The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has recently granted visa-free travel to citizens from over 80 countries, according to a report by Al Khaleej.
The ministry has also advised individuals to visit their official website for specific visa information and to stay updated on entry requirements.
This move allows nationals from countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and many EU member states to enter the UAE without the need for a pre-approved visa.
Additionally, the UAE Digital Government has confirmed that citizens from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can enter the UAE without needing a visa or sponsor. Upon arrival, they need only present a passport or ID card issued by a GCC nation.
Depending on their nationality, international travelers to the UAE may be granted visas that are valid for either 30 days—with a grace period of 10 additional days—or 90 days.
Indian citizens with ordinary passports can also benefit from a 14-day visa on arrival, which can be extended for an additional 14 days, provided they meet specific criteria such as holding a valid U.S. visit visa or resident card, or a resident visa from the UK and EU countries.
For travelers not included in the visa exemption or visa-on-arrival categories, it is mandatory to obtain an entry permit before arriving in the UAE. This permit must be acquired from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and will vary depending on the purpose of the visit.
In related news, the UAE passport currently ranks as the world’s most powerful on the Passport Index website. UAE passport holders can travel to 180 countries, with 127 offering visa-free access and 53 providing electronic visas or visas upon arrival.
These are countries/states whose citizens can enter the UAE visa-free, as per the latest MOFA list:
Australia
Swiss Confederation
Czech Republic
Slovak Republic
French Republic
Hellenic Republic (Republic of Greece)
Hungary
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United States of America
United Mexican States
Japan
Principality of Andorra
Principality of Liechtenstein
Principality of Monaco
Ukraine
Barbados
Brunei Darussalam
Solomon Islands
Republic of Azerbaijan
Republic of Estonia
Argentine Republic
Eastern Republic of Uruguay
Republic of Albania
Federative Republic of Brazil
Portuguese Republic
Republic of El Salvador
People’s Republic of China
Republic of Maldives
Federal Republic of Germany
Republic of Austria
Republic of Ireland
Republic of Iceland
Republic of Italy
Republic of Paraguay
Republic of Bulgaria
Republic of Poland
Republic of Peru
Republic of Belarus
Republic of Chile
Republic of San Marino
Republic of Slovenia
Republic of Singapore
Republic of Seychelles
Republic of Serbia
Republic of Finland
Republic of Cyprus
Republic of Kazakhstan
Republic of Croatia
Republic of Korea
Republic of Costa Rica
Republic of Colombia
Republic of Kiribati
Republic of Latvia
Republic of Lithuania
Republic of Malta
Republic of Mauritius
Republic of Nauru
Republic of Honduras
Georgia
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
State of Israel
State of Kuwait
State of Qatar
Vatican City State
Russian Federation
Romania
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Sultanate of Oman
Commonwealth of the Bahamas
Canada
Malaysia
Kingdom of Spain
Kingdom of Bahrain
Kingdom of Denmark
Kingdom of Sweden
Kingdom of Norway
Kingdom of Belgium
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Montenegro
New Zealand