Most passports need a US visa. Citizens of the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries can usually visit for tourism or business for up to 90 days with an approved ESTA instead, and citizens of Canada and Bermuda need neither for most visits. In 2026 there is a second test: Presidential Proclamation 10998 suspends or limits visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries, so check that list before you pay any fee. Where you live in the UAE does not change which document you need, but it does affect where you can apply, because the US Mission says routine visa processing is not available in the UAE at this time.
Last checked 24 September 2026.
The short answer by passport type
| Your passport | What you need for a short visit | Where the rule comes from |
|---|---|---|
| One of the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries | ESTA approval before boarding, stay up to 90 days, no work or study | US State Department and CBP |
| Canada or Bermuda | No visa for most visits; Canadian permanent residents who are not citizens still need a visa | US State Department |
| One of the 19 countries under full suspension in Proclamation 10998 | You may apply and attend an interview, but visas are generally not issued unless an exception applies | Proclamation 10998 and State Department notice |
| One of the 19 countries under partial suspension | B1/B2, F, M and J visas and immigrant visas are suspended unless an exception applies | Proclamation 10998 and State Department notice |
| Any other country, including the UAE, India, Pakistan and the Philippines | A B1/B2 visitor visa, applied for with Form DS-160 and usually an interview | US State Department |
UAE citizens are not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Emirati travellers apply for a B1/B2 visa. Our guide for UAE nationals covers that route in detail.
The 42 Visa Waiver Program countries
The State Department lists these countries as designated for the Visa Waiver Program on 24 September 2026. Citizens with an eligible passport apply online for ESTA through the official CBP site.
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe, EU members | Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden |
| Europe, outside the EU | Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, United Kingdom |
| Middle East | Israel, Qatar |
| Asia and Pacific | Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan |
| Americas | Chile |
Some EU countries are not on the list, so an EU passport alone does not mean ESTA. Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania did not appear on the State Department’s list when we checked.
When a Visa Waiver passport is not enough
The State Department says Visa Waiver nationals must get a visa instead of ESTA if they have travelled to or been present in North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after 1 March 2011, or in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021, with limited exceptions for diplomatic or military travel. The same applies to Visa Waiver nationals who are also nationals of Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria. Dual nationals living in Dubai are the group most often caught by this. See ESTA or B1/B2 for UAE residents for how to choose.
Proclamation 10998: the 39 countries
Presidential Proclamation 10998 was published in the Federal Register on 19 December 2025 (90 FR 59717) and took effect at 12:01 am Eastern time on 1 January 2026. The State Department’s implementation notice, last updated 2 February 2026, lists the countries below. Applicants who are subject to it may still apply and attend interviews, but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission.
| Level | Countries | What is suspended |
|---|---|---|
| Full suspension (19, plus Palestinian Authority travel documents) | Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen | Immigrant and nonimmigrant visas |
| Partial suspension (19) | Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe | Immigrant visas and B1/B2, F, M and J visas; validity of other nonimmigrant visas may be reduced |
| Immigrant visas only (1) | Turkmenistan | Immigrant visas |
The proclamation lists exceptions, including visas issued before 1 January 2026, lawful permanent residents, dual nationals travelling on the passport of a country not on the list, certain diplomatic visas, and athletes travelling for major sporting events. The US Embassy’s UAE visas page still carried the proclamation notice on 24 September 2026. If your passport is listed, check the exceptions before paying any fee. Nigerian residents of the UAE should read our guide for Nigerian citizens.
Common UAE resident nationalities that need a visa
The table shows the longest B1/B2 visa each nationality can be issued under the State Department’s reciprocity schedule, checked on 24 September 2026. The consular officer may issue a shorter visa. None of these nationalities pays a B1/B2 reciprocity fee, so the $185 application fee is the main government charge.
| Passport | Maximum B1/B2 validity | Entries | Proclamation 10998 |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 120 months | Multiple | Not listed |
| India | 120 months | Multiple | Not listed |
| Philippines | 120 months | Multiple | Not listed |
| Pakistan | 60 months | Multiple | Not listed |
| Egypt | 60 months | Multiple | Not listed |
| Jordan | 60 months | Multiple | Not listed |
| Lebanon | 60 months | Multiple | Not listed |
| Morocco | 120 months | Multiple | Not listed |
| Kazakhstan | 120 months | Multiple | Not listed |
| Armenia | 120 months | Multiple | Not listed |
| Ukraine | 120 months | Multiple | Not listed |
| Russia | 36 months | Multiple | Not listed |
| Iraq | 12 months | Multiple | Not listed |
| Belarus | 12 months | Multiple | Not listed |
We have fuller guides for several of these passports, including Indian citizens, Pakistani citizens, Filipino citizens, Egyptian citizens and Russian citizens living in the UAE.
Where UAE residents can apply now
The State Department asks nonimmigrant applicants to book in their country of residence or nationality. On 24 September 2026 the US Embassy’s UAE visas page said “routine visa processing is not available in the United Arab Emirates at this time”, and a Mission notice of 1 March 2026 says routine visa services in the UAE are suspended. The page still describes Friday morning appointment releases, lets existing appointment holders look for earlier dates, and links to expedited appointment information; genuine emergencies are handled by the Mission.
In practice, a UAE resident who needs a visa and has no existing UAE appointment usually applies in their country of nationality. Some nationalities have designated posts instead: Russians are directed to Warsaw or Astana, and Belarusians to Vilnius or Warsaw. The State Department’s wait-time tool gives estimates for each post, and it says each figure is only an estimate.
Step by step: applying for a B1/B2 as a UAE resident
- Check your passport against the Visa Waiver list and the Proclamation 10998 list above.
- Choose the post: the UAE if you already hold an appointment, otherwise your country of nationality or its designated post.
- Complete the DS-160 for that post, with names exactly as in your passport.
- Pay the $185 fee and book through the official appointment system for that country.
- Prepare documents: passport valid six months beyond the stay, DS-160 confirmation, UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, employment letter or trade licence, bank statements, and trip documents.
- Attend the interview. The State Department says an invitation letter or affidavit of support is not needed for a visitor visa.
Common refusal reasons
The State Department’s visa denials page explains that most visitor refusals fall under section 214(b), where the applicant has not shown they qualify, usually through ties that ensure departure. A 221(g) refusal means information is missing or administrative processing is needed, and you have one year to respond before a new application and fee are required. Misrepresentation under section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) can lead to a permanent ineligibility. Our 214(b) explainer covers the most common one. Some nationalities can also be asked to post a refundable bond; see our explainer on the US visa bond programme.
How Visa Doctor helps
We confirm which route your passport needs, check it against Proclamation 10998, complete the DS-160 with you and prepare your supporting file for whichever post you use. We handle B1, B2, F1 and F2 visas and ESTA. We do not handle work, immigrant or transit categories. We cannot create appointments or shorten official queues, and the consular officer decides every case. Call +971 58 509 5268 or message us on WhatsApp. Our office is Office 311, Stadium Point, Dubai Sports City, open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 20:00.
Frequently asked questions
Do UAE residents need a US visa?
It depends on nationality, not residence. A British or German resident of Dubai normally uses ESTA. An Indian, Pakistani, Egyptian or Emirati resident needs a B1/B2 visa.
Which countries do not need a visa for the USA?
Citizens of Canada and Bermuda, plus the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries listed above, who use ESTA for stays of up to 90 days. Everyone else needs a visa for a visit.
Which countries are on the 2026 US travel ban list?
Presidential Proclamation 10998 lists 19 countries under full suspension, 19 under partial suspension and Turkmenistan for immigrant visas only, plus Palestinian Authority travel documents. The full list is in the table above.
Can I apply for a US visa in Dubai right now?
Not for a routine appointment. On 24 September 2026 the US Mission said routine visa processing is not available in the UAE at this time. Existing appointment holders can look for earlier dates, and genuine emergencies are handled by the Mission.
Is Qatar in the Visa Waiver Program?
Yes. Qatar appears on the State Department’s current list of designated countries, so eligible Qatari citizens can apply for ESTA.
Can I use ESTA if I visited Iraq or Iran?
Usually not. Visa Waiver nationals who were in Iran, Iraq and several other listed countries on or after 1 March 2011 must apply for a visa, subject to narrow official exceptions.
How long is a US visitor visa valid?
It depends on nationality under the reciprocity schedule, from 12 months for Iraqi and Belarusian citizens up to 120 months for Indian, Filipino, Moroccan and Emirati citizens. Each stay is still decided at the border.
Sources and official references
All sources checked 24 September 2026.
- US Department of State: Visa Waiver Program countries and eligibility
- US Customs and Border Protection: Official ESTA application
- US Customs and Border Protection: ESTA frequently asked questions
- Federal Register: Proclamation 10998, 90 FR 59717
- The White House: Proclamation text
- US Department of State: Suspension of visa issuance under Proclamation 10998
- US Embassy and Consulate in the UAE: Visas, routine processing status
- US Mission UAE: Suspension of routine visa services notice, 1 March 2026
- US Department of State: Visitor visa requirements
- US Department of State: Visa denials
- US Department of State: Visa appointment wait times