This page covers two groups: Thai nationals wanting to visit Dubai, and UAE residents (Indians, Pakistanis, Egyptians and others) wanting to visit Thailand. Your entry route to Dubai depends on your passport and where you currently live. Thai nationals living abroad with a qualifying residency permit now qualify for a paid UAE visa on arrival since June 2026.
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Updated June 2026: Thai passport holders living in the USA, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore or South Korea now qualify for a paid UAE visa on arrival. Source: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ICP, 25 June 2026.
Thai passport holders in Thailand Prepaid UAE tourist visa required
Thai nationals in Thailand or in a non-qualifying country need a prepaid UAE tourist visa before travel. No visa on arrival without a qualifying third-country residency permit.Source: ICP / UAE MoFA, 2026
Thai nationals living abroad Paid on-arrival available from June 2026
Thai nationals with a valid residency permit from USA, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, NZ, Singapore or South Korea qualify for paid UAE visa on arrival: AED 100 (14-day) or AED 250 (60-day).Source: UAE MoFA / ICP, 25 June 2026
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Find Your Route to Dubai
Your situation
Dubai entry route
Thai passport, based in Thailand
Prepaid UAE tourist visa required before travel. Apply online. Prepaid visa needed
Thai passport + valid residency permit from USA, UK, any EU country, Australia, Canada, Japan, NZ, Singapore or South Korea (min 6 months remaining)
Paid UAE visa on arrival at the airport. AED 100 (14-day) or AED 250 (60-day). Paid on arrival from June 2026
Thai passport + residency permit from a country not on the qualifying list, or permit with less than 6 months remaining
Prepaid UAE tourist visa required before travel. Prepaid visa needed
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Thai Nationals Living Abroad: June 2026 On-Arrival Update
On 25 June 2026, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ICP expanded the visa-on-arrival programme to include Thai nationals (alongside Indonesian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Kenyan and South African nationals). This is a significant change : Thai nationals with qualifying residency permits no longer need to apply for a prepaid UAE visa before travel.
Qualifying residency permits
Country
Qualifying document
Minimum validity required
USA
US Green Card or any valid US visa
6 months remaining
UK
UK residency permit or any valid UK visa
6 months remaining
EU member states
EU residency permit or any EU member state visa
6 months remaining
Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea
Residency permit from that country
6 months remaining
Source: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ICP, 25 June 2026
On-arrival fees (June 2026)
Duration
Entry type
Fee (AED)
USD approx.
14 days
Single entry, extendable once
AED 100
~ 27
60 days
Single entry
AED 250
~ 68
The 14-day on-arrival visa may be extended once in-country for a further 14 days. The 60-day on-arrival visa is not extendable. Exit before expiry in both cases: there is no grace period.
What to carry at Dubai airport (on-arrival route)
Thai passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
Qualifying third-country residency permit (physical document preferred) with at least 6 months remaining validity
Confirmed return or onward ticket
Hotel booking for your UAE stay
Bank card or accessible funds (UAE immigration may ask about financial sufficiency)
03
Thai Nationals in Thailand: Prepaid UAE Tourist Visa
If you are based in Thailand or in a country not on the qualifying list, apply for a prepaid UAE tourist visa before your travel date. The application is fully online : no embassy visit or in-person appointment required.
Documents required
Thai passport copy (colour, bio page): all four corners visible including the machine-readable zone, valid for at least 6 months from your UAE entry date
White background photograph: recent colour photo, plain white background, taken within the last 3 months, full face visible, neutral expression
A confirmed return ticket and hotel booking confirmation may also be requested. For business trip applications, a letter of invitation from a UAE company may occasionally be needed. Our team advises after reviewing your application.
Processing time
Express
4–8 hrs
hours express (UAE working days)
Standard
2–4
working days standard
UAE does not process on Saturday or Sunday. UAE working days are Monday to Thursday (full day) and Friday until 12:00 PM UAE time (GMT+4). Submit before 12:00 PM UAE time on a working day for same-day express delivery. Applications submitted on Friday after 12:00 PM enter the Monday queue.
Prepaid visa pricing
Standard processing2 to 4 working days
Duration
Price
USD
Type
Features
30 Days
489 AED
~ 4,500 THB
Single entry
2 to 4 working days PDF by email All fees included
60 Days Most booked
689 AED
~ 6,300 THB
Single entry
2 to 4 working days PDF by email All fees included
30 Days
990 AED
~ 9,100 THB
Multiple entry
2 to 4 working days PDF by email All fees included
Express processing4 to 8 hours
Duration
Price
USD
Type
Features
30 Days
789 AED
~ 7,200 THB
Single entry
4 to 8 hours PDF by email All fees included
60 Days Most booked
989 AED
~ 9,100 THB
Single entry
4 to 8 hours PDF by email All fees included
30 Days
1190 AED
~ 10,900 THB
Multiple entry
4 to 8 hours PDF by email All fees included
All prices include the UAE government visa fee, agency processing fee and PRO fee. No additional charges at checkout. THB conversions are approximate at current rates. Standard prices (350/550/990 AED) subject to confirmation. Express prices (789/989/1190 AED) confirmed September 2026.
No grace period: since October 2024, UAE tourist visas carry zero grace period. Overstay fines begin from AED 50 per day from the first day after expiry. Apply to extend your Dubai tourist visa before the expiry date if you need more time in the UAE.
04
The AED 3,000 Rule for Thai Visitors
Several searches on this page ask about the AED 3,000 rule. Here is the clear answer:
What is the AED 3,000 rule? UAE immigration may ask Thai visitors to show they can financially support themselves during their stay. The figure informally cited is AED 3,000 per person (approximately THB 27,000). This is a discretionary check by immigration officers on arrival : not a formal written visa condition and not a visa application requirement. It does not appear on your visa or stamp.
In practice, carrying a confirmed return ticket, a hotel booking and a bank card with sufficient funds satisfies this concern. Carrying AED 3,000 in cash is not required. UAE immigration applies this check at their discretion and it varies by passenger profile. Most Thai visitors to Dubai are not questioned at all.
05
What the UAE Visa Covers
All UAE tourist visa routes (prepaid or on-arrival) cover all seven UAE emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain. There is no separate Abu Dhabi visa. Tourism, family visits and short business meetings are all covered. Employment in the UAE requires a separate work permit and residence visa.
06
Extending Your UAE Stay
Prepaid tourist visa holders:renew your UAE tourist visa stay from inside the UAE before the visa expires. Available in 30-day increments. No grace period.
14-day on-arrival visa holders: may be extended once for a further 14 days in-country before expiry.
60-day on-arrival visa holders: not extendable. Exit before the 60 days are used.
All visitors: the Oman border crossing is an option for exiting and returning on a fresh visa, subject to UAE immigration approval.
07
UAE Residents: Thailand Visa from Dubai
For UAE residents (Indians, Pakistanis, Egyptians and others) wanting to visit Thailand
Is Thailand visa-free for UAE residents?
It depends on your passport nationality, not your UAE residency status.
UAE nationals (Emirati passport): 30-day visa exemption on arrival in Thailand. No advance application needed.
Indian passport holders: Thailand Visa on Arrival (VOA) available at major Thai airports for stays up to 15 days. Fee approximately THB 2,000 (around AED 210). Alternatively, apply for a Thailand e-visa before travel at tp.consular.go.th.
Pakistani and Egyptian passport holders: Thailand tourist visa must be applied for in advance through the Royal Thai Consulate in Dubai or via VFS Global. Thailand does not offer VOA for these nationalities.
Thailand e-visa (all nationalities): apply online at tp.consular.go.th before travel. Single-entry 60-day tourist visa. Processing typically 5 to 15 working days.
Thailand sticker visa from Dubai: apply at the Royal Thai Consulate General in Dubai for a stamped visa in your passport. Required for Pakistani and Egyptian nationals, and others who prefer a physical visa over e-visa.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): All travellers entering Thailand in 2026 must complete the TDAC online before travel. This replaced the paper TM6 arrival card. Register at the Thai immigration portal before your flight.
Thailand tourist visa cost from Dubai: e-visa approximately USD 40 to 60 depending on visa type. Royal Thai Consulate sticker visa fees vary by nationality and visa type. Confirm current fees directly with the Thai Consulate in Dubai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Thai passport holders need a UAE visa to visit Dubai. The route depends on where you currently live. Thai nationals in Thailand apply for a prepaid UAE tourist visa online before travel. Thai nationals living in the USA, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, NZ, Singapore or South Korea with a valid residency permit (min 6 months remaining) qualify for a paid UAE visa on arrival since June 2026. Source: ICP / UAE MoFA, June 2026.
On 25 June 2026, the UAE expanded its visa-on-arrival programme to include Thai nationals who hold a valid residency permit from the USA, UK, any EU member state, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore or South Korea. They now qualify for a paid UAE visa on arrival: AED 100 for 14 days or AED 250 for 60 days. Thai nationals in Thailand without a qualifying third-country permit still need a prepaid UAE tourist visa. Source: UAE MoFA / ICP announcement, 25 June 2026.
On-arrival (Thai nationals with qualifying third-country permit): AED 100 for 14 days (approximately THB 3,800) or AED 250 for 60 days (approximately THB 9,600). Prepaid tourist visa: express from AED 789 (30-day), AED 989 (60-day), AED 1,190 (30-day multiple entry). Standard processing is available at lower cost. All prepaid prices include the government fee.
For prepaid visa: express processing in 4 to 8 hours on UAE working days. Standard processing in 2 to 4 working days. UAE does not process on Saturday or Sunday. For on-arrival (qualifying Thai nationals): issued immediately at UAE airport on arrival : no waiting time.
Yes. Express processing delivers the approved UAE tourist visa in 4 to 8 hours on UAE working days. Submit before 12:00 PM UAE time (GMT+4) for same-day delivery. UAE does not process on Saturday or Sunday. Plan around the UAE working week if travel is urgent.
For prepaid UAE tourist visa: (1) colour copy of Thai passport bio page : all four corners visible, valid for at least 6 months from UAE entry date; (2) white background photograph taken within the last 3 months. A return ticket and hotel booking may also be requested. For on-arrival (qualifying Thai nationals with third-country permit): Thai passport, qualifying residency permit (physical, min 6 months remaining), return ticket and hotel booking.
It depends on your passport, not your UAE residency. UAE nationals (Emirati passport) enter Thailand visa-free for 30 days. Indian passport holders can use Thailand Visa on Arrival (THB 2,000, 15 days). Pakistani and Egyptian nationals need a Thailand tourist visa applied for in advance through the Royal Thai Consulate in Dubai or via VFS Global. Thailand e-visa is available to most nationalities at tp.consular.go.th.
For Thai nationals qualifying for on-arrival since June 2026, a 14-day paid visa on arrival is available at AED 100. For those applying for a prepaid UAE tourist visa, the minimum available duration is 30 days. There is no 7-day tourist visa. The 30-day visa allows a stay of up to 30 days from the date of first entry into the UAE.
UAE immigration may ask Thai visitors to show they have sufficient funds for their stay. The informally cited amount is AED 3,000 per person (approximately THB 27,000). This is a discretionary check by immigration officers on arrival, not a formal visa condition or application requirement. A confirmed return ticket, hotel booking and a bank card with accessible funds is the practical way to satisfy this. Carrying AED 3,000 in cash is not required.
Yes. A 30-day multiple-entry UAE tourist visa is available as a prepaid visa for those who need to leave the UAE and return during the validity period. Standard processing: AED 990. Express: AED 1,190.
If you applied through Arabiers, email updates are sent at every stage. For direct status checks: GDRFA Dubai smart portal at smart.gdrfad.gov.ae or ICP portal at icp.gov.ae using your application reference number.
A recent colour photograph with a plain white background, full face visible, neutral expression, no glasses recommended. Taken within the last 3 months. Standard passport photo dimensions. Headwear for religious purposes is accepted.
If you are transiting through Dubai without leaving the airport (airside transit), Thai nationals do not require a visa. If you plan to exit the airport during a layover and enter Dubai, a UAE tourist visa or paid on-arrival visa (if qualifying) is needed. Most Thai travellers with a prepaid UAE tourist visa are using it for tourism or short stays, not transit. Contact our team with your transit duration to confirm the right option.
Indian nationals can use Thailand Visa on Arrival at the airport (THB 2,000, 15 days) or apply for a Thailand e-visa at tp.consular.go.th (60-day, single entry). Pakistani nationals need a Thailand tourist visa applied for in advance through the Royal Thai Consulate General in Dubai or VFS Global. Allow 5 to 15 working days for processing. All travellers entering Thailand in 2026 must also complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before their flight.
Yes. A UAE tourist visa extension can be applied for from inside the UAE before the current visa expires. Available in 30-day increments. No grace period since October 2024 : fines begin from AED 50 per day from the first day after expiry.
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