UAE narrows visa-on-arrival eligibility for Filipino passport holders

Valid visas from Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, and New Zealand no longer qualify, but US, UK, and EU document holders retain full access

The UAE has tightened the qualifying criteria for its visa-on-arrival program for Filipino passport holders, splitting the approved countries into two tiers based on which documents are accepted. Holders of regular visas from Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, and New Zealand are no longer eligible; only permanent residency permits from those six countries now qualify. Filipino travelers holding valid visas or residence permits from the United States, the United Kingdom, or any of the 27 EU member states keep their access under both document types. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) published the updated guidance after the UAE Embassy in Manila sent a note verbale clarifying the revised rules, according to the DFA advisory.

When the visa-on-arrival program launched on June 25, 2026, both valid visas and residence permits from all nine approved country groups were accepted. The update creates a two-tier structure:

The change surfaced after Filipino travelers reported being turned away at check-in counters by staff at Etihad, Emirates, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific, who told them that regular visa holders from the six restricted countries were no longer eligible for entry on arrival. DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel confirmed that the DFA's Office of the Middle East and African Affairs would relay the clarification to the two UAE-based carriers.

Filipinos who no longer meet the on-arrival criteria must arrange their UAE visa before departure. A UAE-based sponsor can file the application through the official app of the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Travelers in the Filipino community report that approval through this channel typically takes 24 to 48 hours. To avoid being denied boarding, some travelers with valid US, Schengen, Cyprus, Ireland, or UK visas have also taken to having their UAE sponsors apply online as a precaution regardless of eligibility.

Do Filipino citizens need a visa for the UAE?

Yes. Filipino passport holders cannot enter the UAE without a visa under any circumstances. The visa-on-arrival program that took effect on June 25, 2026, created a faster route for Filipinos who hold qualifying foreign residency or visa documents, but it did not remove the visa requirement. Travelers who do not hold a qualifying document from one of the approved countries must obtain a standard UAE tourist visa before departure, arranged through a licensed travel agent, an airline, or a UAE-based sponsor via the ICP Smart Services portal.

How much does a UAE visa-on-arrival cost for Filipinos?

Eligible travelers choose between two options at the immigration counter or through the ICP Smart Services website. The 14-day visa costs AED 100 ($27) and can be extended once for an additional 14 days at a cost of AED 250 ($68). The 60-day visa costs AED 250 ($68) and cannot be extended under any circumstances.

Applications submitted through the ICP Smart Services portal instead of at the airport carry an additional processing fee of AED 150 ($41) per request. All qualifying documents, including the Philippine passport and the foreign visa or residence permit, must have at least six months of validity from the date of application. The DFA noted that visa issuance and entry into the UAE remain subject to the assessment and approval of UAE immigration authorities at the port of entry.

Does this change affect other nationalities?

The booking portals operated by Etihad and Emirates confirm that the same residency-only rule for the six restricted countries applies to nationals of Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Kenya as well, not just Filipinos. Indian passport holders operate under a different structure altogether: only valid EU, UK, or US visas (not residency from the broader nine-country list) qualify for visa on arrival at UAE airports.