Passport control & visas

GCC citizens do not require a visa, permit, or sponsorship to enter the UAE. Present a valid GCC passport or national ID card upon arrival.

Citizens of the following countries are eligible for a free visa on arrival

Australia	Austria	Belgium
Brunei	Bulgaria	Canada
China	Croatia	Cyprus
Czech Republic	Denmark	Estonia
Finland	France	Germany
Greece	Hong Kong	Hungary
Iceland	Ireland	Italy
Japan	Latvia	Liechtenstein
Lithuania	Luxembourg	Malaysia
Malta	Monaco	Netherlands
New Zealand	Norway	Poland
Portugal	Romania	Russia
San Marino	Singapore	Slovakia
Slovenia	South Korea	Spain
Sweden	Switzerland	The Vatican
United Kingdom	United States of America

Please note: Visa-on-arrival eligibility is subject to change. Guests should check the latest entry requirements including visa validity, passport stipulations, and required documents with the UAE embassy in their country of residence before departure.

Travellers from countries not listed above must apply for a visa before arriving in Dubai. Check the visa costs and application process through General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). For details, call 8005111 from Dubai or +971 4313 9999 from overseas.

Some travellers may need to undergo an eye scan upon arrival at passport control.

Note: Visa rules may change. Confirm with your airline, the GDRFA and The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs for updated information.

Check visa requirements as per the final destination. Guests may not be allowed to travel if they don't have the correct visa.

Smart Gates are an advanced passport control system available at DWC. They allow arriving and departing guests to pass through passport control swiftly, typically within seconds, thanks to their enhanced features and contactless process.

UAE and GCC nationals, UAE residents and visa-on-arrival guests with biometric passports can use the Smart Gates. First-time Smart Gates users are registered to use the Smart Gates when entering the passport control touchpoint upon arrival at DWC. If you are registered for Smart Gates, you can pass through by simply looking at the green light without needing to scan a document. Remember to remove anything covering the face, such as masks, glasses, and hats, and keep the passport and boarding pass ready in case they are needed.

People of Determination (individuals with disabilities or impairments), guests with large strollers, families with children, and guests under 1.2 meters in height are ineligible to use the Smart Gates.

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) website allows guests to check eligibility to use the Smart Gate service.