United Arab Emirates Visa and Passport Requirements

	Passport required	Return ticket required	Visa required
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
British	Yes	Yes	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Other EU	Yes	Yes	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes

Passports: 

To enter the United Arab Emirates, a passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond the end date of the stay is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Often, a sponsor will hold a visitor's passport. In these cases a receipt will be issued. This will generally be accepted in place of a passport where a transaction may require one.

Visas: 

Nationals referred to in the chart above, on business or tourist visits lasting 30 days, are issued visas free of charge on arrival, provided they meet the requirements of the Resident and Nationalisation Authorities.

Visa note: 

Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements for the United Arab Emirates.

Israeli citizens are not permitted to travel to the UAE.

Types and cost: 

Visit visa on arrival (for eligible nationals only): free.

Short visit visa (for those not eligible for the visa on arrival): £100. A sponsor (eg travel agency, hotel, company or individual) must apply for this on your behalf and you must collect it on arrival at the airport.

Long visit visa: £200. Again, a sponsor must apply for this on your behalf.

Multiple-entry visa: £400.

Validity: 

Visit visa on arrival: 30 days.

Short visit visa: valid for two months before entering the UAE and for a stay of up to 30 days.

Long visit visa: valid for two months before entering the UAE and for a stay of up to 90 days.

Multiple-entry visa: valid for multiple stays of up to 14 days in a six-month period.

Transit: 

You don't need a transit visa if you're connecting to another flight within 12 hours.

Application to: 

On arrival (if eligible), through a sponsor in the UAE, or at the embassy in your country.

If you require a pre-arranged visa and are flying to or via Dubai with Emirates, you can also apply for a visa online when booking your flight; more information is available from VFS Global (http://dubaivisa.net). Visas are available for 96 hours, 30 days or 90 days and you must apply at least four working days before you travel to Dubai. This option is only available to Emirates passengers.

Temporary residence: 

Unless you are a UAE national, residency is temporary and usually valid for three years.

Working days: 

Allow between three and five days for visa processing when arranged through a sponsor. However, allowances should be made for possible delays in approval procedure. It is strongly advised to apply well in advance of your departure date.

Sufficient funds: 

Some nationals may require proof that they have sufficient funds in their bank account to travel to the UAE. Check with the UAE Embassy in your home country for details.

Entry documents: 

A passport valid for six months, and a visa if you require one. Though it is often not enforced, it is recommended you have a valid return air ticket, a confirmed hotel booking, and at least US$1,000 in your bank account.

Extension of stay: 

Certain nationalities can extend their 30-day visa for an additional period of 30 days. Visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs website for further details (http://dnrd.ae/en). Alternatively extend a 30-day tourist visa on arrival by driving across the land borders to Oman. Overstaying your visa may result in a fine.

Entry restrictions: 

Long-stay visitors must pass an HIV test to obtain their visa.

Entry with pets: 

If bringing a pet, you should arrange a microchip and a rabies vaccination certificate 30 days prior to travel. You should also obtain an import permit from the Ministry of Environment and Water.

Embassies and tourist offices

British Embassy in Abu Dhabi

Telephone: (2) 610 1100.Website: http://ukinuae.fco.gov.ukOpening times: Sun-Thurs 0730-1430, (0800-1100 for consular services).

Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the UK

Telephone: (020) 7808 8307 or 0906 550 4550 (visa information).Website: http://www.uaeembassyuk.netOpening times: Mon-Fri 0900-1600. Consular services Mon-Fri 0900-1600 (visa applications); 1430-1530 (visa collection).

British Embassy in Dubai

Telephone: (4) 309 4444.Website: http://ukinuae.fco.gov.ukOpening times: Sun-Thurs 0730-1430; (0800-1100 for consular services).

Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the USA

Telephone: (202) 243 2400.Website: http://www.uae-embassy.orgOpening times: Mon-Fri 0900-1600. Consular services (legalisation, visas, passports) Mon–Thurs 0930-1300 and Fri 0930-1230.