90-day visa on arrival: no application needed
Spanish 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.
Spanish 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 Spanish 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 Exit and re-enter via Oman
Exit the UAE and return for a fresh on-arrival stamp. Most visitors in Dubai use the Oman border crossing for this.
3 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 Spain
If you live in Spain but hold a passport from a different country, your Dubai visa route is determined by your passport nationality, not your Spanish residency.
Route 1: On-arrival visa using your Spanish residency permit
If your passport is from one of the nationalities below AND you hold a valid Spanish 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 Spanish 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 Spain can also apply for a UAE tourist visa directly through licensed tour operators or airlines, without using the residency permit route. A 30-day or 60-day tourist visa is available.
Nationalities not listed above who live in Spain must use this route. The on-arrival option with a residency permit is not available to them.
Frequently asked questions
No. Spanish 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 Spanish 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 Spanish residency permit or any EU member state visa with at least 6 months remaining validity. Other nationalities living in Spain must apply for a UAE tourist visa in advance.
You must apply for a UAE tourist visa in advance 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 stamp expires, exiting via the Oman border crossing for a fresh stamp, or applying for a sponsored tourist visit visa once on-arrival days are used.
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. Spanish nationals must exit or extend before the on-arrival period ends.