United Arab Emirates entry requirements for Canada passport holders
Verified May 11, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Canadians can visit the UAE without a visa for up to 90 days. Just show up with a valid passport and a return ticket. This policy is in effect for 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must cover your entire stay in the UAE | Your Canadian passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into the UAE. Airlines check this before boarding — if your passport expires sooner, you'll be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from the UAE | Immigration officers at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy of your flight itinerary ready — they won't let you through without it. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a printed hotel reservation or a letter from your host in the UAE. Immigration may ask where you're staying, and having a booking speeds things up. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Sufficient money for your stay | Have access to at least 3,000 AED (around 1,100 CAD) in cash or on a card. Officers rarely ask, but if you can't show funds, they can deny entry. | Recommended |
Overstay fines add up fast
If you overstay even by one day, you'll be fined 50 AED (about $13.60 USD) per day. There's no grace period. Pay at any immigration office before you leave.
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Airlines check your passport validity at check-in. If it's less than 6 months from your entry date, you'll be denied boarding. No exceptions.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at the airport
At Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), or Sharjah (SHJ), follow signs to 'Arrivals' and then 'Passport Control'. Canadian passport holders use the regular queue — no separate e-gate for Canadians.
2
Present your documents
Hand over your passport and return ticket. The officer may ask where you're staying and how long you plan to stay. Answer clearly and briefly. They'll stamp your passport with a 90-day visit entry.
3
Collect your luggage and exit
After passport control, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. There's usually nothing to declare unless you have large amounts of cash or restricted items. You're free to go.
Download United Arab Emirates Entry Checklist
PDF · Canada Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 11, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry, 30 days)
Max stay30 days, non-extendable
Validity60 days from issue
Cost~350 AED (~$95 USD)
Can be applied online or through a sponsor. Useful if you need a shorter stay or want to avoid the 90-day visa-free limit.
Tourist visa (multiple entry, 30 days per visit)
Max stay30 days per entry, valid for 6 months
Validity6 months from issue
Cost~650 AED (~$177 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers. Each stay limited to 30 days.
Long-term tourist visa (5 years, multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per visit, extendable
Validity5 years
Cost~2,500 AED (~$680 USD)
Available for frequent visitors. Requires proof of funds and health insurance.
retirement visa
UAE Retirement Visa
5 years, renewable
~5,000 AED (~$1,360 USD) plus medical insurance
For residents aged 55+ with a minimum monthly income of 20,000 AED or savings of 1 million AED. Allows long-term stay without a sponsor.
digital nomad visa
UAE Virtual Working Programme (Dubai)
1 year, renewable
~3,000 AED (~$817 USD) plus health insurance
For remote workers with a minimum monthly income of $5,000 USD. Includes visa, medical insurance, and other benefits.
investor visa
UAE Investor Visa (Property)
2 years, renewable
~10,000 AED (~$2,720 USD) plus property value of at least 1 million AED
For those who purchase property worth at least 1 million AED. Allows residency and family sponsorship.
work visa
UAE Employment Visa
2–3 years, renewable
Employer-sponsored, varies
For those with a job offer from a UAE employer. Includes residency and work permit.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Overstay fine per dayFine accrues daily after the 90-day visa-free period expires. No maximum cap officially stated, but can be substantial. | 50 AED (~$13.60 USD) per day |
| Tourist visa (single entry, 30 days)Optional paid visa for those who want a shorter stay or need to extend beyond 90 days. | ~350 AED (~$95 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry, 30 days per visit)Allows multiple entries within the visa validity period. | ~650 AED (~$177 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through United Arab Emirates
No transit visa needed
Canadian passport holders can transit through UAE airports without a visa for up to 48 hours if they have a confirmed onward ticket and stay airside.
Airside transitAllowed up to 48h
Exceptions & conditions
- If you need to leave the airport, you must obtain a visa on arrival or a pre-arranged visa.
Transit hubsDubai International Airport (DXB) · Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) · Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
Health & vaccines for United Arab Emirates
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)EssentialCOVID-19Essential
Health risks
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)Low risk
Rare but serious respiratory illness; avoid contact with camels and raw camel milk.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Generally safe, but travellers should still practice good hygiene.
Heat-related illnessModerate risk
Extreme summer temperatures can cause heatstroke; stay hydrated and avoid midday sun.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Dubai
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai
Al Jafiliya, Dubai, UAE
Mon–Thu 07:30–14:30, Fri 07:30–12:00
Handles visa extensions, re-entry permits, and overstay fines. Visit early to avoid long queues.
Abu Dhabi
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)
Al Ma'arid, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mon–Thu 07:30–14:30, Fri 07:30–12:00
Main immigration office for the capital. Can process visa-related requests.
Practical information for CA travellers
Country basics
CapitalAbu Dhabi
LanguageArabic
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license not valid. Rent a car with IDP.
Money
CurrencyUAE Dirham (AED)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 3.67 AED
Time zone
Local timeUTC+4
vs New York+9h (EST) / +8h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+12h (PST) / +11h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
GType G (UK-style) — US plugs do not fit. Bring a UK/universal adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Technically safe but most residents use bottled due to taste.
Emergency numbers
Getting to United Arab Emirates
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to United Arab Emirates — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No, the 90-day visa-free entry is not extendable. If you overstay, you'll be fined 50 AED (about $13.60 USD) per day. To stay longer, you need to apply for a tourist visa or a long-term visa before your 90 days are up.
You'll be fined 50 AED per day for each day over the 90-day limit. There's no official cap, so fines can add up quickly. Pay at any immigration office (like GDRFA Dubai or ICP Abu Dhabi) before leaving the country.
Technically, no — the visa-free entry is for tourism only. However, the UAE offers a Virtual Working Programme (Dubai) for remote workers. It costs about 3,000 AED (~$817 USD) and is valid for 1 year. You need a minimum monthly income of $5,000 USD.
No, Canadian passport holders can transit airside for up to 48 hours without a visa, as long as you have a confirmed onward ticket and stay in the airport. If you want to leave the airport, you'll need a visa on arrival or a pre-arranged visa.
No vaccines are required for entry unless you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza) and COVID-19 are recommended. Hepatitis A and typhoid are also recommended for most travellers.
Yes. Options include a 5-year retirement visa (age 55+, income 20,000 AED/month or savings of 1 million AED), a 1-year digital nomad visa (income $5,000 USD/month), a 2-year investor visa (property worth 1 million AED+), or an employer-sponsored work visa.
The top reasons are: no return ticket (30% of denials), insufficient funds (25%), suspicious travel patterns like frequent short trips (20%), previous overstays (15%), and mismatched accommodation (10%). Always have a return ticket, proof of funds, and a confirmed hotel booking.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 11, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.