Visas & entry essentials
Know what your passport needs.
Understand what to check before entering Dubai: visa eligibility, passport validity, transit plans and official application channels.
Start here ↓
- 01 / START WITH THIS
Check the rules for your own passport and circumstances.
- 02 / START WITH THIS
Use official immigration guidance before booking.
- 03 / START WITH THIS
Recheck requirements with your airline before departure.
In this guide
Start with your passport.
Entry arrangements depend on nationality, passport type and other circumstances. Some travellers can obtain a visa on arrival; others need permission in advance. Do not assume that travelling with someone who has a different passport gives you the same eligibility.
The UAE Government’s visa page links to official immigration services and participating airlines. Use those sources to check your situation. A travel guide or an old country list should not be the final basis for deciding whether you can board.
Check validity, names and dates.
The UAE Government’s general guidance states that passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Check the requirements applicable to your travel document directly with immigration and the airline, particularly if your circumstances are unusual.
Make sure the name on your booking matches your travel document. If you already have a visa or entry permit, read its validity, permitted stay and conditions carefully. The date by which you can enter and the length of time you may remain are different questions.
- Keep a copy of your travel document and permission to enter.
- Have your accommodation and onward travel details available.
- Check each traveller separately, including children.
Apply through the right channel.
Official UAE guidance points travellers to immigration authorities and airline visa services. Start with those links rather than an advertisement promising approval. Check the applicant requirements, fees, processing arrangements and who is responsible for the application.
Leave enough time for the process and any document corrections before committing to non-refundable plans. An application is not an approval. We do not issue visas, collect application documents or guarantee entry.
A stopover needs its own plan.
Transferring between flights without entering the country is different from leaving the airport to visit Dubai. Before arranging a city stopover, check whether your itinerary requires you to pass immigration, collect baggage or change airports.
Ask the airline about a connection involving separate tickets or an airport change. Then confirm the entry permission needed for that exact journey. Leave time for the trip back, check-in and security; a short sightseeing window on paper can disappear quickly.
Recheck before you fly.
Visa rules and eligibility lists can change. Review the official information again near departure and confirm any unclear point with the airline and the appropriate immigration authority. If a document has changed since you booked, resolve that before reaching the airport.
For changes to a stay, extensions or an existing visa issue, contact the issuing authority or authorised service. Do not rely on a general visitor article to calculate deadlines or assume an extension will be available.
Your questions, answered.
Do all visitors need a visa before flying?
No. Some visitors are eligible for visa on arrival, while others need permission in advance. Check the official requirements for your passport and circumstances.
Does this website process visa applications?
No. Use the official immigration or airline channels linked in this guide. We provide a checklist of what to verify, not an eligibility decision.
Can I use the same entry rules as a friend travelling with me?
Not necessarily. Nationality, passport type and other circumstances can affect the requirements. Check every traveller individually.
Sources & useful links.
Information checked on . Practical suggestions are from I Love Dubai; the official sources below cover the service details. Check current requirements with the relevant authority or operator before travelling.