Filipinos who carry residence documents from a wider set of countries can now step off a plane in the United Arab Emirates and secure entry without lining up a visa beforehand, following a refreshed advisory the Department of Foreign Affairs released on August 18, 2026.
Those who qualify can choose between two entry windows, each with its own fee and extension terms:
| Duration of stay | Fee | Extension |
|---|---|---|
| 14 days | AED 100 | May be extended once for an additional 14 days at a fee of AED 250 |
| 60 days | AED 250 | Not extendable |
Eligibility turns on what a traveler holds alongside a regular Philippine passport. Those carrying valid visas or residence permits from the United States, the United Kingdom, or any member state of the European Union fall within the scope of the policy. A separate group qualifies through valid residence permits issued by Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore, and New Zealand.
A timing rule applies across the board: the Philippine passport and whatever supporting document a traveler relies on — a visa, a residence permit, or a Green Card — each has to carry at least six months of remaining validity when the application is lodged.
Travelers have two channels for filing. One is directly at UAE airports; the other runs through the ICP Smart Services website. Choosing the online route through the portal adds a further AED 150 charge for every request submitted.
The Department cautioned that clearing these conditions does not lock in entry. As the DFA put it, “The issuance of a visa upon arrival and admission into the UAE remain subject to the assessment and approval of the relevant UAE immigration authorities.”
The revised guidance builds on a scheme the UAE first opened to qualified Filipino nationals on June 25, 2026, a measure the DFA at the time tied to the strength of relations between Manila and Abu Dhabi.
