The UAE has rolled out a string of visa updates through 2025 and 2026.
This guide tracks the latest rule changes for expats and travellers, starting with the most recent.
2026 UAE Visa Rules: At-a-Glance Tracker
| Update | Effective | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Re-entry amnesty for stranded residents | 28 Feb – 31 Mar 2026 | Temporary (ended) |
| Four new visit visa categories + sponsor income rules | 29 Sept 2025 | Active |
| In-country status change to employment residency | 2025 | Active |
| Golden Visa: new eligible profiles added | 2025-2026 (rolling) | Active |
| Blue Residency 180-day entry permit | 13 May 2025 | Active |
| Visa on Arrival expanded for Indian nationals | 13 Feb 2025 | Active |
| GCC Grand Tours unified tourist visa | Late 2026 (pilot) | Confirmed, not launched |
Re-entry Amnesty for Stranded Residents
In March 2026, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) opened a short amnesty for residents stranded abroad after regional disruptions.
Residents whose visas expired on or after 28 February 2026 could re-enter without a new entry permit and without absence fines.
Who it affected: UAE expats whose residence visas lapsed during the amnesty window.
Outside this window, the standard 180-day rule still applies. Stay outside the UAE for 180 consecutive days and your standard residence visa is auto-cancelled. Golden, Blue, and Green visa holders are exempt.
Visit Visa Overhaul: New Categories and Sponsor Rules
On 29 September 2025, the ICP introduced four new visit visa categories and revised sponsor income thresholds for friend and family visits.
Four New Visit Visa Purposes
The new visa types target tech specialists, leisure tourists, event attendees, and cruise passengers arriving into Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates.
- AI Specialist Visa: single or multiple visits with a host letter from a UAE technology-focused establishment.
- Entertainment Visa: short-stay visa for foreign visitors travelling for leisure or entertainment.
- Events Visa: for festivals, exhibitions, conferences, and cultural or sports events sponsored by the host organiser.
- Cruise and Leisure Tourism Visa: multiple-entry visa for tourists arriving by cruise ship or leisure boat through licensed operators.
Updated Sponsor Income Thresholds
If you are a UAE resident sponsoring family or friends, your monthly income must now meet new minimums.
| Visitor Relationship | Sponsor’s Minimum Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| First-degree relative | AED 4,000 |
| Second or third-degree relative | AED 8,000 |
| Friend | AED 15,000 |
Apply through: GDRFA Dubai for Dubai residents, ICP smart services for other emirates.
In-country Status Change to Employment Residency
Visit and job-seeker visa holders can now switch to employment residency without leaving the UAE.
Approved applicants get a 60-day employment entry permit to complete medicals, biometrics, Emirates ID, and final stamping.
Who it helps: expats already in the country who land a job offer and want to skip the costly exit-and-return cycle. Apply through: ICP or GDRFA, depending on the new sponsor’s emirate.
Golden Visa: Expanded Eligibility
The 10-year Golden Residency framework is unchanged, but new profiles have been added on a rolling basis through 2025 and 2026.
Newly eligible groups include:
- Nurses with 15 or more years at Dubai Health
- Educators across schools, universities, and early-childhood roles
- Content creators and influencers via Dubai’s Creators HQ programme
- E-sports professionals, gaming developers, and maritime business leaders
- Humanitarian and Waqf donors contributing to approved causes
- Green-economy specialists in renewable energy, carbon markets, and sustainability
Digital Nomad Visa holders may also be eligible to apply for a Golden Visa if they meet the standard professional salary threshold (currently a basic monthly salary of at least AED 30,000) or qualify under another Golden Visa category. Applicants should confirm current eligibility directly with ICP or GDRFA before applying.
Apply through: the ICP smart services portal or via the relevant nominating body.
Blue Residency: 180-Day Entry Permit
Since May 2025, eligible Blue Residency applicants outside the UAE can use a 180-day multiple-entry permit to enter and finish the residency process.
The Blue Visa is a 10-year permit for environmental contributors, climate researchers, and sustainability award winners. Applications go through the ICP portal or a UAE-recognised nomination.
Visa on Arrival for Indian Nationals
Indian passport holders qualify for a 14-day visa on arrival at any UAE port if they hold either of the following:
- A valid visa or residence permit (Green Card) from the United States, the United Kingdom, or any EU country
- A valid residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, or Singapore
The visa is issued at the airport with no advance application needed for flights to Dubai or any other UAE entry point. It can be extended once.
GCC Grand Tours Unified Tourist Visa
The proposed GCC Grand Tours visa would let a single tourist visa cover all six Gulf Cooperation Council states: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman.
In January 2026, GCC ministers confirmed the visa will roll out in late 2026, beginning with a UAE-Bahrain pilot corridor in Q4 2026 before expanding to all six Gulf states. Final pricing, stay durations, and eligibility criteria have not yet been published. Treat any third-party “apply now” links with caution until ICP or GDRFA publish official guidance.
Who it would help: tourists planning multi-country GCC trips and UAE expats hosting family across multiple Gulf cities.
ICP or GDRFA? Where to Apply
Filing through the wrong authority is one of the most common reasons UAE visa applications get rejected.
- ICP smart services: federal services and visas for any emirate other than Dubai, including Golden, Blue, and Green Residency.
- GDRFA Dubai: entry permits, visit visas, and residency files issued in Dubai.
If you live in Dubai but plan to relocate to another emirate (or vice versa), confirm which authority owns your file before paying fees. Compare hotels in Dubai or hotels in Abu Dhabi on Wego if you need a place to stay during paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most recent UAE visa change?
The biggest active change is the 29 September 2025 ICP decision adding four new visit visa categories (AI, Entertainment, Events, Cruise) and revising sponsor income thresholds for friend and family visits.
Is the March 2026 UAE re-entry amnesty still open?
No. The amnesty for residents whose visas expired on or after 28 February 2026 closed on 31 March 2026. The standard re-entry permit process now applies again.
Do I apply through ICP or GDRFA?
Use GDRFA Dubai if your residency or visa file is issued in Dubai. Use ICP smart services for all other emirates and federal services such as the Golden, Blue, and Green visas.
Can Indian nationals still get UAE visa on arrival?
Yes. Indian passport holders qualify for a 14-day visa on arrival if they hold a valid visa or residence permit from the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, or Singapore.
Is the GCC Grand Tours unified visa available now?
Not yet. The unified tourist visa for all six GCC states is confirmed for late 2026, starting with a UAE-Bahrain pilot in Q4 2026. Final pricing, stay durations, and eligibility have not been published. Watch the official ICP and GDRFA channels for updates.
Sources
- ICP: Four New Visit Visa Categories and Updated Visa Conditions
- ICP: Golden Residency
- ICP: Blue Residency
- ICP: Green Residency
- ICP Smart Services Portal
- GDRFA Dubai Services
- UAE Government Portal: Visa Requirements
- UAE Government Portal: Residence Visa Provisions
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
