What is the best time to visit United Arab Emirates?

The best time to visit United Arab Emirates depends on your priorities. Many travellers visit year-round, though spring and autumn typically offer pleasant weather and smaller crowds at popular attractions like Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Check weather patterns for Asia before booking.

What currency does United Arab Emirates use?

United Arab Emirates uses the United Arab Emirates dirham (د.إ). Exchange at banks or airports, and withdraw from ATMs with your debit card. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas.

What food should I try in United Arab Emirates?

Al Harees is one of United Arab Emirates's most iconic dishes. Other must-try foods include Al Machboos and Shawarma. Eat where locals eat for the best experience.

How many countries can visit United Arab Emirates visa-free?

93 countries can enter United Arab Emirates without a visa, typically for up to 90 days. Check the full list and your specific requirements above.

Is United Arab Emirates safe for tourists?

United Arab Emirates is generally safe for tourists with normal precautions. As in any country, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying expensive items, and use registered transport. Check current government travel advisories before your trip.

United Arab Emirates Visa Requirements

Do you need a visa for United Arab Emirates? 93 passports enter visa-free, usually for up to 90 days. Find your passport below.

United Arab Emirates visa requirements

Visa-free

105

eVisa / eTA

United Arab Emirates offers visa-free entry to 93 countries, with most stays allowed for up to 90 days. 105 more can apply for an eVisa online.

Countries that can visit United Arab Emirates visa-free

93 countries can enter without a visa, usually for up to 90 days.

Europe

Asia

Americas

Oceania

Other

AD30d

Armenia90d

Azerbaijan90d

Bahamas90d

Bahrain

Barbados90d

Belarus90d

Belgium90d

Bosnia and Herzegovina90d

Brunei30d

Bulgaria90d

Costa Rica90d

Cyprus90d

Ecuador90d

El Salvador90d

Estonia90d

Fiji90d

Guyana90d

Honduras90d

Hong Kong30d

Israel90d

Kazakhstan30d

Kiribati90d

Kosovo90d

Kuwait

Latvia90d

LI90d

Lithuania90d

Luxembourg90d

Macau30d

Maldives90d

Malta90d

Mauritius30d

MC30d

Mongolia30d

Montenegro90d

North Macedonia90d

NR90d

Paraguay90d

Qatar

Russia90d

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines90d

Serbia90d

Seychelles90d

Slovakia90d

Slovenia90d

SM90d

Solomon Islands90d

Ukraine30d

Uruguay90d

VA30d

eVisa and eTA for United Arab Emirates

105 countries can apply online before travelling. Processing typically takes 1–7 business days.

Asia

Africa

Other

Afghanistan

Algeria

Angola

Antigua and Barbuda

Bangladesh

Belize

Benin

Bhutan

Bolivia

Botswana

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Central African Republic

Chad

Comoros

Cuba

Djibouti

Dominican Republic

DR Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Eswatini

Gabon

Gambia

Ghana

Grenada

Guatemala

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Haiti

Iran

Iraq

Ivory Coast

Jamaica

Kenya

Kyrgyzstan

Laos

Lebanon

Lesotho

Liberia

Libya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mali

Mauritania

Micronesia

Mozambique

Myanmar

Namibia

Nicaragua

Niger

Nigeria

North Korea

Pakistan

Palestine

Panama

Papua New Guinea

Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

Saint Lucia

Samoa

São Tomé and Príncipe

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Somalia

South Sudan

Sudan

Suriname

Syria

Taiwan

Tajikistan

Timor-Leste

Togo

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Tunisia

Turkmenistan

Uganda

Vanuatu

Venezuela

Yemen

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Capital

Abu Dhabi

Language

Arabic

Currency

United Arab Emirates dirham (د.إ)

Population

11.3M

Timezone

UTC+04:00

Visa-free access

93 countries

Travelling to United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), also known simply as the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, situated at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a.

United Arab Emirates is located in Western Asia, Asia. The capital is Abu Dhabi, and the official language is Arabic. The local currency is the United Arab Emirates dirham (د.إ). With a population of 11.3M, United Arab Emirates is a mid-sized country in Asia.

Top places to visit in United Arab Emirates

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Sand tiger sharks with jagged, prehistoric grins cruise past high-end jewelry stores, separated from the browsing shoppers by a piece of acrylic thicker than a skyscraper's window.

Burj Khalifa

The world's tallest building at 828 metres; the spiralling silhouette was inspired by the Hymenocallis desert flower; the At The Top observation deck on floor 124 delivers a 360-degree panorama where the gold of the Arabian desert meets the turquoise of the Gulf; arrive at dusk when both colours are simultaneously at their most saturated.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The largest mosque in the UAE features 82 white marble domes and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet; the 'rain of light' effect, sunlight refracting through Swarovski-crystal chandeliers across the reflective pool, occurs for precisely 40 minutes after the Asr prayer; non-Muslim visitors enter free through the north gate.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Jean Nouvel's rain-of-light dome, a 180-metre latticed steel disc, filters the desert sun into 7,500 shifting beams across galleries where a 7,000-year-old Neolithic idol stands metres from a Magritte; the permanent collection deliberately dismantles the East-West art divide by displaying civilisations in parallel rather than in sequence.

Jebel Hafeet

A craggy limestone monolith rising 1,249 metres above the desert floor; the 60-million-year-old formation reveals marine fossils embedded in the sun-bleached rock; drive the 60-turn mountain road at 5 am to witness the Empty Quarter emerge from the indigo pre-dawn haze; the temperature drops ten degrees as you ascend above the thermal currents of the Oasis city.

Mleiha Archaeological Centre

The site preserves a continuous human record from the Palaeolithic era; including Neolithic tombs and a pre-Islamic fort built of sun-dried mudbrick; the laterite-red earth of the Fossil Rock formation provides a sharp backdrop to the Bronze Age circular graves; visit at twilight when the wind-sculpted dunes cast long shadows over the excavated foundations; the silence is absolute.

See all 20 places in United Arab Emirates →

What to eat in United Arab Emirates

Explore all United Arab Emirates dishes →

Before you go to United Arab Emirates

Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay. United Arab Emirates immigration may refuse entry otherwise.

Proof of onward travel

Carry a return or onward flight ticket. Airlines and border officers may ask to see it before allowing you to board or enter.

Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham

The local currency is د.إ. Exchange major currencies at the airport or city banks. ATMs are widely available in urban areas.

Language: Arabic

Arabic is the primary language. English is spoken in tourist areas and major cities.

Power & connectivity

Check United Arab Emirates's plug type and voltage before packing. Buy a local SIM card at the airport for affordable data.

Power plug guide →SIM card guide →

Check your visa for United Arab Emirates

Select your passport for an instant result.

United Arab Emirates 7-day itinerary

AI-generated day-by-day travel plan.

Explore United Arab Emirates

20 places, 5 dishes, and more.

More Asia travel guides

Popular destinations

FAQ · United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates — your questions

It depends on your passport. 93 countries can enter United Arab Emirates visa-free. 105 can apply for an eVisa online. Everyone else needs an embassy visa. Use the WorldCurio visa checker for your specific passport.