Destination 
Verified Which passports qualify, how long you can stay, and what to do if yours doesn't
Updated 27 August 2026 · Sourced from ICP and GDRFA Dubai · Verified by Martin MuthugumiThe UAE grants free on-arrival stamps to 87 nationalities at Dubai International Airport and all other UAE ports of entry. No advance application. No fee. The stamp is issued by ICP at the immigration counter the moment you land. This page covers every on-arrival category, the correct stay rules for each, and the options available if your passport does not qualify.
No. If your passport qualifies for a standard on-arrival stamp, it is issued at immigration when you land. Bring your passport and a confirmed return ticket.
ICP Smart ServicesZero. Since October 2024, on-arrival stamps have no grace period. Exit or extend before expiry.
ICP · October 2024 updateYou need a prearranged tourist visa before travelling. Standard processing is 2 to 3 working days. Express processing is 4 to 8 hours.
ICP · GDRFA DubaiYes. An on-arrival stamp issued at Dubai airport is valid across all seven Emirates.
ICP Smart ServicesA valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and a confirmed return or onward ticket. Some travellers may also be asked for hotel booking proof.
GDRFA DubaiNo. On-arrival stamps cover tourism, family visits and business meetings. Employment requires a separate UAE work and residence visa.
ICP Smart Services
Free on arrival · 74 nationalities · Source: ICP Smart Services · u.ae
Issued free at any UAE port of entry. Valid for 90 consecutive days from the date of entry. No advance application and no fee. The stamp is placed in your passport at the immigration counter.
74 eligible nationalities: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas Islands, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Guyana, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Vincent, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America and Uruguay.
Source: ICP Smart Services · u.ae — verify current eligibility before travel.
Free on arrival · 13 nationalities · Source: ICP Smart Services · u.ae
Issued free at any UAE port of entry. Valid for 30 consecutive days from the date of entry. No advance application is required.
13 eligible nationalities: Andorra, Brunei, Hong Kong SAR, Kazakhstan, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Republic of Ireland, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vatican City.
Source: ICP Smart Services · u.ae — verify current eligibility before travel.
Free on arrival · Mexico passport holders · Source: ICP Smart Services · GDRFA Dubai
Mexico passport holders receive a free 180-day on-arrival stamp, the longest on-arrival entitlement issued by UAE immigration.
Source: ICP Smart Services · GDRFA Dubai
14-day or 60-day preapproved entry permit · GDRFA · Not a standard on-arrival stamp
Indian passport holders do not receive a standard on-arrival stamp. Those holding a valid qualifying residence permit issued by the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore, with at least 6 months remaining validity, can apply for a preapproved entry permit through GDRFA before travelling.
Source: GDRFA Dubai · ICP Smart Services
No advance paperwork is required for passports that qualify for a standard on-arrival stamp.
The process from landing to entry is straightforward. Keep your passport and return or onward ticket accessible.
Process: Disembark → immigration counter → biometrics → stamp issued → collect luggage and exit.
Since October 2024, UAE tourist and visit visas including on-arrival stamps carry zero grace period. Exit the UAE or complete an eligible extension before your stamp expires.
| Stamp type | Duration | Extendable in-country? | Grace period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90-day stamp | 90 consecutive days | No — must exit | Zero |
| 30-day stamp | 30 consecutive days | Yes — once, 30 days, AED 990 | Zero |
| 180-day stamp (Mexico) | 180 consecutive days | Not confirmed — exit before expiry | Zero |
Source: ICP · October 2024 regulatory update
Options differ by stamp type. Any extension or new visa arrangement must be initiated before your current stamp expires.
Source: ICP Smart Services · GDRFA Dubai
Overstaying an on-arrival stamp is a violation of UAE immigration rules. Fines start from the first day after the stamp expires and must be cleared through ICP before leaving the UAE.
Source: ICP · verified receipt, Sharjah, 3 August 2026
If your nationality is not on the 90-day or 30-day on-arrival list, you need a prearranged UAE tourist visa before travelling. It is the official UAE tourist visa applied for in advance through a licensed agency.
30-day from AED 489. 60-day from AED 689. All-inclusive pricing as stated in the supplied content.
For same-day travel, urgent trips and time-sensitive applications. 30-day from AED 789.
Enter and exit repeatedly. 30-day from AED 990. 60-day from AED 1,190.
74 nationalities receive a free 90-day on-arrival stamp, including the UK, USA, all EU member states, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea. A further 13 nationalities receive a free 30-day stamp, including Malaysia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong SAR and the Republic of Ireland. Mexico passport holders receive a free 180-day stamp. All stamps are issued at the immigration counter on arrival no advance application needed.
90-day stamp holders: up to 90 consecutive days from entry. 30-day stamp holders: up to 30 consecutive days, extendable once in-country for a further 30 days at AED 990. Mexico: up to 180 consecutive days. There is zero grace period for all on-arrival stamps since October 2024 exit or extend before the stamp expires.
30-day stamp holders can extend once in-country for 30 days (AED 990) without leaving the UAE. 90-day stamp holders cannot extend in-country they must exit and apply for a prearranged tourist visa before re-entering. Options include the airport-to-airport visa change and the Oman visa run combined with a prearranged tourist visa.
Not a standard on-arrival stamp. Indian nationals holding a valid US Green Card, US visitor visa, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, Japanese, New Zealand, South Korean or Singapore residence permit (minimum 6 months remaining) can apply for a GDRFA preapproved entry permit of 14 days (AED 100) or 60 days (AED 250) before travelling. Indian nationals without a qualifying permit must apply for a prearranged tourist visa before entering Dubai.
Overstay fines run from the first day after stamp expiry at AED 50 per day, plus ICP administrative fees. The verified total for a one-day overstay is AED 202.84. There is zero grace period since October 2024. All fines must be cleared through ICP before leaving the UAE.
No. An Oman border exit resets the 30-day stamp 30-day holders receive a fresh stamp on re-entry. But it does not reset the 90-day stamp. 90-day holders who have used their 90 days need a prearranged tourist visa before re-entering Dubai. The Oman visa run page explains both scenarios in full.
Yes. An on-arrival stamp issued at Dubai International Airport is valid across all seven UAE Emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.
No. On-arrival stamps are issued by ICP at the UAE immigration counter the moment you land. No agency, no application, no fee. A travel agency has no role in this process. However, if your passport does not qualify for an on-arrival stamp, a licensed agency like Arabiers processes the prearranged tourist visa you need before travelling. Standard processing is 2 to 3 working days. Express processing delivers in 4 to 8 hours.
Dubai International Airport (DXB, Terminals 1, 2 and 3) processes all standard passenger arrivals and issues on-arrival stamps at the immigration counters. Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) handles limited cargo and charter traffic only. For all regular commercial flights, entry is through DXB. The stamp issued at DXB is valid across all seven UAE Emirates from the moment it is issued.
Yes. On-arrival stamps permit tourism, family visits and business activities including meetings, conferences and trade events. Employment, meaning working for a UAE company or receiving a UAE salary, requires a separate work and residence visa. On-arrival stamp holders can legitimately attend interviews, negotiate contracts and participate in business events without any additional permit.
Marhaba is Dubai International Airport's official meet-and-greet and airport assistance service, operated by dnata. It assists with airport navigation, porter services, fast-track immigration assistance and lounge access. Marhaba does not issue, process or apply for visas. It is an airport hospitality service, not a visa service. For visa applications, contact a UAE-licensed travel agency or apply directly through the ICP or GDRFA portals.
Yes. UAE immigration has the discretion to refuse entry to any traveller regardless of nationality. Refusal reasons are not disclosed publicly and are a sovereign security matter. Arabiers does not have any influence over immigration decisions at the border. If refused entry, the traveller is typically returned on the next available flight at their own cost.
On-arrival eligibility is set by the UAE Government and can change without notice. Verify current eligibility at icp.gov.ae before travel. Last reviewed 27 August 2026.
