UAE introduces visa-on-arrival for eligible Kenyan passport holders

Kenyan ordinary passport holders with valid residence permits from select countries will now be eligible for a visa on arrival in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following a new policy that took effect on June 25, 2026.

In a statement, UAE authorities announced that the visa-on-arrival facility will be available to Kenyan citizens and their accompanying family members who hold valid residence permits issued by the United States, a member state of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Canada, or New Zealand.

The initiative is aimed at easing travel requirements for eligible visitors while strengthening ties between the UAE and Kenya.

According to the announcement, the move reflects the UAE's commitment to facilitating international travel and enhancing its position as a leading global hub for tourism, business, and investment.

"Effective June 25, 2026, the United Arab Emirates will grant visas on arrival to ordinary passport holders from the Republic of Kenya and their accompanying family members who hold valid residence permits issued by the United States, a European Union member state, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Canada, or New Zealand. This initiative reflects the UAE’s commitment to facilitating travel and reinforcing its position as a global destination for tourism, business, and investment," UAE embassy in Kenya said in a statement.

The new arrangement is expected to benefit Kenyan travellers who frequently visit the UAE for business, leisure, education, and transit purposes, reducing the need to obtain a visa before departure.

The UAE remains one of the most popular destinations for Kenyan travellers, attracting thousands of visitors annually due to its thriving business environment, tourism attractions, and strategic location connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe.

The move is set to improve travel accessibility and support economic and people-to-people connections between the UAE and countries around the world.

Eligible Kenyan travellers will no longer be required to apply for a UAE visa before travelling. Instead, they can board their flights and obtain a visa upon arrival at UAE airports, provided they meet the stipulated requirements.

However, the visa-on-arrival facility will not be available to all Kenyan passport holders.

Before the policy change, most Kenyans travelling to the UAE were required to secure visas in advance through sponsors, travel agencies, airlines or the UAE immigration system before departure.

The new arrangement allows eligible travellers to obtain either a 14-day visa on arrival, which can be extended once, or a 60-day visa on arrival that is non-extendable.

A Kenyan citizen living and working in the United Kingdom with a valid UK residence permit can now travel directly to Dubai and receive a visa at the airport upon arrival instead of undergoing the pre-travel visa application process.

The same applies to Kenyans residing in countries such as Canada, Australia, the United States and Germany, provided they hold valid qualifying residence permits.

Despite the relaxation of travel requirements, the policy does not amount to visa-free entry for all Kenyans. A Kenyan passport alone is not sufficient to qualify for the visa-on-arrival programme, as travellers must also hold a valid residence permit from one of the approved countries.