UAE Adds Visa-on-Arrival for Six Nationalities With Foreign Residency

The United Arab Emirates has widened its visa-on-arrival program to cover citizens of six additional countries, provided they already hold valid residency elsewhere. The change, announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and effective June 25, opens a quicker entry route for remote workers and long-term visitors from these nations.

What changed

Passport holders from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa no longer need to arrange an entry visa in advance — but only if they hold valid residence status in an approved country. Qualifying jurisdictions include the United States, the United Kingdom, EU member states, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Accompanying family members are covered under the same conditions.

At border checkpoints, travelers can choose between two options processed by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security:

• 14-day visa: AED 100 (about $27), with one extension allowed.
• 60-day visa: AED 250 (about $68), single-entry with no extensions.

Overstaying either option triggers a penalty of AED 50 (about $14) per day once the initial stay expires.

Dubai property residence rules eased

Alongside the border update, Dubai adjusted its investor residence framework. Under the Dubai Land Department's Tasqeen system, sole property owners can now obtain a two-year residency permit without meeting a minimum property valuation threshold. Joint owners must still hold a personal equity share of at least AED 400,000 (about $108,900).

The property visa requires an in-person application with a passport, personal photo, and an electronic title deed, for a total fee of AED 10,212.50 (about $2,780).

What it means for nomads

For eligible remote workers, the on-arrival route is a low-cost, low-friction way to scout the UAE for a couple of weeks or up to two months. It removes the need to file paperwork before flying, which is useful for those weighing Dubai or Abu Dhabi as a base.

The key limitation is time. The visa-on-arrival options top out at 60 days, and there are no extensions on the longer stay. Anyone planning to remain beyond that window will need to shift onto a formal track — such as employment sponsorship or the property-linked residence permit — to avoid the daily overstay fines. If you already own property in Dubai, the revised Tasqeen rules may make the two-year residence permit more accessible than before, since the valuation floor no longer applies to sole owners.

As always, confirm current requirements with UAE authorities before booking, since eligibility depends on holding valid residency in one of the approved countries.

Originally reported by Stamped Nomad.