Entry Procedures
Visa and entry requirements depend on the country that issued your passport. The information here is general guidance. Always confirm the requirements for your own nationality with the official source.
This information is for general guidance only. Please verify with the embassy or official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Types of visas required and their conditions
Many nationalities get a free visa on arrival (often 30 or 90 days depending on nationality), while others must apply for a visit visa in advance, usually online or through an airline/hotel. Rules and eligible lists change, so confirm your own nationality's current conditions with an official source before you travel. A passport valid for at least six months is normally required.
- On arrival
- Many nationalities
- Others
- Apply in advance
- Confirm
- Before you travel
- Check your nationality's current rules with an official source
Passport Conditions
Required validity period and blank pages
Your passport should generally be valid for at least six months from your arrival date. Immigration uses e-gates and facial recognition at major airports, which is fast for eligible travellers. Keep a return or onward ticket and your accommodation details ready, and store a copy of your passport separately.
- Validity
- 6 months+
- Entry
- e-gates at airports
- Copy
- Keep separate
- Major airports use fast e-gates and facial recognition
Required Documents & Pre-registration
Arrival cards, health declarations, and other preparations
Carry your passport, any pre-arranged visa confirmation, a return/onward ticket and proof of accommodation. Immigration may ask about your stay. There is no separate arrival card for most airport arrivals. If you applied for a visa in advance, keep the approval printout or on your phone. Confirm current document requirements on official sites.
- Carry
- Passport, ticket, hotel
- Visa
- Keep approval handy
- Confirm
- Official sites
- Keep any pre-approved visa confirmation accessible
Pre-arrival procedure — UAE e-Visa (if needed): many nationalities get a visa on arrival; others must obtain a visit/tourist e-Visa before travel. Official channels are ICP Smart Services (icp.gov.ae, federal) or GDRFA-Dubai (gdrfad.gov.ae), or via an airline/hotel/licensed agent. Options include 14/30/60-day and single/multiple entry. The approved visa arrives as a PDF by email. Beware paid look-alike sites.
Official ICP Smart Services (icp.gov.ae)- Family name
- SMITH
- First / given name
- MICHAEL
- Nationality
- Your nationality (e.g. UNITED STATES)
- Passport No.
- A1234567
- Date of birth
- 1990-05-20
- Photo & passport bio page
- Upload a recent photo and the details page
- Date of arrival
- 2026-04-10
- Address in the UAE
- Hotel name & address (e.g. in Dubai)
How to apply (if a visa is required)
- 1 Check whether your nationality needs a pre-arranged visa or gets visa on arrival (on u.ae / ICP / GDRFA).
- 2 Open ICP Smart Services (icp.gov.ae) or GDRFA-Dubai (gdrfad.gov.ae), or apply via your airline/hotel/licensed agent.
- 3 Fill the form: passport & personal details; choose the visa type (e.g. 30-day single).
- 4 Upload your photo and passport bio page.
- 5 Review, pay the fee by card and submit; note the reference.
- 6 Wait for the emailed PDF visa and keep it accessible on arrival.
Whether you need a pre-arranged visa, fees, validity and channels can change; confirm the current rules on the official portals before you travel.
Last updated: 2026-08-30
Cash Import Limits
Declaration-free limits and procedures for excess amounts
Cash, or equivalent negotiable instruments, above a set threshold (commonly around AED 60,000 or its equivalent) must be declared to customs on arrival. This includes foreign currency. Travellers under 18 have lower or nil allowances. Declare honestly to avoid penalties, and confirm the current threshold on the UAE customs website before you travel.
- Declare
- Above ~AED 60,000
- Includes
- Foreign currency
- Confirm
- Current threshold
- Declare honestly to avoid penalties at customs
Duty-Free Allowances & Restricted Items
Limits on tobacco, alcohol, food, and other goods
Travellers have duty-free allowances for a limited quantity of cigarettes/tobacco and, for non-Muslims of legal age, a limited amount of alcohol. Goods above the allowance may be taxed. Certain items — some foods, plants and animal products — face restrictions. Confirm the current allowances on the UAE customs website before you pack.
- Allowance
- Limited tobacco/alcohol
- Alcohol
- Non-Muslim adults
- Confirm
- Customs website
- Check current duty-free allowances before you pack
Prohibited Items
Items that are strictly forbidden from import
Illegal drugs are strictly banned with severe penalties — even tiny traces can cause serious trouble. Also prohibited or restricted: certain medicines (see the medications section), some CBD/poppy-seed products, materials seen as offensive to Islam, pork products for import, and counterfeit goods. Never carry anything for others and check the prohibited list before you travel.
- Drugs
- Severe penalties
- Watch
- Some meds, CBD
- Never
- Carry for others
- Even tiny traces of banned drugs can cause serious trouble
Medication Import Rules
Rules for bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs
The UAE has strict medicine rules. Some drugs common elsewhere (certain painkillers, sleep aids, ADHD or mental-health medicines, and CBD) are controlled and may need prior approval. Carry medicines in original packaging with a doctor's letter and prescription, and only quantities for personal use. Check the current controlled list and approval process with the Ministry of Health before you travel.
- Rules
- Strict
- May need
- Prior approval
- Carry
- Original + prescription
- Some common medicines need prior approval — check in advance
Vaccinations & Health Requirements
Required and recommended vaccines for entry
No vaccines are usually required to enter, but a yellow fever certificate may be requested if you arrive from a country with risk. Travel-health services commonly suggest being up to date on routine shots and considering hepatitis A and typhoid. See a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for advice tailored to you.
- Required
- Usually none
- Yellow fever
- If from risk area
- Consider
- Hep A, typhoid
- See a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before departure
Immigration Process
Step-by-step guide from arrival to clearing immigration
Arrival is usually quick and modern. Have your passport (and pre-approved visa, if applicable) ready; officers may take a photo/eye scan and ask brief questions. Many airports offer smart e-gates. If your visa is time-limited, note the exact permitted stay and any extension rules, as overstaying incurs daily fines. Confirm the current process on official sites.
- Process
- Fast, modern
- e-gates
- Widely available
- Overstay
- Daily fines
- Overstaying your permitted stay incurs daily fines
Tips for Smooth Entry
Practical advice for a hassle-free arrival
Confirm your visa position for your nationality well before booking. Register for e-gates at the airport if eligible to speed up entry. Note the daily overstay fine so you leave on time. If travelling during Ramadan, plan around daytime fasting customs. Keep digital and paper copies of your passport and any visa approval.
- Visa
- Confirm early
- e-gates
- Register if eligible
- Ramadan
- Plan around fasting
- Keep digital and paper copies of your passport and visa