United Arab Emirates · Visa & entry · 2026
Getting into Dubai for 2026
The version of the visa story that doesn’t bury the answer. Rules current as of . This is reference material, not legal advice — when stakes are high, double-check the official ministry source.
Visa-free entry — by where your passport is from
US, UK, EU/EEA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong
30 days visa-on-arrival (free), extendable in-country for an additional 30 days.
GCC nationals
Free movement / no visa required.
Staying longer: the digital-nomad route
Dubai Virtual Working Programme
Remote employees of foreign companies who want to live in Dubai for up to a year. Includes Emirates ID, telecoms, schooling access.
- Duration
- 1-year residence permit, renewable.
- Income requirement
- $5,000/month minimum, with proof of last month's pay slip + 3 months of bank statements.
Edge · Zero personal income tax. The $611 fee + medical insurance are all-in costs.
Official application route →Gotchas — what most people get wrong
30 days is calendar days, not business days. Start counting from your arrival stamp; overstaying is AED 200/day in fines.
Public displays of affection, alcohol consumption outside licensed venues, and certain photography (military, government buildings) are enforced — not just on paper.
Ramadan changes daytime norms: many restaurants close until iftar; eating, drinking or smoking in public is prohibited during fasting hours.
Cash to UAE is reliable; cash from the UAE has reporting thresholds — declare amounts >AED 60,000 (~€15,000) on exit.
Official sources
This page is reference material maintained by hand. Visa rules change on a calendar that doesn’t respect anyone’s travel plans — when in doubt, verify with the source.
See also: weather & climate · local guides.