The UAE has introduced several changes to its visa and residency rules in 2026. The new regulations affect tourists, property investors, medical travellers and visitors from certain countries. Here’s a simple guide to the key changes.

  1. More Nationalities Can Get Visa on Arrival

The UAE has expanded its visa-on-arrival scheme. Earlier, this facility was available only to eligible Indian passport holders. It has now been extended to citizens of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa.

The list of countries whose residency permits qualify applicants has also been expanded. Besides the US, UK and European Union, residents of Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Canada can now also apply under the scheme.

  1. Dubai Tourist Visa Can Be Approved in 48 Hours

Visitors travelling to Dubai can now receive approval for a single-entry tourist visa within 48 hours, provided they apply through authorised tourism offices. The visa is available for stays ranging from 30 to 60 days.

  1. Property Visa Rules Have Changed

Dubai has revised the rules for its two-year residency visa for property owners.

The earlier requirement that a single property must be worth at least Dh750,000 has been removed for sole owners. However, if a property is jointly owned, each owner’s share must be worth at least Dh400,000 to qualify for the residency visa.

  1. Temporary Relief for Visitors Who Overstayed

The UAE has given a 30-day grace period to visitors who were unable to leave the country because of regional flight disruptions and airspace closures.

These visitors must either regularise their visa status or leave the UAE before July 9, 2026, after which normal overstay rules will apply.

  1. Dubai to Introduce a Smart Medical Visa

Dubai is developing a smart medical visa to make travel easier for people visiting the emirate for medical treatment.

The new system will connect visa processing, residency services and healthcare, allowing patients to enjoy a smoother experience from the time they apply for a visa until they complete their treatment and follow-up care.

  1. Visa Issuance Suspended for Three Countries

As a precaution against the spread of the Ebola virus, the UAE has temporarily stopped issuing new visas to nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.

The suspension came into effect on June 6, 2026, and may continue depending on the public health situation.