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A US Green Card does not automatically give you entry to Dubai. Whether you need a visa, and which type, depends entirely on your passport nationality, not your Green Card. Here is exactly what applies to you.
Written by Martin Muthugumi
Quick answers,
If your passport is from India, Indonesia, Kenya, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand or Vietnam: your Green Card qualifies you for a paid on-arrival UAE visa. No advance application needed.
Source: ICP, 2026All other Green Card holders must apply for a prepaid UAE tourist visa before travel. Your Green Card does not qualify you for on-arrival entry to Dubai.
Source: ICP, 2026If your passport is from India, Indonesia, Kenya, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand or Vietnam: your Green Card qualifies you for a paid on-arrival UAE visa. No advance application needed.
Source: ICP, 2026All other Green Card holders must apply for a prepaid UAE tourist visa before travel. Your Green Card does not qualify you for on-arrival entry to Dubai.
Source: ICP, 2026The ICP rule is clear: a US Green Card or valid US visa helps only if your passport nationality is on the eligible list. Check yours below.
| Passport nationality | Green Card helps? | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| India | Yes | 14-day or 60-day paid on-arrival visa at the UAE airport |
| Indonesia | Yes | 14-day or 60-day paid on-arrival visa at the UAE airport |
| Kenya | Yes | 14-day or 60-day paid on-arrival visa at the UAE airport |
| Philippines | Yes | 14-day or 60-day paid on-arrival visa at the UAE airport |
| South Africa | Yes | 14-day or 60-day paid on-arrival visa at the UAE airport |
| Thailand | Yes | 14-day or 60-day paid on-arrival visa at the UAE airport |
| Vietnam | Yes | 14-day or 60-day paid on-arrival visa at the UAE airport |
| All other nationalities | No | Must apply for a prepaid UAE tourist visa before travel |
If you hold a passport from India, Indonesia, Kenya, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand or Vietnam, you have two ways to visit Dubai. Both are valid. Choose the one that suits your travel plans.
Present your passport and your Green Card (or valid US visa) at UAE immigration on arrival. You receive a paid on-arrival visa without any prior application. Your Green Card must be valid for at least 6 months from your travel date.
| Visa duration | Entry | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 14 days | Single entry | USD 63 |
| 60 days | Single entry | USD 141.36 |
If you prefer to have your visa confirmed before travel, apply for a UAE tourist visit visa through a licensed tour operator or airline. You submit a passport copy and photo online. A 30-day or 60-day tourist visa is available through this route. No Green Card required for this application: it is based on passport nationality only.
as of October 2024, ICP removed the grace period on UAE tourist visas. If you take the on-arrival route, exit or extend before your visa expires. Fines apply from the first day of overstay.
If your passport nationality is not on the ICP eligible list, your US Green Card does not help you enter Dubai. This applies to Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Nepali, Sri Lankan, and most African and Central Asian passport holders living in the US, among others.
Important: you must apply for a UAE tourist visa before your travel date. Arriving at the UAE airport without a visa and expecting your Green Card to assist you will result in denial of boarding or entry.
A UAE tourist visit visa is available in 30-day and 60-day options. Apply with your passport copy and photo. If you need it urgently, an express visa processed in 4 to 8 hours is also available. Contact our team with your travel dates to get started.
No, not automatically. A US Green Card only helps if your passport nationality is on the ICP eligible list. Indian, Indonesian, Kenyan, Filipino, South African, Thai and Vietnamese nationals holding a valid US Green Card (or valid US visa) with at least 6 months remaining can receive a paid on-arrival visa at the UAE airport. All other Green Card holders must apply for a prepaid UAE tourist visa before travel.
You have two options. Option 1: arrive at the UAE airport and receive a paid on-arrival visa: 14 days for USD 63 or 60 days for USD 141.36. Your Green Card must be valid for at least 6 months. Option 2: apply in advance for a UAE tourist visa through a licensed tour operator or airline using your passport copy and photo. Source: ICP.
India, Indonesia, Kenya, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam. You must hold a valid US Green Card or valid US visa with at least 6 months remaining. Source: ICP on-arrival eligibility rules.
You must apply for a prepaid UAE tourist visa before travelling to Dubai. Your Green Card does not help for UAE visa purposes if your passport nationality is not on the ICP eligible list. A 30-day or 60-day UAE tourist visit visa is available through Arabiers.
Yes. A valid US visa with at least 6 months remaining also qualifies: you do not need a Green Card. Either a Green Card or a valid US visa meets the ICP condition for eligible nationalities. Source: ICP.
The on-arrival visa is paid at the UAE airport on arrival: 14 days for USD 63 or 60 days for USD 141.36. No advance application. The prepaid tourist visa is applied for before travel through a licensed agency or tour operator. It is available for 30 or 60 days and suits travellers who want longer stays or whose nationality does not qualify for on-arrival.
