The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that nationals of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa, who hold valid residence permits in certain countries, are now eligible for a UAE entry visa on arrival for either 14 or 60 days. The update was announced by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security on 25 June 2026.1
WHY THIS MATTERS
This change may reduce the administrative steps associated with travel to the United Arab Emirates for eligible employees and accompanying family members. It may also help organizations managing regional business visits, employee travel, or assignments by providing a more streamlined entry route for individuals who already hold qualifying residence permits.
Key highlights
- Nationals of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa may obtain a UAE entry visa on arrival if they hold a valid residence permit in the United States, European Union countries, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada.
- Two visa-on-arrival options are available, a 14-day visa, which may be renewed once during the stay, and a 60-day visa, which is issued once and is not renewable. The visa fee is AED 100 for the 14-day visa and AED 250 for the 60-day visa.
- Eligible family members of qualifying nationals may also obtain the visa on arrival. Overstaying beyond the permitted visa duration results in a penalty of AED 50 per day.
- The measure is intended to support travel to the UAE for tourism and business purposes, strengthen bilateral relations, and contribute to the UAE’s position in mobility and tourism indices.
KPMG INSIGHTS
In light of this development, organizations and entities might consider the following:
- Organizations could update travel policies and internal guidance to reflect the expanded UAE visa-on-arrival eligibility.
- Employers managing business travel or short-term assignments to the UAE might review whether affected employees and accompanying family members meet the nationality and residence-permit requirements.
- Employers and mobility teams could review travel planning processes for affected employees, as the new visa options provide shorter- and longer-stay entry routes.
- Employers could brief eligible employees on the available visa durations, renewal limitations, applicable fees, and overstay penalties before travel.
If assignees and/or their programme managers have any questions or concerns about the scope of the update, its application and potential impacts, and appropriate next steps, they should consult with their qualified immigration advisers or with a member of the immigration team with KPMG in the United Arab Emirates (see the Contacts section).
ENDNOTE:
1 Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security website, Government of the United Arab Emirates (in Arabic), “The UAE grants visa on arrival to citizens of six countries living abroad,” published on 25 June 2026.
Contacts
Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in the United Arab Emirates.
GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.
© 2026 KPMG Lower Gulf Limited, KPMG LLP and KPMG LLC, licensed in the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman, and member firms of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.