Visa checks · updated 2026-08-17

United Arab Emirates visa for American citizens

Visa-free
🇺🇸 American passport → 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates: no — entry is visa-free for up to 30 days. You can stay up to 30 days.

How it works

No visa needed — book, pack, go. Carry a passport valid for your whole stay (six months' validity is the safe rule) and be ready to show an onward ticket and accommodation details if asked. For United Arab Emirates, that's 30 days — a comfortable month.

Heads-up: United Arab Emirates commonly asks for proof of onward travel (airline check-in).

Before the airport: run the "Will I board?" checklist for this route →

Beyond United Arab Emirates: the United States passport

The 🇺🇸 United States passport ranks #32 of 199 worldwide, entering 159 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (see the world ranking).

Also visa-free on the United States passport: 🇯🇵 Japan (90 days), 🇹🇭 Thailand (60 days), 🇸🇬 Singaporeall 159 open destinations.

Going the other way? Emirati citizens visiting the United States need a visa arranged in advance.

Never get caught out

Visa rules change with little notice. Get one email when United Arab Emirates changes its entry rules for American passports.

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Capital Abu Dhabi · Currency United Arab Emirates dirham (د.إ) · Dialling +971

Before you travel

Sorting your United Arab Emirates trip on the United States passport:

See the whole picture

Every destination for the United States passport, and everyone who can enter United Arab Emirates.

American passport: all destinations Who can enter United Arab Emirates Plan the trip