- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expanded eligibility for its entry visa programme to include citizens of six countries: Kenya, South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines
- Eligible applicants can apply for a 14-day or 60-day entry visa, provided they meet additional requirements, including holding a valid residence permit from an approved country
- The reported fees are AED 100 for the 14-day visa and AED 250 for the 60-day visa, with different extension conditions applying to each category
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
The United Arab Emirates has expanded access to its entry visa programme, adding six nationalities, including Kenyans and South Africans, to a category that previously covered Indian citizens.
Source: Getty Images
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) announced the expansion as part of efforts to make the country's entry and residence system more flexible and improve the travel experience for visitors.
However, holding a passport from one of the newly eligible countries does not automatically guarantee a visa. Applicants must also meet the programme's residence permit requirements.
According to the announcement cited in the report, citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply under the expanded visa category:
- Indonesia
- Vietnam
- Thailand
- The Philippines
- Kenya
- South Africa
The expansion gives qualifying travellers from these countries an additional route to visit the UAE for purposes permitted under the relevant visa conditions.
UAE Entry Visa: Residence Permit Requirements
Applicants and their accompanying family members must hold a valid residence permit issued by one of the approved countries or jurisdictions listed below:
- United States
- A member state of the European Union (EU)
- United Kingdom
- Singapore
- Japan
- South Korea
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Canada
Applicants should confirm that their residence permits meet the applicable validity and eligibility conditions before submitting an application. Citizenship alone is not sufficient to qualify under this category.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the initiative aims to strengthen relations with partner countries and encourage humanitarian, economic and cultural exchanges.
The ministry also highlighted the opportunity for more travellers to experience the UAE's tourism attractions, business environment and infrastructure.
UAE Visa Fees, Duration and Conditions
The two visa categories have different fees, permitted stays and extension rules, according to the supplied report.
Visa category | Reported fee | Conditions |
14-day entry visa | AED 100 (approximately KSh 3,500) | May be extended once, subject to applicable conditions |
60-day entry visa | AED 250 (approximately KSh 8,800) | Single entry; cannot be extended |
Visa holders must leave the UAE before their authorised period of stay expires. The report states that overstaying attracts a fine of AED 50 (approximately KSh 1,750) for each day beyond the permitted period.
Travellers should confirm the applicable fees, extension conditions and overstay penalties with the UAE authorities before travelling, as immigration requirements and charges may change.
Why the UAE Is Expanding Visa Eligibility
The ICP said the changes align with international travel and tourism trends and are intended to accommodate a wider range of visitors.
The initiative is also expected to support the UAE's efforts to attract tourists, entrepreneurs and skilled professionals while strengthening economic and cultural connections with other countries.
For Kenyan and South African travellers, the key point is that the expanded category offers a potential route to a short-term UAE visit, but applicants must satisfy both the nationality and residence permit requirements. They should verify their individual eligibility and the current application procedure before making travel arrangements.
In a similar report, TUKO.co.ke published that the UAE announced four eligibility criteria for foreigners to get an Abu Dhabi Green Visa.
UAE visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival: Countries eligible
Meanwhile, TUKO.co.ke previously reported that the UAE announced its 2026 visa-free and visa-on-arrival rules, including which countries’ citizens can visit and how long they can stay.
With at least 70 nationalities eligible for easier entry, the rules offer travellers several options — but some visitors must meet extra residency conditions before they can board.
Source: Legit.ng