The United Arab Emirates has released its updated entry guidelines for 2026, confirming that citizens from at least 70 countries can enter the nation without a pre-arranged visa. The policy facilitates smoother access for international visitors as the country handles millions of arrivals across its major airport networks.
GCC Nationals Enjoy Unlimited Access
Under the 2026 regulations, national passport holders or identity card holders from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations can cross UAE borders entirely free of visa requirements or specific duration caps. These countries are: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
49 Nations Get 90-Day Visa-Free Stay
A total of 49 nations enjoy visa-free access for up to 90 days within a 180-day rolling window. Multiple entries are permitted under this category, though travellers are strictly prohibited from taking up employment. The eligible countries include: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas Islands, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Maldives, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Guyana, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, United States of America, and Uruguay.
30-Day Visa-Free Entry for 12 Countries
Another group of countries receives a 30-day visa-free stay upon arrival, with options for extensions available in most cases. Immigration authorities advise these travellers to verify extra entry conditions on official platforms like the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security before booking. The countries in this bracket are: Andorra, Brunei, Hong Kong (China), Kazakhstan, Macau (China), Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Republic of Ireland, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vatican City.
Conditional Visa-on-Arrival for 7 Countries
The entry framework also features an expanded category that allows a 14-day or 60-day visa on arrival for select nationalities. To qualify, applicants must hold a valid residence permit from an approved jurisdiction like the US, UK, EU, Canada, or Japan. The seven countries included in this conditional category are: India, Indonesia, Kenya, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam.
UAE Bans Social Media for Children
In a separate development, the UAE announced a ban on social media use for children under 15, with platforms required to monitor and disable accounts created by underage users or risk being blocked. The UAE's official WAM news agency reported the measure, citing a cabinet resolution.
