By GulfInside | Updated October 23, 2026
Travellers from six more countries can qualify for a UAE visa on arrival under an expanded entry scheme announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). The important qualification is easy to miss: nationality alone is not enough. Applicants must also hold valid residency in one of the designated countries.
The change, announced on June 25, 2026, extends the existing scheme beyond Indian nationals to eligible passport holders from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa. It also adds six qualifying countries of residence. This is an existing June decision, not a fresh October announcement.
Which nationalities are eligible?
The ICP names seven nationalities under this particular entry-visa route: India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa. Family members must also satisfy the nationality and residence-permit conditions set out by the authority. This scheme should not be confused with the UAE’s other visa-waiver, visa-on-arrival or advance-visa arrangements.
Which foreign residence permits qualify?
Eligible applicants must hold a valid residence permit from the United States, an EU member state, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Canada were added in the June expansion. Holding a passport from one of the seven listed nationalities without qualifying foreign residency does not establish eligibility under this route.
14-day versus 60-day UAE entry visa
| Feature | 14-day option | 60-day option |
|---|---|---|
| Permitted stay | 14 days | 60 days |
| Published fee | AED 100 | AED 250 |
| Extension | May be extended once | Single-entry and non-extendable |
ICP says travellers must depart before their authorised stay ends. An overstay fine of AED 50 per day applies to violations. These are the authority’s published visa fees for the named categories; travellers should verify any additional service charges or updated conditions before departure.
What travellers should check before booking
First, confirm that both your nationality and the country issuing your current residence permit appear in the ICP list. Second, verify that the permit remains valid for travel and that your passport meets the applicable entry requirements. Third, confirm with the airline and the relevant UAE immigration authority which documents will be checked at boarding and arrival. Finally, distinguish the 14-day extension option from the non-extendable 60-day category before making travel plans.
Does the change mean all Filipinos, Kenyans or South Africans can enter without advance arrangements?
No. The announcement is limited to the specified nationalities with qualifying foreign residence permits. It is not a blanket visa-free entry announcement for every citizen of those countries. Travellers outside the scheme should use the applicable UAE visa process.
Why this matters
The expansion may simplify short visits for people who live abroad but retain passports from the newly listed countries. It can also create confusion when headlines omit the foreign-residency condition. The safest approach is to use the published ICP criteria rather than rely on a nationality-only social-media list.
Official source
ICP announcement, June 25, 2026. Visa policies and operational requirements can change; readers should reconfirm their own eligibility with ICP and their carrier.
