United Arab Emirates visa options for United States passport holders
Tourist / short stay
Visa-free · up to 90 days
Enter without a visa, usually for a set number of days.
Visa types & longer-stay routes for United Arab Emirates
Applies to non-UAE / non-GCC nationals. ~80+ nationalities (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan) get a visa on arrival; others need a pre-arranged e-visa or a sponsor.
- Tourist
Tourist / business visa (visa on arrival / e-visa)
Visa on arrival 30 or 90 days; tourist e-visa 60 days, extendable once to ~120 days
- Insurance
- Recommended— travel/health cover advised (not a stated entry condition for short visits)
- Good for
- Short visits, tourism and business meetings
- Requirement
- Passport valid 6+ months; visa-on-arrival eligibility or an approved e-visa
- Work
Work (employment) residence visa
Typically 2 years, renewable
- Insurance
- Required— valid UAE health insurance is mandatory and must be in place before issuance
- Good for
- Foreign nationals with a UAE job offer
- Requirement
- Employment contract + MOHRE work permit; employer-sponsored, plus medical test
- Study
Student residence visa
1 year (some up to 2), renewable for the study period
- Insurance
- Required— health cover for the study period before the visa is processed
- Good for
- International students at a UAE-licensed institution
- Requirement
- Acceptance letter from an accredited institution; university-sponsored
- Most nomadsDigital nomad
Remote work (digital nomad) visa
1-year residence permit, renewable
- Insurance
- Required— valid UAE-covering health insurance is a condition of the visa
- Good for
- Remote professionals employed by or owning a company outside the UAE
- Requirement
- Income of at least US$3,500/month (proven over 6 consecutive months); valid contract or company ownership
- Residence
Golden visa (long-term residence)
5 or 10 years, renewable; self-sponsored (no employer needed)
- Insurance
- Required— health insurance for the holder and all dependents, maintained for the visa's duration
- Good for
- Investors, entrepreneurs, specialised talent and top students
- Requirement
- A qualifying category — e.g. property investment (Dubai rules eased in 2026), AED 2M investment, or recognised talent
- Residence
Green visa (skilled / self-sponsored residence)
5 years, renewable; self-sponsored
- Insurance
- Required— valid UAE health insurance mandatory for all residence visas
- Good for
- Skilled employees, freelancers and smaller investors
- Requirement
- By category — e.g. freelancers need a UAE freelance permit and income above ~AED 360,000/year
- Residence
Retirement residence visa
5 years, renewable while conditions are met
- Insurance
- Required— medical insurance compulsory for all residence-permit applications
- Good for
- Foreign nationals aged 55+
- Requirement
- Age 55+ with property ≥ AED 1M plus savings ≥ AED 1M, or annual income ≥ AED 180,000
Valid UAE health insurance is mandatory nationwide for all residence and work visas since 1 Jan 2025. A reported 2026 rise of the remote-work income floor to US$5,000 (and higher insurance cover) could not be confirmed against an official source — the verifiable figure is US$3,500/month. Last checked: 2026-06 — confirm with ICP/GDRFA (u.ae).
Last verified June 2026
Visa-free isn’t insurance-free
Whatever route you take into United Arab Emirates, your entry stamp never includes health cover. Many longer-stay visas also require proof of insurance before they’re granted. That part is on you — and it’s what we actually do.
United States → United Arab Emirates: frequently asked
- Do United States passport holders need a visa to visit United Arab Emirates?
- Visa-free · up to 90 days. Enter without a visa, usually for a set number of days. Always confirm with the official source before booking.
- Can a United States passport holder live or work long-term in United Arab Emirates?
- Yes, via a long-stay visa. United Arab Emirates has 7 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.
- Do I need travel insurance for United Arab Emirates?
- Entry to United Arab Emirates never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several United Arab Emirates visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.
Last updated
Visa rules can change at short notice and depend on your purpose of travel, length of stay and onward tickets. Always confirm with the destination’s embassy or the IATA Travel Centre before you book. Visa-free entry never includes travel health insurance. That’s still on you.