🇨🇦CANADA

🇦🇪UAECA-AE

Do Canada passport holders need a visa to visit UAE?

Q: How long can I stay in the UAE?

Up to 90 days within any 180-day period, counted from your first entry. The visa is multiple-entry, so you can exit and re-enter within that window.

Q: Is the visa on arrival free?

Yes. There is no fee, no application form and no processing charge for Canadian citizens. It is stamped into your passport at immigration.

Q: What happens if I overstay?

Overstaying incurs a fine of around AED 50 per day under current rules, with no grace period, and may affect future entries. Always exit before your authorized stay ends.

Q: Can I work on this visa?

No. The visit visa is for tourism, family visits and short business meetings only. Working in the UAE on a tourist visa is prohibited.

Canadian ordinary passport holders get a free 90-day visa on arrival at any UAE port of entry — no advance application needed. Canadian citizens holding an ordinary passport do not need to arrange a visa before traveling to the United Arab Emirates for tourism. On arrival at any UAE airport or land/sea port, immigration issues a complimentary visit visa allowing a stay of 90 days within any 180-day period, granted multiple-entry. There is no fee, no application form, and no pre-approval. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry. The UAE does not permit working on this visa, and overstaying incurs fines (around AED 50 per day) with no grace period under current rules. Both the Government of Canada travel advisory and the official UAE government portal confirm this visa-on-arrival arrangement as of 2026.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

Canada (PR)Living in Canada as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Visa on arrival (free)

Maximum stay

90 days within a 180-day period

per entry

Entries

Multiple entry

from issue date

Visa fee

Free (AED 0)

consular fee only

Processing time

Issued instantly at the port of entry

standard track

Validity

Stay must be used within 180 days of first entry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm passport validity

Ensure your Canadian ordinary passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of entry into the UAE. Temporary or emergency travel documents are not accepted for entry.

· 6 months validity· Ordinary passport

/02

Book travel — no advance visa needed

Book your flights and accommodation. There is no visa to apply for in advance; the visa is granted on arrival at the UAE port of entry.

· No pre-application

/03

Prepare supporting documents

Carry a confirmed return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address). Immigration may ask to see these.

· Return ticket· Hotel booking

/04

Arrive and proceed to immigration

On landing at Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or another UAE port, go to passport control. Officers stamp a free 90-day visit visa into your passport.

· Instant· Free stamp

/05

Track your 90/180 allowance

Your 90 days of permitted stay must be used within a rolling 180-day window from first entry. Monitor your remaining days if you exit and re-enter.

· 90 in 180

/06

Exit before expiry

Leave the UAE before your authorized stay ends. There is no automatic grace period; overstaying triggers fines of around AED 50 per day and possible re-entry issues.

· No grace period· AED 50/day fine

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

8 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 8 complete

Canadian ordinary passport valid 6+ months beyond entry

required

Passport with at least one blank page for the entry stamp

required

Confirmed return or onward flight ticket

required

Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)

recommended

Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay

recommended

Travel/medical insurance covering the UAE

recommended

Contact details and itinerary for your trip

recommended

No fee or application form needed for the visa

optional

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Visa on arrivalAED 0Free for Canadian ordinary passport holders

Optional 30-day extensionAED 600–650Only if extending beyond the granted stay; arranged in-country

Overstay fineAED 50 per dayCharged if you remain past authorized stay; no grace period

Total estimateAED 0 — AED 0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa on arrival at port of entry

Instant (minutes at immigration)

Free 90-day visit visa stamped into your passport on arrival; no advance steps required.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Tourism and leisure

Visiting Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other emirates for sightseeing, beaches and entertainment.

High

/02

Visiting family or friends

Short stays to see relatives or friends residing in the UAE.

Medium

/03

Business meetings and events

Attending conferences, exhibitions or short business meetings (not employment).

Medium

/04

Transit and stopover

Stopping over in the UAE en route to another destination and exploring during a layover.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Present your passport and UAE entry permit or eVisa approval. The officer decides the final entry stamp and stay conditions.

/02

Customs

Declare restricted goods and large cash amounts when required. Keep medicines in original packaging with prescriptions.

/03

Connectivity

Airport SIM and eSIM options are widely available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi arrivals halls.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30

Canada to United Arab Emirates route verified

Confirmed via the Government of Canada travel advisory and the official UAE government portal that Canadian ordinary passport holders receive a free 90-day (within 180 days) multiple-entry visa on arrival, with 6-month passport validity required.

/09 — The questions