Dubai and UAE Visa for US Green Card Holders in 2026: Who Needs One, Who Gets Visa on Arrival, and What It Costs

A US Green Card does not by itself decide whether you need a Dubai visa — the passport you travel on does. Some passport holders already qualify for UAE visa-free entry or visa on arrival, while others need a UAE tourist visa before departure.

There are also special residence-linked entry routes. Indian passport holders with a valid US Green Card can qualify for a 14-day UAE visitor visa route, while nationals of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa may qualify for a 14-day or 60-day visa-on-arrival route when they hold an eligible foreign residence permit. This guide explains Dubai visa eligibility for US Green Card holders in 2026, the documents you need, visa fees, processing times and how to apply online from the United States.

Do US Green Card Holders Need a Dubai Visa? It Depends on Your Passport

The UAE applies entry rules mainly according to the passport you use for travel. A US Green Card proves permanent residence in the United States, but it does not give you the same entry conditions as a US passport.

• You travel on a US passport: this page is not the main guide for your case. See our Dubai visa guide for US citizens.
• Your passport already qualifies for UAE visa-free entry or a standard visa on arrival: use the entry route available to that nationality rather than buying a tourist visa unnecessarily.
• You travel on an Indian passport and hold a valid US Green Card: you may qualify for the special 14-day visitor route explained below.
• You hold an Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, Filipino, Kenyan or South African passport: you may qualify for the 14-day or 60-day arrival route if you also hold a qualifying residence permit issued by the United States or another accepted country.
• You travel on another passport that requires advance approval: apply for a UAE tourist e-visa before departure. Your Green Card can support the application, but it does not replace the UAE visa.

Visa on Arrival for Green Card Holders: India and the June 2026 Rule

Indian Passport Holders With a US Green Card

GDRFA Dubai provides a specific visitor service for Indian citizens holding an ordinary passport together with a valid US permanent resident card, commonly known as a Green Card. The permitted stay is 14 days and it can be extended once for a similar period.

• Indian ordinary passport required.
• Passport validity must normally be at least six months.
• US Green Card validity must normally be at least six months.
• The traveller must not have an immigration restriction preventing UAE entry.
• A recent personal photograph may be required for the service.
• GDRFA currently displays a service fee of AED 253.

The related GDRFA extension service allows another 14 days. Current published charges include an AED 250 extension fee, VAT and applicable knowledge and innovation charges. Confirm the final payable amount on the live GDRFA service before payment.

Check the official GDRFA Indian visa service

Six Additional Nationalities Added on 25 June 2026

The UAE expanded this residence-linked entry framework on 25 June 2026. Ordinary passport holders from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa, including qualifying accompanying family members, can obtain a 14-day or 60-day visa on arrival when they hold an accepted foreign residence permit.

Accepted residence-permit countries include the United States, an EU member state, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

• 14-day visa: AED 100, extendable once while inside the UAE.
• 60-day visa: AED 250, issued for one stay and not extendable.
• Overstay: AED 50 per day after the permitted stay ends.

The official announcement describes the US document as a valid residence permit issued by the United States. If you plan to rely on a US permanent-residence document at travel time, confirm that the document meets the current airline and UAE immigration requirements before departure.

Read the official UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement

Which Dubai Visa Route Applies to You?

Types of Dubai Visas Available for US Green Card Holders

Dubai Tourist Visa

• Valid for 30 or 60 days, with extension options depending on the visa and current immigration rules.
• Suitable for holidays, leisure travel and visiting family or friends.

Dubai Business Visa

• Can be used for eligible business meetings, conferences and commercial visits.
• Validity depends on the specific business or visit route selected.

Dubai Transit Visa

• Available in 48-hour and 96-hour options for qualifying transit passengers.
• Suitable for travellers with an onward journey who need to enter the UAE during a stopover.

Dubai Visa Requirements for US Green Card Holders

General Documents Required

• Valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity.
• Recent passport-sized colour photograph.
• Confirmed return or onward flight ticket.
• Hotel booking or UAE accommodation details where requested.
• Proof of sufficient funds where requested by the sponsor or processing channel.
• Medical insurance valid in the UAE for tourist routes where required.

Official tourist-visa requirements can differ from additional checks made by an airline, hotel, sponsor or travel agency. For Dubai tourist visas, GDRFA's published core requirements include a passport copy, personal photograph, onward or return ticket and UAE-valid medical insurance.

Additional Documents for Green Card Holders

• Clear front and back copy of your valid US Green Card.
• Passport bio page matching the passport you will use for travel.
• Recent colour photograph on a clear or white background.
• Return or onward ticket.
• Hotel booking or host address where required.
• For certain nationalities, including Iraq, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, a national identity card may also be requested.
• Children require their own passport and visa application where an advance visa is required. A parent's Green Card does not automatically cover a child.

How to Apply for a Dubai Visa Online in 2026

Step-by-Step Online Application Process

1. Start your application at our Dubai visa application page.
2. Select your passport nationality and current country of residence.
3. Choose the correct visa type and stay duration.
4. Complete the online application form carefully.
5. Upload your passport, photograph, Green Card and other requested documents.
6. Review the information before payment.
7. Pay the applicable visa and service fee securely online.
8. Track the application while it is being processed.
9. Receive the approved UAE e-visa by email once immigration approves the application.

Who Can Arrange a UAE Tourist Visa?

UAE embassies and consulates do not normally issue tourist visas. Travellers who need a pre-arranged tourist visa generally use an eligible UAE-based airline, licensed hotel, travel agency or another authorised visa-processing channel.

Dubai E Visa Online provides visa-application assistance and document support for eligible travellers who need an advance UAE visa.

Dubai Visa Fees and Processing Time in 2026

Commercial visa prices can change according to nationality, processing speed, sponsor route and service inclusions. Check the live visa page before payment rather than relying on an old article price.

Important: the visa-on-arrival charges above are government-route fees and are not Dubai E Visa Online tourist-visa service prices.

Dubai Visa Extension for Green Card Holders

If you entered on a standard 30-day or 60-day tourist visa, check the extension route before the permitted stay expires. Whether an inside-country extension is available depends on the visa type, sponsor and current immigration rules.

Overstaying beyond the permitted period can lead to an AED 50 daily overstay fine under current UAE rules.

Indian passport holders using the qualifying Green Card route can extend the initial 14-day stay once for another similar period under the GDRFA service.

For the six nationalities added in June 2026, the 14-day visa may be extended once, while the 60-day visa is issued for a single stay and is not extendable.

Tips for a Successful Dubai Visa Application

• Apply well before your departure date.
• Make sure the passport has at least six months of validity.
• Upload clear, readable passport and Green Card copies.
• Make sure the name, passport number and date of birth match exactly.
• Use the same email address throughout the application so you do not miss updates.
• Do not assume a Green Card automatically makes every nationality eligible for visa on arrival.
• Do not book non-refundable travel until you understand the correct entry route for your passport.

Applying From the USA: Timing and Visa Delivery

Apply early enough to allow time for an additional-document request or immigration review. Some Dubai E Visa Online products currently advertise regular processing in approximately 24–72 hours and express handling in 4–24 hours, but the exact time varies by visa type and applicant.

After approval, the UAE e-visa is normally delivered electronically. Keep the PDF on your phone and carry a printed copy for airline check-in and arrival formalities.

A valid UAE tourist visa is not limited to sightseeing in Dubai. Once legally admitted to the UAE, you may generally travel between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates during your permitted stay, subject to the conditions printed on the visa.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a Dubai Visa

• Submitting an expired passport or unclear documents.
• Providing incorrect personal details.
• Waiting until the last minute to apply.

Why Apply Through Dubai E Visa Online?

Many travellers experience delays when application information is incomplete or supporting documents are unclear. Dubai E Visa Online provides application assistance designed to make the submission process easier.

• Secure online application process.
• Application updates during processing.
• Document-checking support before submission.
• Electronic visa delivery after approval.

Visa approval is always subject to UAE immigration review. No private travel company can guarantee visa approval or admission to the UAE.

Apply for Your Dubai Visa as a Green Card Holder

If your passport does not qualify for visa-free entry, a normal visa-on-arrival route or one of the special residence-linked routes explained above, arrange your UAE visa before departure.

Prepare your passport, recent photograph, Green Card and other requested travel documents, choose the correct stay and entry type, and complete the application online.

Dubai E Visa Online is a private visa and travel assistance provider. Visa approval, permitted stay and final UAE entry remain subject to the relevant UAE immigration authority and border-control requirements.