Entry requirements Dubai: Dubai Airport

The entry requirements for Dubai must be observed before the start of the trip if you are planning a trip to the largest city in the UAE. Anyone who does not meet the entry requirements will be refused entry by the transport company or at the border of the United Arab Emirates at the latest. Dubai can be reached by air via two airports: Dubai International Airport (DXB), five kilometers from the city center, and Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in the Jebel Ali Village district.

All foreign visitors, including children, are only allowed to enter Dubai with a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of expected departure from the United Arab Emirates.

Citizens of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other nations can obtain a free visa on arrival at the airport for tourist and business travel purposes. This entitles the holder to stay for up to 30 days and can be extended locally for a further 30 days.

The Dubai entry requirements allow visitors entitled to a visa on arrival to go directly to passport control after leaving the aircraft. There, the border officials stamp the free visa in the passport.

• Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Germany, England, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Canada, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, South Korea, USA, Vatican
• Since March 2014 also: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, United States.
• Holders of residence visas for a member state of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (may be subject to a fee)

Visa exemption for GCC countries

Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are allowed to enter without a visa if they have a valid identification document.

If you are planning a trip to Dubai, travel insurance is essential to ensure your safety and financial protection in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Insurance covers not only medical expenses but also lost luggage, trip cancellation due to force majeure, and other important risks. Such insurance gives the traveler peace of mind that they are protected throughout their trip.

Is health insurance mandatory? Health insurance is mandatory to enter Dubai and obtain a long-stay visa. It is also recommended for short-term tourist visas, although it is not officially required. However, the Dubai authorities strongly recommend taking out insurance, as medical care in the Emirates is considered to be among the most expensive in the world.

You can purchase health insurance on our website under the “Insurance” section. This will enable you to take out fully compliant insurance that covers all major medical risks.

Health insurance for entry into Dubai should cover a wide range of medical services, including emergency hospitalization, accident treatment, surgical procedures, and emergency transportation. It is important to remember that medical care in Dubai is expensive and that even a minor accident can result in significant costs.

Permitted goods: What can be imported without restrictions?

The import of goods for personal use to Dubai is subject to UAE customs regulations. Travelers can import clothing, electronics, jewelry, souvenirs and personal items in reasonable quantities without restrictions. Medication for personal use is also allowed, but only in limited quantities and with proof of a doctor's prescription.

UAE customs regulations also allow the duty-free import of certain goods, such as alcohol (up to 4 liters) and tobacco products (up to 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars). If a tourist is planning to bring gifts, they should bear in mind that many items, especially valuable ones, may require declaration. Customs authorities may require receipts to confirm the value of imported goods.

Official regulations also allow the import of certain amounts of cash up to AED 100,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency without the need for declaration. Exceeding this amount requires special permission from the country's financial authorities.

Prohibited goods: What goods cannot be imported into Dubai?

Before exporting goods from Dubai, you should familiarize yourself with your country's regulations regarding the import of certain goods, as some goods allowed in the UAE may be severely restricted or prohibited in other countries.

Dubai strictly regulates the importation of certain goods, and violating these regulations can have serious consequences, including fines and imprisonment. The importation of narcotics of any kind, even in small quantities, is prohibited . Medications containing prohibited substances are also not allowed and require special authorization or a prescription. This list also includes poppy seeds.

The import of firearms, ammunition and explosives is strictly prohibited without a special government permit. The import of objects related to gambling is also prohibited, as is the import of materials that offend the moral standards and laws of the UAE. Particular attention is paid to the protection of cultural and religious heritage, so any material that could be perceived as offensive is also prohibited.

If you are in any doubt about importing certain goods, it is better to check with customs or get an import permit before you travel. This will help you avoid delays and fines at the border.

Goods allowed for export from Dubai

When visiting Dubai, tourists often want to take home a range of souvenirs and goods as gifts or keepsakes. Personal effects and goods for personal use that have been legally obtained are allowed. Popular purchases include gold and jewelry, perfumes, textiles and clothing, electronics, spices and traditional Arabic sweets. These goods can be exported freely in reasonable quantities, as long as they are for personal use or as gifts and not for commercial resale.

When entering Dubai with children, a full set of documents is required, including a passport for each child, even newborns. If the child is included in the parent's passport, this is no longer sufficient: modern requirements demand a separate passport for each minor child. Those traveling with children must also have a visa for each child, if required by nationality.

If the child is traveling without a parent, a notarized travel authorization from the absent parent is required, translated into English or Arabic. It is advisable to bring a copy of the child's birth certificate and proof of the child's parentage, especially if the child's last name is different from that of the accompanying adult, to confirm that the child is legally accompanied.

When entering Dubai with a newborn, it is also important to remember medical documentation, especially if a visa is required. Some consulates may request additional information about the child's health, which should be clarified in advance.

Depending on the nationality of the traveler and the type of visa, financial guarantees may be required for entry into Dubai. For example, nationals of countries with which the UAE has a visa-free arrangement are not required to provide proof of their financial capacity. However, those who apply for a visa in advance, especially a tourist visa, may be required to provide proof of financial solvency. This could be a bank statement or a certificate of employment showing that the traveler has the means to cover their living expenses.

Typically, the minimum amount you must have in your account is not officially disclosed, but it is recommended that you have at least a few thousand dollars so that there is no doubt about the intentions of the trip. This may also include an estimate of accommodation, food and transportation costs, depending on the duration of the visit. Having a credit card can also be considered proof of financial stability.

In some cases, such as students or children traveling with their parents, financial guarantees can be provided by the sponsor. Additional documents such as a letter from the sponsor or proof of their financial solvency are often required for this.

To obtain a tourist visa, booking a hotel in Dubai in advance is an important requirement. The consulate or immigration office may request proof of accommodation that guarantees the traveler has a place to stay for the duration of their visit. In some cases, booking a hotel is a requirement for obtaining a visa.

Upon entry, immigration officers may ask to see proof of the hotel booking or accommodation address, especially if the traveler is not from a visa-free country. If you have already booked a hotel or an apartment, it is better to print or save the hotel's confirmation letter on your cell phone. This will help you pass the check more quickly.

If you plan to stay with relatives or friends, it is important to prepare in advance a confirmation of their willingness to receive you, which may include a copy of the passport of the inviting person and their residence visa. This will help to avoid problems at the border and confirm the purpose of your visit.

The Federal Foreign Office provides country information as well as current travel and safety information for the United Arab Emirates.

Please note that you can change the entry requirements for Dubai and the UAE at short notice and that we cannot guarantee the completeness and correctness of the information provided above. Binding information on the entry requirements for Dubai and the UAE can be obtained from the UAE diplomatic and consular missions.