UAE Expands Visa-on-Arrival Programme for Six Countries
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has significantly enhanced its visa-on-arrival programme, now welcoming citizens from six countries to travel to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the rest of the Emirates without prior visa applications. This initiative, which began on June 25, allows passport holders from the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Africa, and Kenya to obtain a visa upon arrival, provided they also hold a residence permit issued by specific countries.
These eligible countries include the United States, the United Kingdom, European Union member states, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. This move is expected to boost tourism and business travel between the UAE and these nations, as they are already well-connected through direct air routes.
Here is an overview of the airlines currently operating direct passenger flights between the UAE and each of the six destinations:
Philippines
Cities served: - Manila - Cebu - Clark
Airlines: - Emirates: Three daily direct flights from Dubai to Manila; one daily service to Clark with a stop in Cebu. - Etihad Airways: One daily direct flight to Manila. - Cebu Pacific: Four flights a week from Manila to Dubai (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays), relaunching on July 2 after being suspended during the Iran war. - Philippine Airlines: Direct daily flights between Manila and Dubai scheduled to resume on August 3 after being suspended during the Iran war.
Thailand
Cities served: - Bangkok - Phuket - Krabi - Chiang Mai
Airlines: - Emirates: Three daily direct flights from Dubai to Bangkok; two daily services to Phuket. - Etihad: Four daily direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok, with some flights continuing to Krabi and Chiang Mai; four daily direct flights to Phuket. - Flydubai: One daily direct flight from Dubai to Bangkok; one daily direct flight to Krabi. - Air Arabia: Three daily direct flights each from Sharjah to Bangkok and Phuket; one daily direct flight to Krabi.
Indonesia
Cities served: - Jakarta - Bali
Airlines: - Emirates: Two daily direct flights each from Dubai to Jakarta and Bali. - Etihad: Two daily direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Jakarta; one direct service to Bali.
Vietnam
Cities served: - Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi - Da Nang
Airlines: - Emirates: One daily direct flight from Dubai to Ho Chi Minh City; five direct flights a week from Dubai to Hanoi (Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays); four direct flights a week from Dubai to Da Nang (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays). - Etihad: One daily direct flight from Abu Dhabi to Hanoi.
Kenya
Cities served: - Nairobi
Airlines: - Emirates: Two daily direct flights from Dubai to Nairobi. - Etihad: Two daily direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Nairobi. - Air Arabia: One daily direct flight from Sharjah to Nairobi, and an additional direct flight three times a week to Nairobi (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays). - Kenya Airways: One daily direct flight from Nairobi to Dubai.
South Africa
Cities served: - Johannesburg - Cape Town
Airlines: - Emirates: Four daily direct flights from Dubai to Johannesburg; two daily direct flights to Cape Town. - Etihad: One daily direct flight from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg.
New Visa-on-Arrival Rules
Eligible travelers can choose between two options: - A 14-day visa on arrival, costing Dh100 (extendable once for an additional 14 days at Dh250). - A 60-day visa on arrival, costing Dh250 and non-extendable.
Those who overstay will face an overstay fine of Dh50 per day, as stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Special Visa-on-Arrival Scheme for Indians
Indian passport holders can also obtain a 14-day visa on arrival if they hold: - A valid US visa or green card - A valid UK visa or UK residence permit - A valid visa or residence permit from an EU member state - A valid residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, or South Korea
This visa costs Dh231.
Other Countries Eligible for a UAE Visa on Arrival
The UAE already offers visa-on-arrival entry to passport holders from dozens of countries, with varying lengths of stay depending on nationality.
30-Day Visa on Arrival (Free)
Passport holders from the following countries and territories can receive a 30-day visa on arrival free of charge: - Andorra - Brunei - Hong Kong (China) - Kazakhstan - Macau (China) - Malaysia - Mauritius - Monaco - Mongolia - Republic of Ireland - Ukraine - Uzbekistan - Vatican City
90-Day Visa on Arrival (Free)
Citizens of the following countries receive a multiple-entry 90-day visa, valid for six months from the date of issue: - Albania - Argentina - Armenia - Australia - Austria - Azerbaijan - Bahamas - Barbados - Belarus - Belgium - Bosnia and Herzegovina - 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 - Maldives - Malta - Mexico* - Moldova - Montenegro - Nauru - Netherlands - New Zealand - North Macedonia - Norway - Paraguay - Peru - Poland - Portugal - Republic of Guyana - Romania - Russia - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - San Marino - Serbia - Seychelles - Singapore - Slovakia - Slovenia - Solomon Islands - South Korea - Spain - Sweden - Switzerland - United Kingdom - United States - Uruguay
- Mexican passport holders are eligible for a multiple-entry 180-day visa, valid for six months.
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