Canadian passport to the UAE
Canadian citizens get a free visa on arrival in the UAE. You don't need to apply before you travel.
The rules
- What you need
- Visa on arrival (Visit visa on arrival)
- Costs
- Free
- How long it lasts
- 30 days from the day you arrive
- How long you can stay
- Up to 30 days per visit.
- Your passport
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive.
- Arrival card
- None needed
Quick answers
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for the UAE?
No application needed. Canadian citizens get a free visa on arrival in the UAE. You don't need to apply before you travel.
How long can Canadian citizens stay in the UAE?
Up to 30 days per visit.
How long does my passport need to be valid for the UAE?
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive.
Things that could change this
- Are you taking any medicines with you, including cold, flu, allergy or pain remedies?If yes: Carry your prescription and a medical reportSome common medicines are controlled in the UAE, including codeine, tramadol, diazepam, gabapentin, pregabalin and zolpidem. Bring no more than 3 months' supply, with a prescription less than 3 months old and a medical report less than a year old, both stamped by your clinic. The safest option is to get free approval online from the Emirates Drug Establishment before you fly. It usually takes 1 working day.
- Are you taking a vape or e-cigarette?If yes: Check your vape refills for CBDVape refills and skincare products containing CBD are illegal in the UAE. They'll be taken off you and you could face criminal charges.
Good to know
No entry on emergency passports. The UAE won't let you enter on a temporary or emergency passport.
Passports with an X gender marker. You can't enter or transit the UAE on a passport with 'X' in the sex field. Passports with 'XX' in the date of birth are refused too.
Debts can stop you leaving. You may be stopped from leaving the UAE if you have unpaid debts, a court case or travel ban, or a child custody dispute.
How long you can stay. We've given the shorter stay of 30 days. GOV.UK and the Government of Canada say the free visa on arrival allows 90 days in any 180, but the UAE's own pages we could read say 30. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, check with the UAE embassy first.
Checked 26 October 2026 against UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE Government portal, Abu Dhabi Residents Office and Government of Canada.
See the 5 official sources
- Visa information to enter the country (UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Check if you need a visa to enter the UAE (UAE Government portal (u.ae))
- Visas (Abu Dhabi Residents Office)
- UAE Embassy in Oslo: Visas (UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Travel advice and advisories for the United Arab Emirates (Government of Canada)