Traveling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is about to get much smoother for eligible Filipinos.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that starting June 25, 2026, qualified Philippine passport holders will be allowed to secure a visa-on-arrival upon reaching the Gulf country.
According to a DFA advisory issued on June 24, this travel privilege applies to Filipino citizens who possess a valid visa, residence permit, or Green Card from any of the following destinations: the United States, European Union member states, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Canada, or New Zealand.
The updated travel rules offer two distinct visa-on-arrival pathways:
- 14-Day Option: Costs 100 UAE dirhams (AED) and can be renewed once for an additional 14 days for a fee of AED 250.
- 60-Day Option: Costs AED 250 but cannot be extended.
By eliminating the requirement to obtain a UAE entry visa prior to departure, this new policy cuts through bureaucratic red tape, allowing eligible travelers to get authorized directly at the border.
The DFA highlighted that this development underscores the robust and long-standing partnership between the Philippines and the UAE, while offering greater convenience for Filipino vacationers, professionals, and corporate travelers.
The UAE continues to be a premier Middle Eastern hub for the global Filipino workforce and tourists alike, hosting a massive expatriate community.