Skip to content or footer
Immigration & visas

Passport control & visas

Ensure visa eligibility before embarking on a trip to Dubai
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens
Citizens of GCC countries do not require a visa, permit, or sponsorship by a national or resident in the UAE. They simply need to present their GCC passport or national ID card at the airport.
Visa on arrival

Citizens of the following countries are eligible for a free visa on arrival

Flag of AustraliaAustraliaFlag of AustriaAustriaFlag of BelgiumBelgium
Flag of BruneiBruneiFlag of BulgariaBulgariaFlag of CanadaCanada
Flag of ChinaChinaFlag of CroatiaCroatiaFlag of CyprusCyprus
Flag of Czech RepublicCzech RepublicFlag of DenmarkDenmarkFlag of EstoniaEstonia
Flag of FinlandFinlandFlag of FranceFranceFlag of GermanyGermany
Flag of GreeceGreeceFlag of Hong KongHong KongFlag of HungaryHungary
Flag of IcelandIcelandFlag of IrelandIrelandFlag of ItalyItaly
Flag of JapanJapanFlag of LatviaLatviaFlag of LiechtensteinLiechtenstein
Flag of LithuaniaLithuaniaFlag of LuxembourgLuxembourgFlag of MalaysiaMalaysia
Flag of MaltaMaltaFlag of MonacoMonacoFlag of NetherlandsNetherlands
Flag of New ZealandNew ZealandFlag of NorwayNorwayFlag of PolandPoland
Flag of PortugalPortugalFlag of RomaniaRomaniaFlag of RussiaRussia
Flag of San MarinoSan MarinoFlag of SingaporeSingaporeFlag of SlovakiaSlovakia
Flag of SloveniaSloveniaFlag of South KoreaSouth KoreaFlag of SpainSpain
Flag of SwedenSwedenFlag of SwitzerlandSwitzerlandFlag of The VaticanThe Vatican
Flag of United KingdomUnited KingdomFlag of United States of AmericaUnited States of America 
Getting a visa for Dubai

For citizens of countries not included in the above list, a visa is required to enter Dubai. Check the cost and procedure for applying for a UAE visa with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or for details, call 800 5111 from Dubai or +9714313999 from overseas. 

Some visitors may also have to complete an eye scan when they reach passport control.

Visa rules are subject to change. Always confirm with respective airline, the GDRFA and The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs for updated information.

For questions about visas at the airport, visit the GDRFA visa office in Terminal 3 arrivals near Entrance 1. The center is open 24/7.


Leaving Dubai  

Check visa requirements as per the final destination. Guests may not be allowed to travel if they don't have the correct visa.

Smart Gates

Smart Gates are an advanced passport control system available at DXB and DWC. They allow guests arriving and departing the airport to pass through passport control swiftly, typically within seconds, thanks to their enhanced features and contactless process.

UAE and GCC nationals, UAE residents and visa-on-arrival guests with biometric passports can use the Smart Gates. First-time Smart Gates users are registered to use the Smart Gates when entering the passport control touchpoint upon arrival at DXB or DWC. If you’re registered for Smart Gates, you can pass through by simply looking at the green light without needing to scan a document. Remember to remove anything covering the face such as a masks, glasses, and hats and keep the passport and boarding pass ready in case they are needed.

People of Determination (individuals with disabilities or impairments) and guests with large strollers, families with children and guests under 1.2 meters in height are ineligible to use the Smart Gates.

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) website allows guests to check eligibility to use the Smart Gate service.

You’re going to open an external website

You have clicked on an external link that we have provided to you for reference or resource.

Continue to website

Do you accept our cookie policy?

We use cookies to give you the best experience, and to measure how people use this site. If you continue to use the site without changing your browser settings you agree to our use of cookies.

Customise settings

Customise your cookie settings

Read our privacy policy to review all detailed information.

Accept all cookies