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🇨🇦Canada

🇦🇪United Arab EmiratesCA-AE

Canada to United Arab Emirates visa requirements

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 or study on this visa?

No. Canada lists business and student visas separately as required, and work or residence requires the correct UAE visa or permit.

Canadian ordinary passport holders get a free 90-day tourist visa on arrival at a UAE port of entry. Canada lists business and student visas separately as required. Canadian citizens holding an ordinary passport do not need to arrange a tourist visa before traveling to the United Arab Emirates. On arrival at a UAE port of entry, immigration issues a complimentary visit visa allowing a stay of 90 days within a 180-day period; the 90 days start from the first entry date and must be used within 180 days. There is no tourist visa fee, application form, or pre-approval for ordinary Canadian passports. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry, and Canada says temporary passports and emergency travel documents are not accepted for entry. Canada lists business and student visas separately as required, so travelers should not assume business activities are covered by the tourist visa-on-arrival. UAE ICP lists an AED 50 per-day fine for overstaying after the applicable grace period.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-20

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.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →Canada (PR)Living in Canada as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-20

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

90 days 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 tourist travel — no advance tourist visa needed

For tourism with an ordinary Canadian passport, there is no visa to apply for in advance; the tourist visa is granted on arrival at the UAE port of entry.

· Tourism· 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

Use the right status for non-tourist travel

Canada lists business and student visas separately as required. If you will work, study, reside, or do business beyond tourism, confirm the proper UAE visa or entry permit before travelling.

· Business visa may be required· No work

/07

Exit before expiry

Leave the UAE before your authorized stay ends. UAE ICP lists a fine of AED 50 per day for overstays after the applicable grace period.

· Avoid overstay· AED 50/day fine

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items

Personalized checklist

Canada -> United Arab Emirates · Visa on arrival (free)

0 / 11 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredCanadian ordinary passport valid 6+ months beyond entry

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredPassport with at least one blank page for the entry stamp

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RecommendedConfirmed return or onward flight ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RecommendedProof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RecommendedEvidence of sufficient funds for your stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance covering the UAE

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RecommendedContact details and itinerary for your trip

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RequiredCorrect visa or permit for business, study, work or residence

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

conditional

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesGovernment of Canada — UAE travel advice, entry and exit requirements (last updated 1 June 2026)UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa exemption list for non-citizens (no publication date visible)UAE Embassy in Washington, DC — Visa requirements for non-US citizens (no publication date visible)

Application link included: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa exemption list for non-citizens (no publication date visible)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist visa on arrivalAED 0Free for Canadian ordinary passport holders

Business or student visaVariesCanada lists these visa categories separately as required; confirm with UAE authorities before travel

Overstay fineAED 50 per dayICP lists AED 50 per day after the applicable grace period

Total estimateAED 0 — AED 0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Tourist visa on arrival at port of entry

Instant (minutes at immigration)

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

Business, student, work or residence route

Before travel

Use the appropriate UAE visa or entry permit if your purpose is not ordinary tourism.

/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, study, work or residence

Canada lists business and student visas separately as required, and work/residence require the correct UAE status.

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

2026-06-20

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-20

Canada to United Arab Emirates route rechecked by Codex

Re-verified against Government of Canada, UAE MoFA, UAE Embassy, Emirates, GDRFA and ICP sources; added checked-date, replaced the non-official Fragomen source, clarified that the free 90/180 visa on arrival is for tourism, and removed unsupported extension-fee wording.

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