Many visitors to Dubai do not need to apply for a visa before they travel. Citizens of the UK, every EU country and a number of other states receive a visa on arrival when they pass through passport control at DXB or DWC. This guide covers the rules for UK and EU passport holders, based on official sources checked on 20 October 2026. It covers the visa only; for everything else on landing, see our arrival checklist.
Visa on arrival at a glance
| Item | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | UK, all EU member states and other listed nationalities | GDRFA Dubai, Dubai Airports |
| Cost for British citizens | Free, stamped in your passport at immigration | GOV.UK |
| Stay for British citizens | Up to 90 days in a 180-day period | GOV.UK |
| Stay for other nationalities | 30 or 90 days depending on nationality | Dubai.ae |
| Passport validity (UK) | At least 6 months from the date you arrive | GOV.UK |
Who gets a visa on arrival?
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai publishes the list of nationalities eligible for a visa on arrival, and Dubai Airports publishes a matching list for passport control. Both include the United Kingdom and every EU member state, from Austria to Sweden, as well as the United States and other countries. Eligibility depends on the passport you travel on, not where you live, so dual nationals should check the passport they will use.
Lists can change. Check the official list, or with your airline, before you travel, especially if you hold a passport from a country not mentioned here.
UK passport holders
GOV.UK says British citizens get a free visitor visa on arrival, stamped at immigration, which allows a stay of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive. The stay can be continuous or split across several visits, as long as the total does not exceed 90 days in the 180 days. The same page warns that fines for overstaying can build up for each day, and that anyone caught working on a visit visa could face a fine, prison and deportation.
EU passport holders
EU citizens are on the visa-on-arrival list. The length of stay depends on nationality: Dubai.ae says it is 30 or 90 days. Check your own government’s travel advice and the GDRFA list for your nationality, along with any passport-validity rules that apply to you.
What happens at passport control
At DXB and DWC, eligible visitors queue at immigration, show their passport and receive an entry stamp or electronic record. Dubai Airports says visa-on-arrival visitors with biometric passports can use the Smart Gates, and first-time users are registered at passport control on arrival (DWC). Have your hotel address and return or onward ticket to hand in case you are asked. Our arriving at Dubai Airport step by step guide follows the whole process, from the aircraft door to your car.
Extending your stay
If you want to stay longer, GOV.UK says extensions are handled by the GDRFA in Dubai or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) for other emirates. Apply before your permitted stay ends: Dubai.ae says overstaying is charged at AED 50 a day.
Transit and layovers
If you are only connecting through Dubai, see our layover and transit visa guide and connecting at DXB.
Customs and medication
The FCDO entry requirements page also covers customs. Approval is needed in advance from the UAE Ministry of Health to bring medication, with limits on quantities, and items such as pork products and pornography are prohibited. Check before you pack.
After passport control
Once through immigration and customs, you collect your bags and head to the arrivals hall. With a pre-booked transfer, a driver meets you there. Our meet and greet, DXB transfer and DWC transfer pages explain how pickups work.
Checklist before you fly
- Check that your passport nationality is on the official visa-on-arrival list.
- Check your passport validity against the rules for your nationality (6 months for British citizens).
- Make sure your passport has space for the entry stamp.
- Carry your hotel address and return or onward ticket.
- Check whether any medicines you carry need approval.
- Read your own government’s latest travel advice.
Common questions about passports and visas
I have a UK passport but live elsewhere
Eligibility depends on your passport, not your country of residence. If you travel on a UK passport, the GOV.UK rules for British citizens apply.
I am a UK or EU resident with a different passport
Your eligibility depends on your nationality. Check the GDRFA list for your passport. If your nationality is not on the list, you will need to arrange a visa before travelling, often through an airline, a hotel or an approved provider.
My children travel on different passports
Each traveller’s eligibility is based on their own passport. Check each one separately.
Visiting other emirates and Oman
Your entry stamp covers the whole UAE, so you can visit Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah without any further paperwork. Oman is a separate country with its own entry rules; see our Dubai to Oman by road guide. Day trips to Abu Dhabi or Hatta stay within the UAE.
Travelling with children
Children need their own passports, and the same visa-on-arrival rules apply to them as to adults of the same nationality. If a child is travelling with only one parent, or with other adults, carry a letter of consent from the other parent. Airlines can ask for it, and it can save time if questions are raised. Check your own government’s guidance. Our family transfers page covers getting from the airport.
Request a quote
Use our quote request form, or email info@belgraviatransfers.com, with your flight number, arrival time, hotel, passengers and bags. We reply with availability and a quote. Nothing is booked until you accept.
Frequently asked questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for Dubai?
No advance visa is needed for a visit. GOV.UK says British citizens get a free visitor visa on arrival, valid for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
Do EU citizens get a visa on arrival in Dubai?
Yes. All EU member states are on the GDRFA and Dubai Airports visa-on-arrival lists. The length of stay depends on nationality.
How long can I stay in Dubai on a visa on arrival?
British citizens can stay up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Dubai.ae says other nationalities get 30 or 90 days, depending on nationality.
How long must my passport be valid for Dubai?
For British citizens, GOV.UK says at least 6 months from the date you arrive.
Can I extend a visa on arrival?
GOV.UK says extensions are handled by GDRFA in Dubai or ICP. Apply before your permitted stay ends.
Facts on this page were checked against the sources linked above on 20 October 2026. Dates, prices and opening hours can change, so confirm them with the official source before you travel.
