Visa requirements for Emirati citizens explained

Visa requirements for Emirati citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

As of July 2024, Emirati citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 185 countries and territories, ranking the Emirati passport 9th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index.[1]

The Emirati passport is one of five passports with the greatest ranking improvement in the 2006–2016 time period.[2]

Emirati citizens do not need a visa to enter other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and also have the right to work and reside in those countries. Similarly, citizens of other GCC states do not need a visa to enter the UAE. GCC citizens can use a GCC national identity card (rather than a passport) to enter the UAE.

History

Visa requirements for Emirati citizens were lifted by New Zealand (in July 1999),[3] Brunei (11 October 2003), Kyrgyzstan (July 2012), Kazakhstan (July 2014), the Schengen Area countries (7 May 2015),[4] Belarus (30 April 2016),[5] Moldova (24 March 2017),[6] São Tomé and Príncipe (25 April 2017),[7] [8] Argentina (16 May 2017),[9] Chad[10] and Saint Lucia in October 2017,[11] Nauru (19 November 2017),[12] Solomon Islands (19 November 2017),[13] Chile (16 December 2017),[14] Rwanda (30 December 2017),[15] Ukraine (31 December 2017),[16] China (16 January 2018),[17] Burkina Faso (30 January 2018), Ireland (31 January 2018),[18] Uruguay (5 April 2018),[19] Tonga (24 May 2018),[20] Honduras (25 May 2018),[21] Brazil (2 June 2018),[22] Canada (5 June 2018),[23] Barbados (1 July 2018),[24] Mexico (31 October 2018),[25] Russia (17 February 2019),[26] Uzbekistan (20 March 2019)[27] South Africa (15 August 2019),[28] Paraguay (16 August 2019),[29] Central African Republic (8 October 2019),[30] Kiribati (23 October 2019),[31] Israel (22 October 2020),[32] Peru (8 November 2020),[33] Japan (28 September 2022),[34] Turkey (1 January 2024).,[35] and United Kingdom (22 February 2024).[36]

The first possibility of electronic visas for Emirati citizens began with the United Kingdom's electronic visa waiver (EVW) program that commenced on 1 January 2014,[37] [38] followed by India[39] in November 2014, Lesotho on 1 May 2017, Benin on 1 January 2018, Uzbekistan on 15 July 2018, and Tanzania on 26 November 2018.[40]

Visas on arrival for UAE citizens were introduced by Gabon in October 2017,[41] Guyana on 28 May 2018,[42] [43] Pakistan on 14 March 2019,[44] Mongolia on 15 May 2019[45] and Equatorial Guinea on 28 July 2019.[46]

Visa requirements

Dependent, disputed, or restricted territories

Unrecognized or partially recognized countries
Visitor toConditions of accessNotes
[109]
[110]
[111]
Arrival by sea to Gaza Strip not allowed.[112]
Undefined visa regime in the Western Sahara controlled territory.
30 days for USD 30, payable on arrival.[113] [114]
[115] Multiple entry visa to Russia and three day prior notification are required to enter South Ossetia.[116] [117]
[118]
[119] Registration required after 24h.[120] [121]
Dependent and autonomous territories

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Global Passport Ranking - July 2024.
  2. The Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index Celebrates Ten Years . Henley & Partners . www.prnewswire.com.
  3. Web site: Visa Waiver For Six Gulf States . The Beehive.
  4. Web site: EU signs visa waiver agreement with the United Arab Emirates - Consilium. www.consilium.europa.eu.
  5. Web site: Belarus facilitates visa regime for UAE citizens. 28 April 2016.
  6. Web site: LAW No. 14 from 02.03.2017 for the amendment and completion of Law no. 257/2013 on third-country nationals who are required to hold a visa and third-country nationals who are exempt from the obligation to hold a visa when crossing the state border of the Republic of Moldova . March 2, 2017 . . . 7 March 2022 . https://archive.today/20220307013836/http://lex.justice.md/index.php?action=view&view=doc&lang=1&id=369509 . 7 March 2022 . live.
  7. Web site: Nota Informativa sobre Isenção de Vistos e Permanencia em São Tomé e Príncipe. MNEC. STP. 14 May 2017. 9 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509163300/http://www.mnec.gov.st/index.php/publicacoes/noticias/item/262-nota-informativa-sobre-isencao-de-vistos-e-permanencia-em-sao-tome-e-principe?tmpl=component&print=1. dead.
  8. Web site: Ministério Negócios Estrangeiros e Comunidades de São Tomé Príncipe. www.facebook.com.
  9. Web site: Pre-entry visa no longer needed for this country . khaleejtimes.com . 2 July 2018.
  10. Web site: UAE nationals granted visa-free entry to Chad . gulfbusiness.com . 2 July 2018. 26 October 2017 .
  11. Web site: UAE nationals granted visa-free travel to St. Lucia . khaleejtimes.com . 2 July 2018.
  12. Web site: MoFAIC || News || UAE and Nauru sign MoU on entry-visa exemption.
  13. https://www.mofa.gov.ae/EN/MediaCenter/News/Pages/30-11-2017-UAE-Solomon-Islands.aspx Emiratis exempt from pre-entry visas to visit Solomon Islands.
  14. Web site: MoFAIC || News || UAE visa-waiver deal with Chile.
  15. Web site: MoFAIC || News || Prior visa waiver for UAE nationals travelling to Rwanda.
  16. Web site: Урядовий портал :: 31 грудня 2017 року набирає чинності Меморандум між Україною та Об'єднаними Арабськими Еміратами про скасування візових вимог . 13 December 2017 . 17 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171217010157/http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/uk/publish/article?art_id=250498376&cat_id=244277212 . dead .
  17. Web site: Emiratis exempt from pre-entry visa to China. 19 December 2017.
  18. http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/lifting-visa-requirement-uae-220118 Minister Flanagan announces the lifting of the visa requirement for the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
  19. Web site: UAE News: Visa free travel to Uruguay approved for UAE citizens.
  20. Web site: UAE passport holders get Tonga visa waiver. 25 April 2018.
  21. Web site: Prior visa waiver for Emiratis travelling to Honduras.
  22. Web site: Concórdia.
  23. Web site: Canada announces visa waiver for UAE citizens. 29 May 2018.
  24. Web site: MoFAIC || News || UAE citizens exempt from pre-entry visa to Barbados.
  25. Web site: UAE, Mexico announce visa waiver. 18 October 2018.
  26. Web site: http://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/3494000. ru:О вступлении в силу Соглашения между Правительством Российской Федерации и Правительством Объединенных Арабских Эмиратов о взаимной отмене визовых требований для граждан Российской Федерации и граждан Объединенных Арабских Эмиратов. ru. mid.ru. 2 February 2019.
  27. Web site: Ўзбекистон Миллий ахборот агентлиги - расмий хабарлар, тезкор янгиликлар, таҳлилий-танқидий материаллар, қонун ҳужжатлари, фото ва видеорепортажлар.
  28. Web site: WAM. Emiratis can now visit South Africa without applying for visa beforehand. 2021-11-18. Khaleej Times. en.
  29. Web site: WAM. Emiratis can now visit Paraguay without pre-entry visas. 2021-11-18. Khaleej Times. en.
  30. Web site: Visa-free travel for Emiratis to Central Africa. gulfnews.com. 30 September 2019 .
  31. Web site: Wam. Soon, visa-free entry for Emiratis to Kiribati. 2021-11-18. Khaleej Times. en.
  32. News: UAE gets Israeli visa exemptions, a first for Arab world. Reuters . 22 October 2020. www.reuters.com.
  33. Web site: Visa-free entry for UAE citizens travelling to Peru. WAM. 8 November 2020.
  34. Web site: 28 September 2022 . Visa-free travel to Japan for UAE citizens forms part of new partnership deal . The National.
  35. Web site: Travel Unpacked: Visa-free travel to Turkey and Etihad launches new India flights. The National. 1 January 2024.
  36. Web site: UK ETA travel system opens for Emirati and Gulf visitors . 31 January 2024.
  37. Web site: Schengen visa waiver for Emiratis signed. 6 May 2015.
  38. Web site: Embassy of the UAE in London » UK Electronic Visa for UAE Nationals. www.uae-embassy.ae. 11 July 2015. 12 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150712102103/http://www.uae-embassy.ae/Embassies/uk/Content/5293. dead.
  39. Web site: Indian e-Visa . indianvisaonline.gov.in . 2 July 2018.
  40. Web site: Tanzania launches e-visa, residence permit for foreigners ⋆. 26 November 2018.
  41. Web site: Sous la pression de la CEMAC, le Gabon ouvre ses frontières . africtelegraph.com . 2 July 2018. 20 October 2017.
  42. Web site: Republic of Guyana grants UAE nationals visa upon arrival . mofa.gov.ae/.
  43. Web site: الموقع الرسمي لوزارة الخارجية والتعاون الدولي لدولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة . Mofa.gov.ae . 2022-03-08.
  44. News: Gulf News . 13 March 2019 . Pakistan eases visa policy from Thursday, includes UAE in visa on arrival countries .
  45. Web site: Report . Web. Emiratis to get visa on arrival to Mongolia, up to 30 days stay . 2021-11-18 . Khaleej Times. en.
  46. Web site: Wam . Equatorial Guinea announces 90-day visa-free stay for select Emiratis . 2021-11-18 . Khaleej Times . en.
  47. Web site: Emirates travel requirements by destination . 2023-10-22 . Ministry of Foreign Affairs . "UAE Citizens are not allowed to travel to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, except for UAE diplomatic missions, emergency treatment cases and pre-authorized official, scientific and economic delegations.".
  48. Web site: Australia Subclass 600.
  49. Web site: Benin eVisa.
  50. Web site: Bhutan eVisa.
  51. Web site: Bolivia Online Visa.
  52. Web site: List of countries whose nationals/citizens do not require a visa for entry into Botswana.
  53. Web site: Cambodia eVisa.
  54. Web site: Cameroon eVisa.
  55. Web site: Canada eTA . 15 April 2015.
  56. 1052212463935115264. Rwandamigration . Effective from 09 October 2018 Rwandan nationals visiting the Republic of Congo are issued with visa on arrival. . 16 October 2018.
  57. Web site: DR Congo evisa.
  58. Web site: إرشادات السفر خلال فترة جائحه كوفيد19 . Mofaic.gov.ae . 2022-03-06.
  59. Web site: UAE, Congo ink deal for visa-free travel . Web . Report . Khaleej Times.
  60. Web site: CI eVisa.
  61. Web site: Djibouti eVisa.
  62. Web site: eVisa - Equatorial Guinea.
  63. https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/eswatini-is-surging-travel-industry-with-new-visa-free-travel-policy-for-93-countries-including-australia-uae-japan-russia/
  64. Web site: Gabon eVisa.
  65. https://www.passportindex.org/passport/united-arab-emirates/
  66. Web site: Guinea eVisa.
  67. Web site: Guyana grants UAE nationals visa upon arrival.
  68. Web site: Hatem Mohamed . Prior visa waiver for Emiratis travelling to Honduras . Emirates News Agency . 2018-04-27 . 2022-03-06.
  69. Web site: Nationals of Japan, South Korea & UAE are Eligible for Visa-on-Arrival . indianvisaonline.gov.in . Government of India . 27 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023054058/https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/visa-on-arrival.html. 23 Oct 2023.
  70. Web site: Indonesia e-VOA.
  71. Web site: Iran eVisa.
  72. https://evisa.iq/en Iraq eVisa portal
  73. https://www.pica.gov.jm/immigration/entry-visa-requirements
  74. Web site: Kenya eTA.
  75. Web site: Visitors visa - East African tourist visa.
  76. Web site: K-ETA.
  77. Web site: K-ETA Application Guide.
  78. Web site: Clowes . Ed . 24 February 2016 . UAE bans all citizens from travelling to Lebanon . Middle East Business Intelligence .
  79. Web site: 2023-08-06 . UAE reminds citizens not to travel to Lebanon following Ain Al Hilweh clashes . 2023-10-22 . The National . en.
  80. Web site: Lesotho eVisa.
  81. Web site: Libya eVisa.
  82. Web site: Malawi eVisa.
  83. Web site: Embassy of Mauritania in Tokyo (Visa application) . www.amba-mauritania.jp . . 17 June 2023 . en.
  84. Web site: Mozambique eVisa.
  85. Web site: Namibia : Visa-on-Arrival Expanded to 3 Additional Border Posts.
  86. Web site: Nepal Online Visa.
  87. Web site: Paying the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy . immigration.govt.nz . Immigration New Zealand . 2021-02-01 . Many tourists, people on working holidays, and some students and workers coming to New Zealand must pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $35..
  88. Web site: Information about: Australian Resident Visa . immigration.govt.nz . Immigration New Zealand . 2020-05-21 . Australian citizens and permanent residents can visit, work and live in New Zealand. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand..
  89. Web site: Nigeria Immigration Services.
  90. https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/visa_ur-1087x1536.jpg
  91. Web site: PNG eVisa.
  92. Web site: Rwanda E-Services.
  93. Web site: Emiratis granted visa-free travel to St Lucia. 27 October 2017.
  94. Web site: Seychelles Electronic Border System.
  95. Web site: Sierra Leone eVisa.
  96. Web site: Visa-free entry for Emiratis visiting Solomon Islands.
  97. Web site: Entry requirements - Somalia travel advice . 3 May 2018.
  98. Web site: South Sudan eVisa.
  99. Web site: SL eVisa.
  100. Web site: Suriname eVisa.
  101. https://evisa.sy/home-content eVisa Syria
  102. Web site: Tanzania eVisa.
  103. Web site: Togo eVisa.
  104. https://www.passportindex.org/passport/united-arab-emirates/
  105. Web site: Visa exemption for 6 countries.
  106. Web site: Uganda eVisa.
  107. Web site: United Kingdom ETA.
  108. Web site: Vietnam eVisa.
  109. Web site: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS REPUBLIC OF ABKHAZIA . 3 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160424181640/http://mfaapsny.org/council/visa.php . 24 April 2016 . dead.
  110. Web site: Visas For Foreign Citizens - For Kosovo Citizens - Consular Services - Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Kosovo . Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Kosovo.
  111. Web site: VISA Regulations . Northern Cyprus . 4 March 2014 .
  112. Web site: Israel Country Specific Information . Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. 18 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131114103216/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1064.html#entry_requirements . 14 November 2013 . dead.
  113. Web site: Practical travel information on Visas in Somaliland, Puntland & Somalia - Lonely Planet Travel Information . 1 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141106194323/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/somaliland-puntland-and-somalia/practical-information/visas . 6 November 2014 . dead.
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  124. Web site: Clipperton - Ile de la Passion.
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  138. Web site: VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR VISITING ST HELENA . St Helena Government . 2 February 2018 . 2 February 2018.
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