Related: Why jobseekers will benefit the most from UAE's new visa rules
The UAE will allow visitors and holidaymakers to enter and stay for 60 days as standard from September.
The decision to double the time tourists can stay is one of a series of visa changes approved by the Cabinet.
It will benefit people looking for longer breaks and those who are considering a permanent move.
While there are separate visas available for jobseekers — called a job exploration entry visa — a 60-day tourist visa would allow people an idea of what the lifestyle and job market have to offer.
“Major improvements include facilitating the entry requirements for all visa types, offering flexible visa durations that meet the needs of the visitors and the purpose of the visit,” the UAE Government Media Office said on Monday.
“In addition, all entry visas are available for single or multiple entry, can be renewed for similar periods and are valid for 60 days from their issuance date.”
All entry visas are available for single or multiple entry and can be renewed for similar periods and are valid for 60 days from their issuance date
UAE Government Media Office
Until now, a 30-day visit visa on arrival was standard for many nationalities including British, Americans and Australians.
After 30 days, there was a nine-day grace period before fines for overstaying were applied. This amounted to a costly Dh200 on the first day and Dh100 for each consecutive day.
In contrast, visitors from countries that do not have a visa-on-arrival arrangement with the UAE, such as India and Pakistan, must arrange a paid-for visa in advance through a travel agency.
Meanwhile, visitors from Schengen zone countries in Europe have different arrangements, with 90 days allowed in any 180-day period.
The announcement on Monday made no reference to any changes to these arrangements.
Tourism numbers have steadily grown since the coronavirus pandemic slump when aircraft worldwide were grounded and lockdowns became the norm.
Dubai International Airport, the busiest in the world for international traffic, recorded 29.1 million passengers through its terminals in 2021.
This was above the 28 million target the airport set but far below the 86.4 million passengers who used it in 2019.
Dubai airport chiefs predict close to 60 million travellers will use the airport this year as traffic and Dubai's tourism industry continue to recover.
Spring boomtime for Dubai tourism: in pictures
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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