form and spending lots of time at border control.

Other countries’ visa requirements for Emirati citizens dictate that they must apply for a visa at an embassy for any type or length of visit.

Conversely, some sovereign states and territories have a policy of visa exemption for UAE nationals, allowing them to enter without any type of visa or travel authorization.

Read on to learn more about the visa requirements for UAE citizens for different destinations.

List of Visa Countries for Emirati Passport Holders

UAE passport holders are required to obtain a visa or travel authorization to visit over 100 different countries or territories around the globe in 2021.

Emirati travelers must obtain the correct type of entry permit for the length of time they intend to spend in the destination and for the purpose of travel.

In order to move to, work in, or study in virtually any foreign country, Emiratis must apply for the relevant visa or permit from an embassy.

On the other hand, only certain countries require citizens of the UAE to apply for a tourist visa, business visa, or transit visa from a diplomatic mission.

Other countries have other options for tourist visas for Emiratis. Some have online systems for UAE nationals to get an electronic visa (eVisa), which is a quick and easy process compared to applying at an embassy.

A number of destinations have no visa requirements for UAE passport holders.

However, in some cases, the Emirati traveler must register their details online with an electronic travel authorization (eTA) system to be granted a visa waiver. Such systems are similar to eVisas.

Countries and territories that require Emirati passport holders to apply for a visa or travel authorization in 2021 are displayed on the map below.

Electronic Travel Visa Authorization for Citizens of the UAE

Nationals of the United Arab Emirates can obtain a visa or travel authorization online in order to enter various countries and territories. These electronic visas (eVisas) and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) provide the most convenient way to obtain an entry permit.

An eVisa for Emirati travelers has the same status as a visa from an embassy, but can be obtained more easily via a quick online application.

An eTA for UAE passport holders is a visa waiver, which allows Emiratis to travel visa-free if they register with an online system. In practice, this is very similar to an eVisa, although eTA applications for Emiratis are usually even more streamlined than their eVisa counterparts.

Emirati citizens can get either an eVisa or an eTA for around 20 different countries for short visits.

Electronic travel authorizations and eVisas for UAE citizens permit the holder to enter for the purpose of tourism and, in some cases, other purposes such as business or transit.

Depending on the country or territory, an eVisa or eTA permits nationals of the UAE to stay for a maximum of between 30 days and 6 months. Many allow the holder to enter more than once.

In many cases, eVisas and eTA are electronically linked to the UAE passport whose details were entered during the application. If so, the approved entry permit will be viewed when the passport is scanned. For other countries, a hard copy must be presented upon arrival.

If in doubt, it is advisable to print a copy of the eVisa/eTA to present at border control.

See below the list of destinations that offer an eVisa or eTA to Emirati visitors.

Countries for nationality

Visa On Arrival for UAE Citizens

A visa on arrival (VoA) for Emirati passport holders is an entry permit that can be applied for at border control when entering the destination country or territory.

Over 35 different destinations provide visa on arrival facilities for citizens of the UAE.

VoAs for Emiratis are usually only valid for short stays, with the majority permitting only a single entry. The maximum period of time that a traveler from the Emirates can spend in a foreign country with a VoA varies from 7 days to 3 months.

UAE passport holders may obtain a visa on arrival for a visit for the purposes of tourism and leisure. Some destinations also allow VoAs to be used for business visits or transit.

Although a visa on arrival service can be useful for nationals of the United Arab Emirates making a last-minute trip, there are several disadvantages.

Firstly, the Emirati national will have to spend lots of valuable time queuing at border control to obtain and fill out the application form and wait while it is processed.

Secondly, if any of the required supporting documentation is missing or there is another problem with the application, the UAE citizen could be denied entry and forced to return home.

For this reason, it is highly recommended to apply for an eVisa in advance if the destination also offers this option. This allows time to resolve any problems in the rare event of an application being denied.

Consult the list of VoA countries for Emirati citizens below.

Visa On Arrival for UAE Citizens: Country list

  • Bangladesh
  • Bolivia
  • Comoros
  • Congo
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Gabon
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Guyana
  • Liberia
  • Macau
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritania
  • Mozambique
  • Niger
  • Pakistan
  • Palau
  • Paraguay
  • Samoa
  • Senegal
  • Somalia
  • Timor-Leste
  • Tuvalu
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
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Embassy Visa Required by Emiratis

An embassy or consular visa for UAE citizens can refer to any type of visa obtained from an overseas diplomatic mission.

Visa requirements for Emiratis for almost all foreign countries and territories dictate that residence visas or permits, work visas, study visas, and long-stay visas must be obtained by applying in person at an embassy or consulate.

In addition, around 80 destinations require Emirati travelers to apply for embassy visas for any purpose or length of stay.

This includes short visits for tourism or business, as well as for transit through the country or territory.

Emirati applicants must bring the necessary supporting documents to the embassy or consulate in question and submit a completed form. In some cases, they may be required to undergo an interview. Certain countries ask that visa applicants book an appointment.

Foreign embassies in the United Arab Emirates can be found in Abu Dhabi. A number of Consulates-General are also found in Dubai. UAE nationals in other countries can usually find embassies located in capital cities, while other major cities often have consulates.

Browse the list below to see which countries require Emirati citizens to apply for an embassy visa for entry for any reason or length of stay (including short tourist visits).

Embassy Visa Required by Emiratis: Country list

  • Afghanistan
  • Aland Islands
  • Algeria
  • American Samoa
  • Antarctica
  • Armenia
  • Australia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bhutan
  • Bonaire
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Burundi
  • Cameroon
  • Cayman Islands
  • Central African Republic
  • Christmas Island
  • Cocos Islands
  • Cook Islands
  • Cuba
  • Curacao
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Falkland Islands
  • Faroe Islands
  • French Guiana
  • French Polynesia
  • Ghana
  • Gibraltar
  • Greenland
  • Guadeloupe
  • Guam
  • Guernsey
  • Iraq
  • Isle of Man
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Jersey
  • Kiribati
  • Libya
  • Martinique
  • Mayotte
  • Mongolia
  • Montserrat
  • Myanmar
  • Namibia
  • New Caledonia
  • Niue
  • Norfolk Island
  • North Korea
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Peru
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • Puerto Rico
  • Reunion
  • Saint Barthelemy
  • Saint Helena
  • Saint Martin
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • Sint Maarten
  • South Africa
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
  • Suriname
  • Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Tokelau
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkmenistan
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • United States Virgin Islands
  • Venezuela
  • Wallis and Futuna
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Visa Not Required by Citizens of the United Arab Emirates

Emirati travelers currently enjoy exemption from visa requirements and travel authorizations for various countries and territories

Over 100 different destinations permit citizens of the UAE to enter without a visa.

This visa exemption for Emiratis is usually limited to short stays for the purposes of leisure and tourism. It also tends to allow travelers from the UAE to transit through the country in question visa-free. Some destinations also allow business trips without an entry permit.

The maximum length of time Emiratis may stay in these countries without a visa varies between 15 and 360 days, depending on the visa requirements of the destination.

For longer stays, or to live, work, or study in the majority of these countries, UAE passport holders will need to obtain the relevant visa. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are notable exceptions.

Find the countries which allow citizens of the United Arab Emirates to visit without a visa in the list below.

Visa Not Required by Citizens of the United Arab Emirates: Country list

  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Austria
  • Bahrain
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Bulgaria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Chad
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Estonia
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macedonia
  • Malaysia
  • Mali
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Nauru
  • Netherlands
  • Nicaragua
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Palestinian Territory
  • Panama
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • San Marino
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia
  • Seychelles
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • Spain
  • Sudan
  • Swaziland
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • Thailand
  • Tonga
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • Uruguay
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
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GCC Countries

The United Arab Emirates is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Under the rules of this bloc, UAE citizens have a right to freedom of movement to all other member countries.

This means that Emiratis enjoy complete visa exemption, including the right to live and work in GCC member states without a visa.

In addition, UAE nationals do not need to bring their passport, as they can enter these sovereign states using their national ID card instead.

The only exception to this is Qatar. Due to an ongoing political situation, the Emirati government has banned its citizens from visiting.

Emiratis enjoy freedom of movement to the following GCC countries:

  • Bahrain
  • Kuwait
  • Oman
  • Saudi Arabia

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