UAE Visa for Filipinos 2026: Visa on Arrival, Fees & Apply

Philippines passport holders have UAE as one of their most loved travel destinations. Part of the reason is that the UAE is an ideal tourist destination with iconic structures, fun-filled theme parks, and shopping malls. Another reason is that acquiring a UAE Visa for Philippines has become easy with e-visas.

Do Filipinos Need a Visa for Dubai? — Quick Answer

Yes. Philippine passport holders need a visa to enter the UAE, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and all other Emirates. Yes, for most travellers. The Philippines is not on the UAE’s visa-free list. What changed on 25 June 2026 is a visa on arrival for Filipinos who already hold a valid residence permit from the US, an EU state, the UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada: 14 days (AED 100, extendable once) or 60 days (AED 250). Everyone else applies online before flying.

The good news: applying for a UAE visa from the Philippines is straightforward and fully online through our e-visa service. There is no need to visit the UAE Embassy in Manila for a tourist visa application. Most Filipino applicants receive their UAE tourist visa within 24 to 48 hours of submission.

Visa Options for Filipino Travellers

• Tourist visa (single entry) — for leisure trips, short visits, family reunions
• Tourist visa (multiple entry) — for travellers needing to enter and exit UAE multiple times
• Transit visa — for layovers longer than 6-8 hours at any UAE airport
• 14-day business visa — for short business meetings and conferences
• Visa on arrival — since 25 June 2026, for Filipinos holding a valid US, UK or EU visa or residence permit, or a residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand (14 days AED 100, or 60 days AED 250).

How to apply for a UAE visa from Philippines?

An application can be submitted through UAE Visa Online for a UAE visit visa for Philippines citizens. Unlike traditional visas, e-visas are easier to obtain and hassle-free. UAE Visa for Filipinos is a service that takes the weight of the visa application off your shoulders. In addition to the visa services, UAE tours, hotels, and flights can be booked through the website.

Must Read: Where You Can Find The UAE Visa Number And UID Number

Step-by-Step UAE Visa Application Process for Filipinos

Here is the complete process for how to apply for a UAE visa from UAE Visa Online Website. The entire application can be completed from your home in Manila, Cebu, Davao, or any Philippine city — no embassy visit required.

Step 1 — Choose your UAE visa type

Select the visa that fits your travel plans: tourist visa (30 days, 60 days, single or multiple entry), transit visa (48 or 96 hours), or 14-day business visa. If unsure, our chat support team can recommend the right visa based on your itinerary.

Step 2 — Fill in your application details

Enter your personal information exactly as it appears on your Philippine passport. Include full name, passport number, date of birth, contact details, and travel dates. Mistakes in this step are the most common cause of delays.

Step 3 — Upload required documents

Upload scanned copies of your Philippine passport bio page, a recent passport-size photograph, your confirmed return flight booking, and your hotel reservation or accommodation proof. Our system accepts JPEG, PNG, and PDF formats. You can upload from your phone, laptop, or tablet.

Step 4 — Pay the visa fees

Pay through credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB), PayPal, GCash, or international bank transfer. Payment is processed instantly through PCI-compliant secure gateways. You will receive a payment confirmation by email and SMS.

Step 5 — Receive your approved visa

Once approved, your UAE e-visa is sent to your email as a PDF. Print one copy and carry it with your passport when you fly to the UAE.

Why the UAE e-visa is the easier route for Filipinos?

First and foremost, e-visas are more manageable because everything can be done online, and you will not have to step out of your household. Furthermore, you will be travelling with your UAE tourist visa for Filipino in hand. And you can relax over the possibility of your visa being denied on arrival.

UAE e-visas or visa on arrival? Which one is the better option?

The better option is e-visas. With a visa on arrival, there is a lot that you have to leave up to chance. If you lack some required documents, your visa might be denied. And you will not be allowed to stay in the country without a valid visa. So, you are advised to obtain your visa in advance to travel safely without any hitch in your plans.

Reasons why e-visas are better than traditional visas:

1. The complete process is online. A lot of hassle can be saved with the online visa application process. All the documents you submit will have to be scanned and uploaded.
2. You can travel with the assurance that you already have your visa for the trip and will have to deal with any unexpected changes in your trip plan.
3. You can track the status of your UAE visa application from the Philippines at any time
4. You can apply for a visa no matter the holidays. Even on the weekends, your visa application can be submitted for processing.
5. Your visa can be printed or re-printed countless times since you will have a copy in your mail. If you lose your visa, it can be easily printed again.
6. Visa extensions inside UAE can be done as often as you wish.

For the reasons above, e-visas are the better choice and are recommended when travelling to UAE. With consistent updates, customer support and fewer document requirement, UAE Visa For Filipinos Online makes the UAE tourist visa for the Philippines an accessible process even for someone new to the application of e-visas.

Suggested Read: Guide To The Emirates One Mission Permit

UAE visa Requirements Philippines

• A copy of your Filipino Passport information bio page
• A passport-size photograph
• Hotel or relative booking confirmation details
• Confirmed flight booking of both ways to Dubai
• A confirmed flight booking for your next destination is another visa requirement for a tourist coming to UAE from the Philippines.

Suggested Read: All You Need To Know About UAE Student Visa Or Internship Visa

UAE Visa Photo Size and Specifications for Filipinos

The UAE visa passport photo size and specifications must be followed exactly to avoid rejection. Photo errors are one of the most common reasons UAE visa applications from the Philippines get delayed.

UAE Visa Photo Requirements:

• Size: 43mm x 55mm (approximately 4.3cm x 5.5cm), or 35mm x 45mm for some visa types
• Background: Plain white or off-white, no patterns or textures
• Face coverage: Face must occupy 70-80% of the photo, taken from the front
• Expression: Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
• Quality: High resolution, no shadows on face or background, no glare on glasses
• Recency: Photo must be taken within the last 6 months
• Format: JPEG or PNG, color photo only — black and white is not accepted
• Headwear: Not allowed except for religious purposes, and the face must remain fully visible
• Glasses: Avoid if possible. If worn, no tinting and no glare

Complete Document Checklist for Filipino Applicants

Before paying any visa fees, ensure you have all the documents required for a UAE visa from the Philippines. Document errors cause the highest number of rejections among Filipino applicants.

Mandatory Documents:

• Scanned color copy of your Philippine passport bio page (front and back if applicable)
• Philippine passport with minimum 6 months validity from your planned UAE entry date
• At least 4 blank pages in your passport
• Recent passport-size color photograph meeting UAE specifications above
• Confirmed return flight ticket showing entry and exit dates
• Hotel booking confirmation OR invitation letter with sponsor's Emirates ID copy
• Travel itinerary showing dates and destinations within UAE

Additional Documents (Sometimes Requested):

• Bank statement (last 3 months) — particularly for first-time travellers
• Employment certificate from Philippine employer
• Birth certificate copy for minors travelling on a parent's application
• Marriage certificate if applying with spouse in joint name
• Business registration documents if applying for the 14-day business visa

A short guide to when you need different UAE visas

When do you need a transit visa for UAE?

Both tourist visas and transit visas are short-term visas. However, the purpose of transit visas differs from tourist visas.Even though the UAE airport provides several helpful amenities, it is only sometimes comfortable to stay in the airport for a long. So, a transit visa for UAE is recommended because of a layover in the country.

Dubai Transit Visa Cost and Fees for Filipinos

If you have a layover in the UAE, the transit visa is your most affordable option. We offer two types of UAE transit visas suitable for Filipino travellers: The 48-hour transit visa is $130 and the 96-hour transit visa $135; both are single entry, valid for 14 days from issue, and cannot be extended.

48-Hour Transit Visa

Suitable for layovers up to 2 days. Stay validity is 48 hours from your entry into the UAE.

96-Hour Transit Visa

The 96-hour transit visa fee gives you up to 4 days in the UAE — enough to leave the airport, visit Dubai's iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa or Dubai Mall, and return for your onward flight. This is the more popular transit option among Filipinos with longer layovers.

Transit Visa Eligibility for Filipino Passport Holders:

• You must have a confirmed onward flight to a third country within the transit visa period
• Your onward flight must depart from a UAE airport
• You cannot exit the UAE on the same airline ticket you entered with
• Transit visas are issued to passengers travelling through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or any other UAE airport
• Passport must have minimum 6 months validity from entry date

Important note about transit visa pricing:

Final transit visa cost is shown at checkout in your local currency. The price varies depending on whether you choose regular processing (24-72 hours) or express processing (4-24 hours). For the most current Dubai transit visa charges, please refer to the pricing cards on this page or contact our team directly via chat support.

To apply for an Abu Dhabi transit visa or Sharjah transit visa, the same application form applies — one UAE transit visa works for entry through any of the seven Emirates' airports.

When do I need a multiple-entry visa, and when do I need a single-entry visa?

Multiple entry visas grant you permission to exit and re-enter the Emirates numerous times. With a single-entry visa, you can enter and leave UAE only once. A single-entry visa will be adequate when visiting the Emirates for tourist purposes. However, a multiple-entry visa would be more appropriate if you are required to exit and enter UAE more than once.

A 14-day single-entry UAE visa can be beneficial if you travel to UAE from the Philippines for business-related meetings.

Wondering how to get a UAE visa from the Philippines? We have got you covered!

To help you in the application process, there is a guide on the website that uses visuals to ensure that you are thoroughly guided throughout the process.

Further Read: File Number In Uae Visa Where To Find It

Visit Visa Extension Fee in UAE for Filipinos

If your trip extends beyond your original visa validity, you can extend your UAE visit visa from inside the country. A 30-day extension inside the UAE is $500 and a 60-day extension $550, government fee included; a 90-day airport-to-airport extension is $750

Important rules for visa extension:

• You must apply for the extension BEFORE your current visa expires
• Extensions are typically granted for an additional 30 days
• Multiple-entry extensions are issued as single-entry only
• Apply through our online portal — no need to leave the UAE and re-enter
• Filipinos who plan to stay longer than originally booked should apply for the extension at least 5-7 days before their visa expires to allow time for processing.

For any visa-related queries, contact- Chat support for UAE visas for Filipinos