# Can I Enter the UAE With a US Visa? 2026 Rules by Nationality Source: https://visadoctor.ae/enter-uae-with-us-visa-on-arrival-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-24 Publisher: Visa Doctor FZC, licensed visa documentation agency in Dubai (SPC Free Zone licence 4417571.01) Yes, if you hold an ordinary Indian passport and a valid US visa or US green card, you are eligible for a UAE visa on arrival, as long as your passport and the US document are both valid for at least six months. The standard option is a 14-day visa that can be extended once, and the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) also offers a 60-day visa that cannot be extended. An expired US visa does not qualify, and neither does one with less than six months left. This guide covers who is eligible, the fees, what changed in June 2026, and what it means if your US visa is due for renewal. Last checked 24 September 2026 against ICP, GDRFA Dubai and other official UAE sources. **US Mission UAE status, checked 24 September 2026:** the Mission’s [Visas page](https://ae.usembassy.gov/visas/) says: “While the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai are open, routine visa processing is not available in the United Arab Emirates at this time. Further updates regarding visa processing will be posted here when available.” The Mission’s [security alert of 1 September 2026](https://ae.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-abu-dhabi-united-arab-emirates-september-1-2026/) said: “Limited Non-immigrant Visa appointments are available. All Immigrant Visa services remain suspended.” The alerts of 11 and 19 September do not repeat the visa line. The Mission reported limited appointment capacity on 1 September, but routine services have not resumed. This matters if your US visa needs renewing, which we cover below. ## Can I enter the UAE with a US visa? Answer by nationality Updated 25 September 2026: GDRFA Dubai conditions, the Emirates UAE visa page and the US Mission status re-checked. A US visa is never a UAE visa on its own. For some nationalities it unlocks a UAE visa on arrival or a pre-approved entry permit; for most it changes nothing. Your passport | Does a US visa help you enter the UAE? | Source | Indian (ordinary passport) | Yes. A US visa or green card valid for at least 6 months makes you eligible for a 14 day visa on arrival, extendable once, or a 60 day visa. Your passport must also be valid for 6 months. | [GDRFA Dubai](https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/727c91b1-52eb-11ea-0320-0050569629e8), [Emirates](https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/) | Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, Filipino, Kenyan, South African | Added on 25 June 2026, but the announcement and Emirates describe a residence permit (for example a green card), not a visitor visa. Do not rely on a US tourist visa alone until ICP or your airline confirms it. | [ICP, 25 June 2026](https://icp.gov.ae/en/media-center/icp-expands-eligibility-for-uae-entry-visa-for-nationals-of-certain-countries/), [Emirates](https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/) | Nationalities that already get a UAE visa on arrival or visa free entry (for example UK, US and most EU passports) | Not needed. You enter under your own passport’s rules. | [UAE Government portal](https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Visa-information/do-you-need-an-entry-permit-or-a-visa-to-enter-the-uae) | All other nationalities | No. Apply for a UAE visit visa before you travel. | [UAE Government portal](https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Visa-information/do-you-need-an-entry-permit-or-a-visa-to-enter-the-uae) | UAE residents of any nationality | Not needed. You enter on your residence visa and Emirates ID. | UAE residence rules | ## How the US visa route works for Indian nationals It depends on your nationality. The UAE’s visa on arrival for holders of a US visa was built for Indian nationals, and India was “previously the only eligible nationality” according to ICP. Since 25 June 2026, nationals of six more countries can use a similar route, which the announcement frames around a residence permit (see the June 2026 section below). Nationals of countries that already get visa-free entry to the UAE do not need the US visa at all. Everyone else needs a UAE visa in advance, whatever US visa they hold. GDRFA Dubai’s service page for Indian citizens sets the core conditions: a valid passport for no less than 6 months, and “a visa or green card issued by the competent authorities in the United States of America, with a validity period of no less than 6 months.” It also accepts a residence visa from the United Kingdom or a European Union country. ## UAE visa on arrival for Indians with a US visa or green card: the rules Question | Answer | Official source | Who qualifies? | Indian nationals with an ordinary passport who hold a US visa or US green card | GDRFA Dubai, ICP | Other qualifying documents for Indians | A visa, residence permit or green card from the US, EU or UK, or a residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand | ICP 60-day visa service conditions | Passport validity | At least 6 months | GDRFA Dubai, ICP | US visa or green card validity | At least 6 months | GDRFA Dubai | Length of stay | 14 days, extendable once for a similar period, or 60 days, not extendable | ICP news, 25 June 2026 | Official fee | AED 100 for the 14-day visa, AED 250 for the 60-day visa | ICP news, 25 June 2026 | Overstay fine | AED 50 per day | ICP news, 25 June 2026 | Service charges are added depending on the channel. ICP’s 60-day service page lists an issuance fee of AED 250 plus AED 100 in smart services fees, and GDRFA Dubai lists a total of AED 253 for its online 14-day application. Airlines that arrange the visa add their own charges. Extension fees also differ between GDRFA’s service pages, so check the current figure on the official page before you apply. ### Is a US B1/B2 visa enough, or do I need a green card? For Indian nationals, a valid US visa is enough on the official conditions. GDRFA Dubai’s terms say “a visa or green card”, ICP’s 60-day service accepts “a valid visa, residence permit, or US Green Card issued by the US, EU, or UK”, and GDRFA’s extension pages list “USA visa” and “Green card from the USA” separately. The conditions do not say the US visa must have been used before. ### 14 days or 60 days? The 14-day visa suits short trips and can be extended once while you are in the UAE. The 60-day visa is issued once, for a single stay, and cannot be extended. ICP’s service page for the 60-day visa also says the pre-entry validity is 30 days, meaning you have to enter within 30 days of issue. It is applied for online through ICP’s smart services. ## What changed in June 2026 On 25 June 2026, ICP announced that nationals of Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa had been added to this entry visa, “alongside the Republic of India.” It also confirmed the qualifying countries of residence: the US, EU member states and the UK, plus Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the same announcement. The announcement caused some confusion, because it describes the new eligibility as holding “a valid residence permit” from one of those countries. Two things are worth separating: - **For the six newly added nationalities**, the June 2026 announcement speaks only of a residence permit, while ICP’s 60-day service page lists “a valid visa, residence permit, or US Green Card” for them too. Until ICP clarifies, a Filipino or Indonesian national with only a US tourist visa should not assume they qualify. Check with ICP or your airline first. - **For Indian nationals**, the published service conditions on ICP and GDRFA Dubai still name a US visa as well as a green card. The June announcement did not state any change to that. Rules can change without much notice, and the UAE government portal itself advises checking before you travel. If you are flying with a UAE carrier, check its visa page too. Emirates, for example, says an Indian national with a US visa or green card valid for at least six months may be eligible. ### What the airlines say Airlines check your documents before you board, so their rules matter as much as the government pages. On 25 September 2026 Emirates’ UAE visa page lists, for Indian nationals, a US permanent residency card (green card) or a US visa valid for at least 6 months as a qualifying document for its pre-approved entry permit, at USD 63 for 14 days or USD 141.36 for 60 days, applied for through Manage your booking. For Indonesian, Kenyan, Filipino, South African, Thai and Vietnamese nationals, Emirates lists the United States under residency only. If you fly with another airline, check its visa page or call before you travel. ## Expired US visa? Then no visa on arrival This is where the UAE rules and US renewal overlap. The visa on arrival depends on a US visa that is valid for at least six more months. That rules out: - A US visa that has already expired, even by a day. - A US visa with less than six months left at the time you travel. - A US visa that was cancelled or revoked. If your US visa is expiring, you cannot count on it for UAE visits for much longer, and renewing it from the UAE is not simple right now, as the US Mission status above shows. The safe fallback is an ordinary UAE visit visa arranged in advance. See our guide to [visa-free and easy-access travel for UAE residents](https://visadoctor.ae/visa-free-countries-for-uae-residents-2026/) for how the different visa types compare, and the [passport travel index](https://visadoctor.ae/passport-travel-index/) to see what your own passport gets you. For Indian nationals, renewing in India is often the realistic route. The US interview waiver rule allows applying in your country of nationality, and a B1/B2 renewal can be considered without an interview only within 12 months of the old visa’s expiry. Our [US visa guide for Indian citizens in Dubai](https://visadoctor.ae/indian-citizens-us-visa-from-dubai/) and our [US visa dropbox guide for the UAE](https://visadoctor.ae/us-visa-dropbox-uae-2026/) explain the options, and our [US visa renewal page](https://visadoctor.ae/us-visa-renewal-dubai/) covers how we help. ## Practical tips at the airport - Carry the passport that holds your US visa. If the visa is in an old passport, carry both, and check with your airline before flying, because the UAE conditions do not address this case directly. - Check both validity dates: your passport and your US visa or green card must each have at least six months left. Our [passport validity checker](https://visadoctor.ae/passport-validity-checker/) helps with the passport side. - Have your return or onward ticket and accommodation details ready, as for any visit. - Leave before your permitted stay ends. The overstay fine is AED 50 per day. - If you are a UAE resident yourself, you do not need any of this. You enter on your residence visa and Emirates ID. ## How Visa Doctor helps We check whether your passport and US documents meet the UAE conditions before you book, and we prepare UAE visit visa applications for family members who do not qualify for the visa on arrival. If your US visa is expiring, we check whether you still qualify for a renewal without an interview, prepare the DS-160 and documents, and book the earliest suitable appointment the official system offers, in the UAE or in India. The final decision on any visa rests with the issuing authority. WhatsApp us on +971 58 517 0900 or call +971 58 509 5268. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I enter the UAE with a US visa? Only some nationalities can. An Indian national with an ordinary passport and a US visa or green card valid for at least six months can get a UAE visa on arrival. For most other nationalities a US visa does not help, and you need a UAE visa in advance unless your passport is visa free. ### Can I go to Dubai with a US visa? If you are an Indian national with an ordinary passport, yes, provided your passport and your US visa are both valid for at least six months. You can get a 14-day visa on arrival, or a 60-day visa. For most other nationalities a US visitor visa does not help, and for the six nationalities added in June 2026 the position on visitor visas is unclear, so check before you fly. ### Is a US visa valid for Dubai? A US visa is not a UAE visa. For Indian nationals it is a qualifying document that makes you eligible for a UAE visa on arrival. You still receive, and pay for, a UAE visa. ### Do I need a UAE visa if I have a US visa? You need a UAE visa, but if you are an Indian national with a US visa valid for at least six months, you can get it on arrival instead of applying in advance. ### Can a Filipino or Indonesian enter the UAE with a US visa? Not with confidence. The June 2026 announcement that added Filipino, Indonesian and four other nationalities describes a residence permit, and Emirates lists the United States under residency only for them. A US green card holder may qualify; a US tourist visa alone may not. Check with ICP or your airline before you fly. ### Can an Indian with an expired US visa get a UAE visa on arrival? No. The US visa must be valid for at least six months. With an expired US visa, apply for a UAE visit visa in advance. ### Does the US visa need to have been used before? The official ICP and GDRFA conditions do not say so. They require a valid US visa or green card with at least six months of validity. ### Did the UAE stop visa on arrival for Indians with a US visa in June 2026? No official source we checked says so. ICP’s 25 June 2026 announcement added six new nationalities and six new countries of residence, and described India as already eligible. The service conditions for Indian nationals still list a US visa. Check the official page or your airline before you travel. ### How much is the UAE visa on arrival for Indians? ICP lists AED 100 for the 14-day visa and AED 250 for the 60-day visa. Service charges are added depending on how you apply, and extensions cost extra. GDRFA Dubai lists a total of AED 253 for its online 14-day application. ## Sources and official references - [ICP: Six New Nationalities and Six Additional Countries of Residence Added to Eligibility Criteria, 25 June 2026](https://icp.gov.ae/en/media-center/icp-expands-eligibility-for-uae-entry-visa-for-nationals-of-certain-countries/) (checked 24 September 2026) - [ICP: Issuance of a 60-day visa for nationals of certain countries residing abroad](https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=68f5bcdb8c587a0011cb16d5) (checked 24 September 2026) - [GDRFA Dubai: Visa on arrival for citizens of the Republic of India](https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/727c91b1-52eb-11ea-0320-0050569629e8) (checked 24 September 2026) - [GDRFA Dubai: Extending visas for Indians residing in (US, UK, EU)](https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/35d0176a-52f0-11ea-0320-0050569629e8) (checked 24 September 2026) - [GDRFA Dubai: Extending a visitor visa (upon arrival)](https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/1ce7932c-b801-11ed-5210-4cd98f768936) (checked 24 September 2026) - [UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: UAE Grants Visa on Arrival to Nationals of Six Countries, 25 June 2026](https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2026/6/25/uae-grants-visa-on-arrival) (checked 24 September 2026) - [UAE Embassy in New Delhi: UAE Expands Visa on Arrival for Indian Nationals, February 2025](https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/missions/new-delhi/media-hub/embassy-news/19-2-2025-new-delhi) (checked 24 September 2026) - [UAE Government portal: Check if you need a visa to enter the UAE](https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Visa-information/do-you-need-an-entry-permit-or-a-visa-to-enter-the-uae) (checked 24 September 2026) - [Emirates: UAE visa information](https://www.emirates.com/us/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/) (supporting source, checked 24 September 2026) - [US Embassy and Consulate in the UAE: Visas](https://ae.usembassy.gov/visas/) (checked 24 September 2026) - [US Mission UAE: Security Alert, 1 September 2026](https://ae.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-abu-dhabi-united-arab-emirates-september-1-2026/) (checked 24 September 2026) - [US Department of State: Interview Waiver Update, 18 September 2025](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/interview-waiver-update-sept-18-2025.html) (checked 24 September 2026)