UAE Adds Six Countries to Visa-on-Arrival Programme, Nigeria Not Included
The United Arab Emirates has expanded its visa-on-arrival scheme to include six new nationalities, effective June 25, 2026, according to an update from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). The list comprises four Asian countries and two African countries: Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa. Notably, Nigeria was not among the selected African nations.
This expansion is part of the UAE's ongoing efforts to facilitate travel and boost tourism, but it comes with additional eligibility conditions that applicants must meet.
Additional Condition: Residence Permit from Approved Tier-1 Countries
The UAE government stipulated that passport holders from the six newly added countries must also be legally permitted to live and work in one of nine approved tier-1 countries. Without a qualifying residence permit or visa from these nations, travellers will still need to apply for a UAE visit visa before departure.
The approved tier-1 countries are: the United States, the United Kingdom, European Union member states, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. The UAE explained that New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea were added to this list in the June 2026 update.
Visa Validity Requirements for Travelers
The UAE authorities emphasized that the qualifying residence permit or visa must remain valid at the time of travel. Expired visas or residence permits, regardless of how recently they expired, will not be accepted for visa-on-arrival eligibility. This strict condition aims to ensure that only travellers with current legal residency in a tier-1 country can benefit from the streamlined entry process.
According to the update, Indian nationals remain eligible under the UAE's existing visa-on-arrival arrangement, which continues to operate alongside the updated policy. The latest expansion is expected to make travel to the UAE easier for eligible visitors from the newly added countries while maintaining the country's immigration and border security requirements.
