UAE Aligns With Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Kenya, South Africa, and Others as Travellers With Valid US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore Visas Gain Easier Entry: What Could This Mean for Tourism Growth in 2026?

Written By: Abhirup Gan

Abhirup Gan

I'm Abhirup Gan, a Mass Communication graduate and digital marketing professional. Driven by a passion for storytelling, I create insightful, research-led content that explores tourism trends, destination stories, and hospitality developments with depth and clarity. Through my writing, I hope to inspire readers to discover not only where to travel, but the stories, cultures, and experiences that make every journey meaningful.

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June 27, 2026 10:51 AM

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UAE Aligns With Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Kenya, South Africa, and Others as Travellers With Valid US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore Visas Gain Easier Entry. UAE is opening a new pathway for travellers from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expanding its visa-on-arrival programme to include nationals from these six countries under specific eligibility requirements. The move adds new opportunities for tourism and short-term travel to destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, while maintaining conditions linked to existing residence permits and visas from selected global markets.

The latest expansion means eligible travellers from the six newly included countries can obtain a visa on arrival when entering the UAE, provided they hold a valid and unexpired residence permit or visa issued by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea or Singapore.

For international travellers planning holidays, stopovers or short visits, the policy introduces additional flexibility at a time when the UAE continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.

How the New Visa-on-Arrival Programme Works

The updated programme is not a full visa waiver. Instead, it extends visa-on-arrival eligibility to passport holders from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa who meet the additional visa or residency requirements.

Eligible travellers arriving in the UAE can choose between two visa options.

The first option is a 14-day visa on arrival costing AED 100. This visa can be extended once for an additional period under existing regulations.

The second option is a 60-day single-entry visa on arrival costing AED 250. This visa is non-extendable and is designed for visitors planning longer stays within the country.

The programme applies to tourism, leisure and short-term travel activities, making it easier for qualified visitors to enter the UAE without completing a traditional visa process before departure.

What This Means for Tourism in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain the UAE’s largest tourism gateways, attracting millions of international visitors every year through major airports and global airline connections.

For travellers from Southeast Asia and Africa, the expanded visa-on-arrival access could simplify travel planning and reduce pre-trip administrative requirements. Visitors can continue to access the UAE’s broad range of tourism offerings, including luxury hotels, shopping districts, cultural attractions, beaches, entertainment venues and business events.

Dubai continues to attract visitors through attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina, while Abu Dhabi welcomes travellers to sites including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Yas Island.

The easier arrival process for eligible visitors may also support multi-destination travel itineraries that combine the UAE with other regional destinations across the Gulf.

Southeast Asia and Africa Gain Greater Access

The inclusion of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines adds four significant Southeast Asian source markets to the programme.

These countries have experienced growing outbound travel demand in recent years, with increasing numbers of travellers seeking long-haul holiday destinations, city breaks and international leisure experiences.

Kenya and South Africa represent important African tourism markets with expanding air connectivity to the Gulf region. Direct flights operated by UAE-based carriers already connect major cities across these countries with Dubai and Abu Dhabi, helping facilitate tourism and business travel flows.

The expanded eligibility framework strengthens travel links between the UAE and these regions while maintaining security and verification requirements through the approved visa and residency criteria.

Why the UAE Continues to Focus on Tourism Accessibility

Tourism remains a key pillar of the UAE’s economic diversification strategy. The country has consistently invested in airport infrastructure, airline connectivity, hospitality developments and visitor experiences designed to attract international travellers throughout the year.

Visa policy adjustments have become an important component of this strategy. Over recent years, the UAE has introduced various entry reforms aimed at supporting tourism, business travel and long-term residency opportunities.

The latest expansion follows that broader approach by increasing access for travellers who already hold valid immigration credentials from recognised countries and regions.

For tourism stakeholders, including airlines, hotels, tour operators and attractions, easier visitor access can help stimulate travel demand and encourage additional arrivals from emerging outbound markets.

Travel Planning Considerations for Visitors

Travellers planning to use the visa-on-arrival programme should ensure that their passports remain valid and that any supporting residence permits or visas from the approved jurisdictions are unexpired before travel.

Visitors should also verify the latest entry requirements through official UAE government channels before departure, as immigration policies may be updated periodically.

Airlines operating services to the UAE may request documentation confirming eligibility before boarding, making advance preparation important for a smooth travel experience.

For tourists, the programme offers greater flexibility for both short visits and extended stays, depending on the chosen visa category.

Key Statistics

• Six new countries added to the UAE visa-on-arrival programme.
• Eligible travellers must hold a valid visa or residence permit from nine approved jurisdictions.
• AED 100 fee for the 14-day visa-on-arrival option.
• AED 250 fee for the 60-day single-entry visa-on-arrival option.
• A 14-day visa can be extended once.
• 60-day visa is non-extendable.

Chronological Tracker

• UAE expands visa-on-arrival eligibility to Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa.
• Eligibility tied to valid residence permits or visas from approved countries and regions.
• Travellers gain access to 14-day and 60-day visa-on-arrival options.
• Tourism and short-term travel access broadened across key Southeast Asian and African markets.

FAQ

1. Which countries were newly added to the UAE visa-on-arrival programme?
   Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa.
2. Do travellers automatically qualify?
   No. Travellers must also hold a valid and unexpired residence permit or visa from the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea or Singapore.
3. What visa options are available on arrival?
   Eligible visitors can choose a 14-day visa for AED 100 or a 60-day single-entry visa for AED 250.

Dates

• Visa-on-arrival expansion announced by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2026.
• 14-day visa option available upon arrival and extendable once.
• 60-day single-entry visa available upon arrival and non-extendable.

Conclusion

UAE Aligns With Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Kenya, South Africa, and Others as Travellers With Valid US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore Visas Gain Easier Entry. The UAE’s latest visa-on-arrival expansion links Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa more closely with destinations including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. By offering qualified travellers simplified entry options through 14-day and 60-day visas on arrival, the UAE continues to enhance accessibility for international visitors while supporting tourism growth across key emerging travel markets.