On 2 September 2026, the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) expanded the eligibility criteria for the entry visa — the visit visa issued on arrival. The update covers two categories — 14 days and 60 days — and adds six new nationalities. In parallel, the list of qualifying residence countries has been widened.
What exactly has changed
According to the ICP, endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nationals of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa are now eligible for the 14-day and 60-day entry visa categories. Fees and rules stay unchanged: the 14-day visa is issued at Dh100 with one extension available, while the 60-day visa costs Dh250, is single-entry and cannot be extended.
The list of qualifying residence countries has been widened in parallel. In addition to the previously accepted United States, European Union and United Kingdom, an entry visa is now available to residents of Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Practically, this means a resident of any of these countries — regardless of nationality — can apply for a UAE entry visa through the standard procedure.
Why it matters and for whom
The ICP frames the change as part of ongoing work to make entry into the UAE more convenient and to keep the country open for tourism. In practice, the decision touches three audiences at once. First — tourists from the six added countries: they no longer need to arrange a visa through a receiving party in advance. Second — business visitors: the 60-day category gives a comfortable horizon for meetings, negotiations and pre-contract visits without residence status. Third — expatriates living in qualifying countries: the wider residence list simplifies planning and family travel.
For business, the change also broadens the funnel of potential clients, partners and hires from Southeast Asia, East Africa and the Asia-Pacific — regions the UAE has been building deeper trade ties with, including through CEPA agreements. HR teams may want to check whether new candidates and their families now fall within the categories at the first-visit stage.
Limits and penalties
The key entry visa parameters remain unchanged: 14 days at Dh100 with one possible extension, 60 days at Dh250 with no extension. The overstay fine is Dh50 per day and is settled at departure or at the ICP. Overstays can affect subsequent UAE visa decisions, so any extension or exit should be scheduled before the visa expires — not on the border.
It is important to remember that an entry visa is a visit permit, not a residence visa. Long-term stay, employment, investment or family residency require a separate category. A full overview of the residency options is available in our guide «UAE residence visas 2026: every type and who they fit». Extension and cancellation of an existing residence visa is covered in the piece «UAE residence visa renewal and cancellation: how it works».
How to check the current status
The ICP maintains the full list of nationalities and qualifying residence countries in the visa services section on icp.gov.ae. For any specific trip, the correct sequence is one and the same: check both your nationality and your country of residence against the current list on the ICP portal before submitting the application or booking flights. Federal-level changes may be followed by clarifications at emirate level, so the primary source is always ICP and the federal portal u.ae.
What to do next
If your trip fits the 14-day or 60-day category, an entry visa is typically issued within days; the application is submitted online through the ICP or an authorised operator. For longer stays, residency options should be considered from the outset: employment, real estate, investment, freelance visa, Green Visa or Golden Visa. Each basis has its own procedure, timing and documents — the calculation is best done in advance rather than at the airport.
Primary source: UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) — icp.gov.ae; statement from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Cross-check: federal portal u.ae, section «Visa and Emirates ID»; press reporting — Khaleej Times (article of 02.09.2026).
