The UAE visa-on-arrival for Filipinos is now available to eligible Philippine passport holders travelling to the Emirates, making it easier for many visitors to enter the country without applying for a visa in advance.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that the new arrangement took effect on June 25. According to the DFA, the visa-on-arrival privilege was introduced in recognition of the strong bilateral relationship between the Philippines and the UAE.
The move is expected to benefit many Filipino travellers, particularly those who already hold valid visas, residence permits, or permanent residency documents issued by several approved countries.
Who Can Apply for the Visa-on-Arrival?
To qualify, travellers must hold a valid Philippine passport and possess a valid visa, residence permit, or Green Card issued by one of the approved countries.
The eligible countries include the United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Canada, New Zealand, and member states of the European Union.
Travellers who meet these requirements can obtain their visa upon arrival at any UAE airport. They will need to present their Philippine passport together with the qualifying visa, residence permit, or Green Card issued by one of the approved countries.
The new policy provides an additional travel option for Filipinos planning short visits to the UAE for tourism, family visits, or business purposes.
Visa Fees, Validity and Extension Rules
Eligible travellers can choose from two visa-on-arrival options.
The first is a 14-day visa-on-arrival, which costs Dh100. This visa can be extended once for an additional 14 days by paying a further Dh250.
A second option allows travellers to obtain a 60-day visa-on-arrival for Dh250. However, this visa cannot be extended beyond its original validity period.
The UAE is home to one of the largest Filipino communities overseas, with around one million Filipinos living and working across the country. Large Filipino populations can be found in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
With the introduction of this new entry option, eligible Filipino travellers now have a more convenient way to visit the UAE while benefiting from simplified arrival procedures at the country’s airports.
