ABU DHABI (Agencies) — The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expanded its visa-on-arrival programme to include citizens of six additional countries, a move aimed at boosting tourism, business travel and international connectivity while strengthening ties with key partner nations.
Under the new policy, nationals of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa holding ordinary passports will be eligible to obtain a visa on arrival when entering the UAE. The facility will also extend to accompanying family members who meet the required conditions.
According to UAE authorities, eligible travellers must hold a valid residence permit issued by the United States, a member state of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
Travellers meeting these requirements will be able to obtain either a 14-day visa or a 60-day visa upon arrival in the UAE, depending on the category of visa issued.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision reflects the country’s commitment to facilitating international travel and enhancing people-to-people connections with friendly nations. Officials noted that the initiative is part of broader efforts to provide visitors with a seamless travel experience while supporting economic and cultural exchanges.
The ministry emphasised that the expanded visa-on-arrival scheme will create greater opportunities for visitors from the six countries to explore the UAE’s diverse cultural attractions, world-class tourism sector, advanced infrastructure and thriving business environment.
Officials added that the UAE will continue working closely with relevant national authorities and international partners to simplify travel procedures and improve consular services, reinforcing the country’s position as a leading global destination for tourism, investment and entrepreneurship.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) said the latest amendments form part of ongoing efforts to modernise the UAE’s visa framework and align immigration services with international best practices.
The authority stated that expanding eligibility for visa-on-arrival facilities supports the UAE’s competitiveness in global rankings related to travel, tourism and residency while strengthening cooperation with partner countries.
Under the updated regulations, the 14-day visa can be extended once while the visitor remains in the UAE. However, the 60-day visa is issued for a single stay and cannot be extended beyond its validity period.
Authorities clarified that visitors must leave the country upon the expiry of their visa. Those who overstay will be subject to a penalty of Dh50 per day.
The ICP also announced the applicable fees for the new visa categories. The total issuance fee for the 14-day visa is Dh100, while the fee for the 60-day visa is Dh250.
Industry observers believe the expanded visa-on-arrival programme could encourage increased visitor arrivals from rapidly growing economies in Asia and Africa. The measure is also expected to benefit business travellers, investors and tourists who already maintain legal residency status in major developed economies.
The latest announcement further underscores the UAE’s strategy of enhancing travel accessibility and maintaining its status as one of the world’s most connected and visitor-friendly destinations.
What it means
The new policy simplifies entry procedures for eligible travellers from six countries and is expected to strengthen tourism, trade and investment links with the UAE.
Impact
The move could increase visitor numbers, support the hospitality sector and enhance business opportunities by making short-term travel to the UAE more convenient.
Future outlook
The expansion may pave the way for additional visa facilitation measures as the UAE continues pursuing policies designed to attract tourists, skilled professionals, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world.
Pakistan angle
The development highlights the UAE’s continued focus on easing travel requirements for selected nationalities. Pakistani travellers remain subject to existing UAE visa regulations, although the announcement may influence future discussions on regional mobility and travel facilitation initiatives.
