90-day visa on arrival: no application needed
German nationals receive a 90-day multiple-entry visa on arrival at any UAE airport. No prepaid visa, no application, no fee. Your passport is stamped on arrival.
German passport holders
| Detail | What it means |
|---|---|
| Visa type | 90-day multiple-entry on arrival |
| Stay permitted | Up to 90 days total within a 6-month window from first arrival |
| Cost | Free: issued by UAE immigration at the airport |
| Application needed | None. Present your German passport at UAE immigration. |
| Passport validity | Minimum 6 months remaining from date of travel |
No grace period: as of October 2024, ICP removed the grace period on UAE tourist visas. Overstay fines begin from the first day after expiry. Exit or extend before your stamp expires.
If you want to stay beyond 90 days
1 Apply for a UAE tourist visa extension
Apply for a UAE tourist visa extension from inside the country before your on-arrival stamp expires.
2 Airport-to-airport visa change
Use the airport-to-airport visa change service to get a new visa without flying home to Germany. You exit, wait at the connecting airport while the new visa is issued, and re-enter Dubai.
3 Exit and re-enter via Oman
Exit the UAE and return for a fresh on-arrival stamp. Most Dubai visitors use the Oman border crossing for this: a short trip that resets your entry.
4 Apply for a sponsored tourist visa
Once your on-arrival days are used, apply for a UAE tourist visit visa through a licensed sponsor. Available in 30 or 60 days.
Other nationals living in Germany
If you live in Germany but hold a passport from a different country, your Dubai visa route is determined entirely by your passport nationality.
Route 1: On-arrival visa using your German residency permit
If your passport is from one of the nationalities below AND you hold a valid German residency permit with at least 6 months remaining (or a valid EU member state visa with at least 6 months remaining), you can receive a paid UAE on-arrival visa at the airport.
Eligible nationalities:
India
Indonesia
Kenya
Philippines
South Africa
Thailand
Vietnam
Qualifying document: a German residency permit valid for at least 6 months, or a valid visa issued by any EU member state valid for at least 6 months.
| On-arrival option | Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Single entry on arrival | 14 days | USD 63 |
| Single entry on arrival | 60 days | USD 141.36 |
These fees are paid at the UAE airport on arrival. No advance application is needed if you meet the residency permit condition above.
Route 2: Apply for a tourist visa in advance
All eligible nationalities living in Germany can also apply for a UAE tourist visa directly through licensed tour operators or airlines in Germany, without using the residency permit route. A 30-day or 60-day tourist visa is available.
Nationalities not listed above who live in Germany must use this route. The on-arrival option with a residency permit is not available to them.
Frequently asked questions
No. German passport holders receive a 90-day multiple-entry visa on arrival in Dubai. No prepaid visa is required. Your passport is stamped at the airport and the visa covers up to 90 days within a 6-month window.
Yes, if you hold a valid German residency permit with at least 6 months remaining. You can receive a 14-day on-arrival visa (USD 63) or a 60-day on-arrival visa (USD 141.36) at the UAE airport. You can also apply for a 30 or 60-day tourist visa in advance through a licensed tour operator or airline.
India, Indonesia, Kenya, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam. You must hold a valid German residency permit or any EU member state visa with at least 6 months remaining validity. Other nationalities living in Germany must apply for a UAE tourist visa in advance.
You must apply for a UAE tourist visa in advance. This can be done through licensed tour operators or airlines. A 30-day or 60-day tourist visa is available through this route.
Options include applying for a UAE tourist visa extension before the on-arrival stamp expires, using the airport-to-airport visa change to get a new visa without flying home, exiting via the Oman border crossing for a fresh stamp, or applying for a sponsored tourist visa.
No. As of October 2024, ICP removed the grace period on UAE tourist visas. Overstay fines begin from the first day after the stamp expires. German nationals must exit or extend before the on-arrival period ends.