The United Arab Emirates has released its revised entry regulations, confirming that passport holders from at least 70 countries are eligible to enter the country without obtaining a visa in advance.
The updated policy is designed to simplify travel for international visitors as the UAE continues to receive millions of passengers through its major airports each year.
According to the 2026 regulations reported by Khaleej Times, visa-free privileges are grouped according to the length of stay granted.
Citizens and national identity card holders from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are allowed to enter the UAE without a visa, with no restrictions on the duration of their stay.
These countries are:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
Which nations get ninety days visa free?
A total of 49 countries are entitled to visa-free entry for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. Travellers covered under this arrangement are allowed to make multiple visits during the eligibility window but are not permitted to engage in any form of employment while in the UAE.
The eligible countries are:
- Albania
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas Islands
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic Of Guyana
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
- United States of America
- Uruguay
Who qualifies for thirty days entry?
A separate category grants eligible travellers a visa-free stay of up to 30 days upon arrival. In many instances, visitors under this arrangement can apply for an extension if they wish to remain longer.
Authorities have advised travellers in this category to confirm any additional entry requirements through official platforms such as the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security before making travel plans.
The countries in this bracket are:
- Andorra
- Brunei
- Hong Kong, China
- Kazakhstan
- Macau, China
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Republic of Ireland
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican City
Who can get conditional arrival visas?
The updated entry policy also includes a special category that offers either a 14-day or 60-day visa on arrival to citizens of selected countries. To benefit from this provision, travellers must possess a valid residence permit issued by an approved jurisdiction such as the US, UK, EU, Canada, or Japan.
The seven countries included in this conditional category are:
- India
- Indonesia
- Kenya
- Philippines
- South Africa
- Thailand
- Vietnam
