Visa requirement
United Arab Emirates visa for American citizens
Official-source answer with stay limit, cost, required documents and last verification date.
Verified answer
American citizens can get a visa on arrival in United Arab Emirates for up to 90 days in any 180.
Last verified: (today)
What this means: A visa on arrival is a real visa issued at the border after you land — you still need it, and approval is not guaranteed before you travel.
Confidence: Medium Likely current — confirm details with the official source.
- Max stay
- 90 days / 180
- Official cost
- Free
- Before departure
- Obtain on arrival
- Official route
- Open source (opens in a new tab)
Shareable verdict: American citizens can get a visa on arrival in United Arab Emirates for up to 90 days in any 180. Checked 24 Jun 2026.
Open SVG cardCost note
No pre-arranged tourist visa fee is normally due for visa-on-arrival / visa-not-required passports.
Passport and transit notes
- Passport validity
- passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival; UAE visa guidance requires the passport to be valid for at least 6 months from the expected arrival date.
- Validity source (opens in a new tab) Validity guide
- Transit
- airside transit: not required; landside transit: not required; Visa-on-arrival / visa-not-required travellers normally do not need a pre-arranged UAE transit visa. Entering the UAE is still subject to immigration checks and passport validity.
- Transit source (opens in a new tab) Transit guide
What you need
- American passport valid for at least 6 months from expected arrival
- confirmed return or onward ticket
- proof of accommodation or host details may be requested
Why this verdict
U.S. citizens are not required to apply for a visa before travelling to the UAE. The UAE Embassy says a visa is issued upon entry for a maximum stay of 90 days within 180 days.
Frequently asked questions
- Do American citizens need a visa for United Arab Emirates?
- American citizens can get a visa on arrival in United Arab Emirates for up to 90 days in any 180. (Visa on arrival.) Verified 24 Jun 2026 against the official source.
- How long can American passport holders stay in United Arab Emirates?
- Up to 90 days within any 180.
- How much does the United Arab Emirates entry cost for American citizens?
- It is free. This page tracks the official government fee only, not agent markup.