United Arab Emirates entry requirements for Canadian passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Visa (Government of Canada): Read the official visa text below
Passport validity (Government of Canada): Valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter the United Arab Emirates. Official text
Official source: Government of Canada – United Arab Emirates travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Entry and exit requirements” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Whether Canadians need a visa for the United Arab Emirates and how long a Canadian passport must be valid, as published by the Government of Canada, quoted word for word with the date of the official page.
Other passports: British passport · Australian passport
Driving in the United Arab Emirates, do you need an international driving permit? Canadian licence · UK licence · Australian licence
Do Canadians need a visa for the United Arab Emirates?
We quote the official text word for word and do not summarise it. The official visa text does not match a wording we summarise.
Official text, “Visas”:
Tourist visa: required (on arrival)
Business visa: required
Student visa: required
If you’re entering the UAE as a tourist, you must get a visa on arrival at the port of entry. This visa is free and allows you to stay for 90 days within a 180-day period. The 90 days start from your first entry date, whether you stay continuously or not, and must be used within 180 days.
Useful links
- Foreign Representatives in Canada
- Visa/Entry Permit Information – UAE Government
- Smart services – Federal authority for identity and citizenship of the UAE
Also in the official “Entry and exit requirements” section:
Health entry requirements
Medical tests, including tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis infections, are required to obtain or renew a work or residency permit. Emirati authorities don’t recognize foreign-issued HIV test results.
If you test positive for HIV or another communicable disease such as hepatitis or tuberculosis, you may be subject to:
- detention
- deportation
- quarantine
- mandatory treatment
It’s also forbidden to enter the UAE with HIV/AIDS antiretroviral medication for personal use. If you do so, you may be subject to:
- scrutiny
- detention
- deportation
Exit requirements
You must exit the UAE with the passport you used for entry.
If you obtained a new passport during your stay in the UAE, you should consult the immigration authorities before travelling to ensure your visa was properly transferred to the new document.
Previous or expired visas must be formally cancelled by the organization or the individuals sponsoring your work or residency visa. If your previous visa has not been cancelled, you may be prevented from leaving the UAE or face difficulties returning in the future.
Exit bans
UAE authorities may place an exit ban on certain individuals to prevent them from leaving the country.
An exit ban can relate to investigations into:
- an individual, their family or an employer
- criminal and civil matters, including business disputes
- employment without a valid work permit
- unpaid financial debts
An exit ban can be requested by people involved in any of these circumstances. You may not be aware that authorities have placed an exit ban on you until you try to leave the country.
Your passport may be seized until the case is fully investigated and settled.
If you face an exit ban, you should seek legal advice.
Official source: Government of Canada – United Arab Emirates travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Visas” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
How long must my Canadian passport be valid for the United Arab Emirates?
In short: Valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter the United Arab Emirates.
Our one-line summary of the official sentence below, which matches a wording we recognise. Your airline may apply stricter rules.
Official text, “Regular Canadian passport”:
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into the United Arab Emirates.
Official source: Government of Canada – United Arab Emirates travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Regular Canadian passport” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
For Canadian passport holders. These rules are published by the Government of Canada (Global Affairs Canada) for Canadian citizens travelling on a regular Canadian passport. Before You Fly is an independent site: it is not a Government of Canada site and is not endorsed by the Government of Canada. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice. British passport? See the UK (FCDO) rules.
Read the full official travel advice for the United Arab Emirates (safety, health, local laws) before you travel.
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