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🇨🇳China

🇦🇪United Arab EmiratesCN-AE

China to United Arab Emirates visa requirements

Q: Can I work or do business?

No. Visa-free entry is for tourism, family visits, or short business meetings. Paid work or business operations require a UAE work or investor visa.

Q: Do I need to apply for anything in advance?

No. There is no advance application, e-visa, or fee for ordinary Chinese passport holders. Just present the passport at the airport.

Q: What happens if I overstay?

Overstay fines accrue daily (around AED 50 per day) and must be paid before exit. Repeat overstays can lead to entry bans.

Q: Are the rules the same for all UAE emirates?

Yes. The UAE has one federal immigration system. Entry through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or any other emirate is equivalent.

No visa needed — Chinese ordinary passports get up to 90 days visa-free in the UAE within a 180-day period. Chinese ordinary passport holders enter the UAE visa-free for up to 90 days total within the 180-day period counted from first entry. The UAE adjusted the China passport stay from 30 days to 90 days in April 2025. Passport must be valid 6+ months from entry, and a return or onward ticket plus accommodation evidence may be checked at the airport.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-19

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.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19

Visa type

Visa-free entry / free 90-day visit stamp

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days total within the 180-day period counted from first entry

per entry

Entries

Multiple

from issue date

Visa fee

Free

consular fee only

Processing time

On arrival

standard track

Validity

180-day period counted from first entry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Check passport validity

Your Chinese passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.

· 6 months· at port of entry

/02

Book travel

Hold a confirmed return or onward ticket. Airlines verify this at check-in.

· return ticket· airline check

/03

Prepare arrival documents

Have accommodation evidence (hotel or host details) and basic funds proof ready in case immigration asks.

· hotel booking· funds proof

/04

Clear immigration

Present your passport at any UAE airport (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, etc.). The free multiple-entry 90-day visit permission is issued on arrival.

· airport· free stamp

/05

Track the 90/180 period

Total days inside the UAE must stay within 90 days during the 180-day period counted from first entry.

· 90/180 tracking

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

9 items

Personalized checklist

China -> United Arab Emirates · Visa-free entry / free 90-day visit stamp

0 / 9 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredChinese passport

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

Valid at least 6 months from entry date

RequiredReturn or onward flight

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

Confirmed booking

RequiredAccommodation evidence

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Hotel booking or host details

RequiredFunds evidence

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

Sufficient for the planned stay

RecommendedHealth/travel insurance

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

Recommended, not mandatory for visa-free entry

OptionalDay-by-day plan

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

Optional but useful at immigration

ConditionalOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.

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 sourcesChinese Embassy in the UAE — visa-free stay adjustment (2025-04-14)Chinese Embassy in the UAE — entry/exit guide (2025-08-18)China Consular Service — UAE entry and residence

Application link included: Chinese Embassy in the UAE — visa-free stay adjustment (2025-04-14)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Visa-free entryFreeNo visa fee, no entry fee

Tourism Dirham (hotel)AED 7-20 per nightCharged at the hotel, not at entry

Overstay fineAED 50 per dayIf you exceed the 90-day total within the 180-day period

Total estimateFree — Freeincl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Immigration on arrival

Minutes

Standard airport entry; the free 90-day visit permission is issued at passport control.

E-gate registration

Minutes

Eligible Chinese passport holders can register for e-gates after first entry.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Insufficient passport validity

Less than 6 months validity will trigger refusal at check-in or arrival.

Medium

/02

No return or onward ticket

Airlines may deny boarding if you cannot show planned departure.

Medium

/03

Prior overstay or violations

Past UAE overstays or fines can block re-entry until resolved.

Medium

/04

Adverse immigration history

Past UAE deportation or breaches anywhere weigh against entry.

Low

/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

2026-06-19

Reviewed by Claude Code

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

2026-06-19

Codex re-verified CN-AE

Codex checked/re-verified this pair on 2026-06-19 against Chinese embassy, China Consular Service, and UAE MoFA sources; clarified the 90-day total applies within the 180-day period counted from first entry.

2026-05-26

China to UAE route verified

Confirmed visa-free 90/180 stay under the bilateral agreement effective April 2025, plus current entry requirements.

2025-04-01 · major

Visa-free extended to 90 days

Bilateral agreement extended Chinese ordinary passport stay from 30 to 90 days within any 180-day period.

/09 — The questions