UAE entry falls into a handful of clear tiers based on nationality, and knowing which one applies to you before booking avoids a surprise at check-in. This guide reflects the current 2026 structure, including a significant expansion made in June 2026 — but entry rules do genuinely change, so always confirm your specific case on the official ICP or GDRFA channels before travelling.
The tiers, broadly
GCC nationals (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar) enter freely with no visa requirement at all. A large group of nationalities — commonly including the UK, most EU countries, the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and several dozen others — receive a free 90-day visa-free entry, multiple entries permitted, though working is not allowed on this basis. A separate group receives a 30-day visa-on-arrival at the airport, generally extendable. Nationalities not appearing in either group need a pre-arranged visa before travelling — this includes several of the world's most populous countries, so do not assume visa-on-arrival applies to you by default.
The newest addition: conditional Group 2 eligibility
Since 25 June 2026, six additional nationalities — Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa — gained conditional visa-on-arrival access, covered in more depth in this site's dedicated Group 2 guide. The key detail: eligibility depends on holding a qualifying visa or residence permit from a specific list of countries, not nationality alone.
What to actually do before booking
Confirm your specific nationality's current status directly through ICP or GDRFA channels, particularly given how recently parts of this system changed — a guide (including this one) is a starting reference point, not a substitute for checking your own case.