By Julianne Tolentino
According to a report from Al Khaleej, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) provides the privilege of visa-free travel to more than 80 countries. However, travelers from 115 different countries will still need to obtain pre-approved visas before they can enter the UAE.
The ministry has also emphasised the importance for individuals inquiring about particular visa details to explore the official ministry website. They have further advised that staying well-informed about the entry prerequisites is crucial.
The list of these nations and details concerning visa exemptions for travellers holding regular passports can be found on the ministry’s dedicated website.
The UAE Digital Government has also said that citizens from GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries can enter the UAE without a visa or sponsor.
They only need to present a passport issued by a GCC nation or their ID card upon arrival at UAE entry ports.
Depending on their country of origin, international travellers may receive entry visas valid for either 30 days, with a grace period of 10 additional days, or 90 days.
In addition, Indian citizens with ordinary passports, meeting specific criteria such as holding a US visit visa or resident card, or a resident visa from the UK and EU countries, can obtain a 14-day visa on arrival, which can be extended for another 14 days if necessary.
For those not falling within the visa exemption or visa-on-arrival categories, an entry permit is mandatory.
This permit, dependent on the purpose of the visit, must be acquired from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) before arriving in the UAE.
Moreover, the UAE passport currently holds the top position on the Passport Index website, making it the world’s most powerful passport.
UAE passport holders have access to 180 countries, with 127 not requiring a visa in advance, and 53 offering electronic visas or visas upon airport arrival.
These are countries/states whose citizens can enter the UAE visa-free, as per the latest MOFA list:
Australia
Swiss Confederation
Czech Republic
Slovak Republic
French Republic
Hellenic Republic (Republic of Greece)
Hungary
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United States of America
United Mexican States
Japan
Principality of Andorra
Principality of Liechtenstein
Principality of Monaco
Ukraine
Barbados
Brunei Darussalam
Solomon Islands
Republic of Azerbaijan
Republic of Estonia
Argentine Republic
Eastern Republic of Uruguay
Republic of Albania
Federative Republic of Brazil
Portuguese Republic
Republic of El Salvador
People’s Republic of China
Republic of Maldives
Federal Republic of Germany
Republic of Austria
Republic of Ireland
Republic of Iceland
Republic of Italy
Republic of Paraguay
Republic of Bulgaria
Republic of Poland
Republic of Peru
Republic of Belarus
Republic of Chile
Republic of San Marino
Republic of Slovenia
Republic of Singapore
Republic of Seychelles
Republic of Serbia
Republic of Finland
Republic of Cyprus
Republic of Kazakhstan
Republic of Croatia
Republic of Korea
Republic of Costa Rica
Republic of Colombia
Republic of Kiribati
Republic of Latvia
Republic of Lithuania
Republic of Malta
Republic of Mauritius
Republic of Nauru
Republic of Honduras
Georgia
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
State of Israel
State of Kuwait
State of Qatar
Vatican City State
Russian Federation
Romania
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Sultanate of Oman
Commonwealth of the Bahamas
Canada
Malaysia
Kingdom of Spain
Kingdom of Bahrain
Kingdom of Denmark
Kingdom of Sweden
Kingdom of Norway
Kingdom of Belgium
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Montenegro
New Zealand
•JULIANNE TOLENTINO
Julianne Tolentino is a reporter at Construction Week Middle East. Having successfully acquired a journalism degree from Middlesex University Dubai, Julianne has spent her post-graduate years dipping her… More by Julianne Tolentino
