Do Australians need a visa for the United Arab Emirates?
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Australian passport holders receive a free 30-day visa on arrival in the UAE. There's no application, no fee and no arrival card.
Entry requirements for United Arab Emirates at a glance
Passport validity
At least 6 months from your date of arrival
Length of stay
30 days, extendable once for 30 days
Onward ticket
Required - airlines check this at Australian check-in.
Blank passport pages
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What it costs
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival | Free | Australian passport holders, 30 days |
| 30-day extension | About AED 600 (AUD $250) | Optional, applied for in-country |
How to get sorted, step by step
- Check your passport has 6 months validity from arrival.
- Check every medication you're carrying against the UAE's controlled substances list before you pack.
- If you're driving, get a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP in Australia.
- Book an eSIM before you fly - UAE roaming is among the most expensive in the world.
What catches Australians out
Medications containing codeine, tramadol, some ADHD drugs and CBD are controlled substances. Carrying them without prior approval and a doctor's letter can result in arrest.
WhatsApp and FaceTime voice and video calls are blocked on UAE networks. Data messaging works.
Public displays of affection, swearing and rude gestures are offences.
Alcohol is legal in licensed venues but being drunk in public is not.
Cannabis, including residue or CBD products legal in Australia, carries severe penalties.
Health cover for Australians in United Arab Emirates
No reciprocal agreement. UAE hospitals are world-class and priced accordingly - payment or an insurer guarantee is required upfront.
Vaccinations: No vaccinations required.
Medications: This is the critical item for the UAE. Codeine, tramadol, some sleeping tablets, ADHD medications and anything containing CBD are controlled. Carry a doctor's letter and original packaging, and check the Ministry of Health list before you fly.
Compare travel insurance for United Arab EmiratesMore United Arab Emirates essentials
Further reading: Do Australians need a visa? A country-by-country guide
How these comparisons are made
Entry rules on these pages come from the destination's own immigration authority first, Smartraveller second, and the destination's embassy in Australia third - each page links the exact sources it used. An automated job re-reads those government pages every day and moves the review date only when a person or the checker has confirmed the page still says what we say it says. Read the full editorial policy.
United Arab Emirates entry requirements FAQs
Do Australians need a visa for Dubai?
No. Australian passport holders get a free 30-day visa on arrival in the UAE, extendable once. Your passport needs six months validity from arrival.
Planning United Arab Emirates?
We will send you the United Arab Emirates guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.