UAE Entry.
Regulations
An exhaustive guide to Emirates border crossing protocols. From exact requirements for passport validity and the nuances of obtaining a visa on arrival, to the strict regulations regarding the use of an International Driving Permit (IDP) for car rentals and the mandatory declaration of medications.
Passport Control & Visa Regimes
A foreign national’s passport must be valid for strictly more than 6 months from the date of entry into the UAE. Temporary identity cards and emergency travel documents are not accepted.
- EU, Schengen Area, UK 90 Days
- USA, Canada, China, CIS 30 Days
- Other Countries (eVisa) In Advance
Every child must hold their own passport. Children included in their parents’ passports are not permitted to cross the UAE border.
Legal Driving & Car Rentals
By UAE Federal Traffic Law, tourists cannot drive or rent a vehicle strictly on their home country’s license. To avoid massive police fines and ensure insurance validity, you must secure your document via the Official IDA UAE Headquarters.
- UN Conventions 1949 & 1968
- Global Recognition 150+ Countries
- Format Included Smart ID & Booklet
For travelers and expats from Central Asia, processing is heavily optimized. Utilize the Kazakhstan Representative Office to bypass complex international shipping and receive native language support.
Standing at the rental desk without your permit? Submit an application through the Express Digital Portal and receive a legally valid digital copy directly to your smartphone in minutes.
IDP & Vehicle Rental
To legally rent and drive a vehicle, tourists are strictly required to possess an IDP (International Driving Permit booklet) in conjunction with their original national driver’s license.
- Minimum Age 21 Years
- Driving Experience 1+ Year
- Security Deposit Credit Card
Passing through toll gates is recorded automatically. Tags are pre-installed on rental vehicles. The toll fee (~5.25 AED per crossing) is deducted by the rental company from your deposit.
Medicine & Prescriptions
It is highly recommended to hold comprehensive travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of $100,000. A standard policy should cover emergency hospitalization, dental care, and repatriation.
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) Up to 3 Months
- Prescription Drugs Up to 1 Month
- Online Approval Mandatory
To legally import personal medications containing restricted substances, tourists are strictly required to submit an advance application through the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) portal.
Customs & Declarations
- Hard Liquor Up to 4 Liters
- Cigarettes Up to 400 Sticks
- Gifts (Total Value) Up to 3,000 AED
Cash, traveler’s checks, and precious metals exceeding a total value of 60,000 AED (or its equivalent in any currency) are subject to mandatory customs declaration.
The import of any unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by tourists is strictly prohibited without obtaining a prior license from the GCAA and the Ministry of Defense.
Hotels & Taxes
- 5-Star Hotels 20 AED
- 4-Star Hotels 15 AED
- 2-3 Star Hotels 10 AED
Upon check-in, the hotel holds an amount on your credit card or takes a cash deposit to cover potential incidental charges (mini-bar, damages). An original passport for each guest is mandatory.
Independent booking and check-in are permitted for individuals over 18 years of age. In some premium resorts in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the limit is increased to 21 years old.
Connectivity & Internet
To purchase a local SIM card (Du, Etisalat, Virgin), tourists are strictly required to present their original passport with a physical entry stamp (or e-Visa). Available at the airport or shopping malls.
- Default Data 1 GB
- Validity 24 Hours
- Distribution Passport Control
Voice and video calls via popular messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, FaceTime) are blocked at the state level. Text messaging works without restrictions.
Social Norms & Alcohol
To legally purchase alcohol in specialized stores (MMI, African+Eastern) in Dubai, tourists are issued a free 30-day license. It is processed directly in the store upon presenting an original passport with an entry stamp.
- Shoulders & Knees Covered
- Swimwear Pool/Beach Only
- Sheer Clothing Prohibited
Public displays of affection (hugging, kissing) are strictly regulated. Only holding hands is permitted (for married couples). Violations are treated as an offense against public decency.
Pet Import & Vet Control
Pets are strictly required to have an international veterinary passport and an implanted ISO 11784/11785 standard microchip. Microchipping must be done strictly before the rabies vaccination.
- Issuing Authority MOCCAE (Online)
- Permit Validity 30 Days
- Rabies Titer Test Mandatory
Under UAE regulations, pets are primarily imported into the country as Manifested Cargo. Travel in the aircraft cabin is only permitted on Etihad and Emirates flights under strict conditions.
Public Transport
To pay for metro, bus, and tram fares, a NOL card is strictly required. Cash is not accepted on board. For tourists, the Silver (standard fare) or Red (single trip/day pass) cards are the most optimal.
- Women & Children Pink Signs
- Gold Class (VIP) Gold NOL Only
- General (Standard) For Everyone
State-operated taxis with colored roofs (RTA Taxi) run strictly on a meter. The minimum trip fare is 12 AED. You can also book rides using the Careem and Uber apps.
Finance & Currency
The Dirham is strictly pegged to the US Dollar (1 USD = 3.67 AED). To exchange any amount at official bureaus (Al Ansari, UAE Exchange), presenting your original passport or Emirates ID is mandatory.
- Visa / Mastercard 100% Acceptance
- UnionPay System ~85% Acceptance
- Apple / Google Pay Widely Accepted
Despite total digitalization, cash (Dirhams) is still required for tipping, shopping at traditional markets (Souks), and paying at small street cafes where card terminals might temporarily be unavailable.
Emergencies & Law
If you lose your passport, you must immediately report it to the nearest police station to obtain an official loss certificate. Present this certificate to your country’s Consulate to be issued an Emergency Travel Document (ETD).
- Police (Emergency) 999
- Ambulance / Medical 998
- Fire Department 997
For non-emergency situations, general inquiries, reporting fraud, or lost property (excluding passports) in Dubai, use the dedicated 901 helpline or the official Dubai Police mobile app.
Accommodation & Rules
For legal check-in at holiday homes (Airbnb, Booking), the host is required to request passport copies of all guests. This data is uploaded to the Dubai Department of Tourism system.
- Standard 10 AED / night
- Deluxe 15 AED / night
- Fee Condition Per bedroom
Every apartment rented on a short-term basis must possess a Holiday Home license (QR code on the door or in the listing). Renting via social media from a subletter risks eviction without a refund.
VAT Refund (Tax Free)
- UAE VAT Rate 5%
- Min. Purchase Amount 250 AED
- Export Timeframe 90 Days
You must present your original passport at the time of purchase. The retailer will register the purchase in the system and attach a special Tax Free Tag to the back of the receipt.
Receipt validation takes place at self-service kiosks before checking in baggage (a customs officer may ask to see the items with tags attached). Only unused items in their original packaging are accepted.