UAE Passport: The Ultimate Guide to Benefits, Pathways, & More

The UAE passport is quickly becoming one of the best passports to have. From the thriving tourism sector and investment opportunities to the growing economy, obtaining a UAE passport puts investors in line for the 24th best passport in the world.

In this guide you will learn about:

UAE Passport Overview

The UAE is a federation of seven emirates along the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. They include:

Abu Dhabi
Ajman
Dubai
Fujairah
Ras Al Khaimah
Sharjah
Umm Al-Quwain

The UAE passport is quickly becoming one of the top-rated passports in the world. The recent changes in UAE passport regulations have made it possible for foreign investors and those with exceptional abilities to apply for a UAE passport.

Having a UAE passport opens a world of opportunity for foreign investors, with visa free travel to 179 countries across the globe. As the UAE passport ranking continues to increase so does the investment opportunities.

UAE passport rank

The strength of the UAE passport is quickly increasing as more foreign investors want access to the range of investment opportunities. As of 2024, the UAE passport ranks 24th out of 199 counties on the Global Passport Index. The score is based on the following:

Enhanced mobility index: 7th
Investment index: 6th
Quality of living index: 126th

Types of UAE Passports

Most Emirati citizens have an ordinary passport that is issued to UAE nationals for travel and identification purposes. However, there are some other UAE passports, including:

Diplomatic passport: The UAE diplomatic passport is issues to government officials, diplomats, and their families.
Service passport: A service passport is provided to UAE officials and government employees travelling on official government business.
Temporary passport: A temporary passport is provided to UAE citizens that urgently need to travel but their passport has expired or if their passport is lost or stollen.

UAE Passport Benefits

There are a range of UAE citizenship benefits, some of which are outlined below.

Dual citizenship

The UAE allows dual citizenship, meaning you won’t have to give up your existing citizenship when you obtain an Emirati passport. Always make sure to check with your country of origin regarding its rules on dual citizenship.

Family reunification

As an applicant for citizenship, you are allowed to include your spouse and children in your application. Being a UAE citizen also allows you and your family to live, work, and study in the Emirates.

Bank accounts and companies

UAE citizens face much less bureaucracy than foreigners when opening a bank account or establishing a company in the UAE. You also face fewer restrictions when registering your assets.

Tax benefits

Another benefit relates to the UAE’s tax structure. The UAE does not impose an income tax, meaning employees do not pay income tax, and there is no system for capital gains tax or inheritance tax.

As such, there is no need for an income tax return. This rule also applies to residents who are self-employed or independent contractors.

There are also over 100 countries that have double tax treaties with the UAE, such as Canada, Finland, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the and United Kingdom.

Visa-free travel

If you’re a fan of international travel, you’ll be happy to learn about the travel-related benefits of holding a United Arab Emirates passport. In addition to the fantastic tax benefits mentioned above, a UAE passport allows you visa-free travel to 179 countries. This opens a world of opportunity for travel and global investment.

UAE Passport Visa Free Countries

There are various UAE passport visa free countries. A UAE passport holder can travel to 179 countries, including:

Albania	Dominica	Kosovo	Philippines
Andorra	Dominican Republic	Kyrgyzstan	Poland
Antigua and Barbuda	Ecuador	Latvia	Portugal
Argentina	Egypt	Lebanon	Romania
Armenia	El Salvador	Liechtenstein	Saint Kitts & Nevis
Austria	Estonia	Lithuania	Saint Lucia
Bahamas	Eswatini	Luxembourg	Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Barbados	Finland	Macedonia	San Marino
Belarus	Fiji	Malaysia	São Tomé and Príncipe
Belgium	France	Mali	Serbia
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Gambia	Malta	Seychelles
Botswana	George	Mauritius	Singapore
Brazil	Germany	Mexico	Slovakia
Brunei	Greece	Micronesia	Slovenia
Bulgaria	Grenada	Moldova	Solomon Islands
Burkina Faso	Guatemala	Monaco	South Korea
Canada	Haiti	Montenegro	Spain
Chad	Honduras	Morocco	Sudan
Chile	Hungary	Nauru	Sweden
China	Iceland	Netherlands	Switzerland
Colombia	Indonesia	New Zealand	Thailand
Costa Rica	Ireland	Nicaragua	Tonga
Croatia	Italy	Northern Cyprus	Tunisia
Cyprus	Japan	Norway	Ukraine
Czech Republic	Jordan	Palestine	Uruguay
Denmark	Kazakhstan	Panama	Vatican City

UAE Passport Requirements

To apply for a United Arab Emirates passport, you must be:

A citizen of the United Arab Emirates
A newborn baby of a United Arab Emirates citizen
The non-UAE wife of a UAE citizen (you must have been married for at least seven years)

Thanks to amendments to the Executive Regulation of the Federal Law concerning Nationality and Passports approved by the United Arab Emirates government in 2021, you can obtain an Emirati passport by descent, naturalization, marriage, exceptional merit, and investment.

The UAE Golden Visa Program offers a residency by investment option, with residency granted for 5-10 years. There are also options for those with exceptional merit, whereby the UAE government nominates candidates for residency due to exceptional performance in their field.

Additionally, the Property Investor Residence Visa is another option for those looking to get into real estate in the UAE.

Obtaining citizenship in the UAE can be tricky, with strict regulations in place. Some options include:

Citizenship by marriage
Citizenship by descent
Citizenship by naturalization
Citizenship by exceptional merit

While these options are available, they are difficult to obtain. For example, citizenship by naturalization can take upwards of 30 years. If you’re looking at how to get UAE citizenship, it’s best to speak with an immigration specialist to get specific advise on your circumstances.

Read our UAE Golden Visa Guide

Click Here

United Arab Emirates Passport Cost

Applying for a UAE passport is not an expensive process. The cost of obtaining a UAE passport amounts to about AED65 (about $17.70). When applying for an Emirati passport, you will typically incur the following costs:

Request fee – AED10 (about $2.72)
Issue fee – AED40 (about $10.89)
Delivery fee – AED15 (about $4.08)

Your passport will be issued electronically within 48 hours of your appointment.

If you renew your passport through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), it will cost about AED65 (about $18) and take around 20 working days.

UAE Passport Application Process

As a national of the United Arab Emirates, you can apply for a new passport, renew your existing UAE passport, or obtain a replacement passport if yours has been lost or damaged. You can make your application using the following channels:

General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs/Citizenship Departments (GDRFA)
- The issue a passport eService Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Port Security website using:
- Residency and Citizenship portal
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah airports
- This 24/7 service is available for emergency passport renewals
UAE Embassies abroad
- Use the UAE mission locator to find a UAE Embassy in whichever country you are in to replace lost, damaged, or expired Emirati passports while abroad.

Passports for UAE newborns are issued as part of the ‘Mabrouk Ma Yak’ service. This service facilitates the issuing of identification documents for Emirati newborns, including a birth certificate, Emirati Identity card, and passport.

UAE Passport Validity

In general, an Emirati passport is valid for five years from the date of issue or until all its pages have been used (whichever instance occurs first). Extensions are not possible, so you must apply for a new passport once yours has expired.

Required Documents for a UAE Passport

To apply for a UAE passport, you will require the following documents:

Emirates ID card (original and a copy)
Family book (original and a copy)
A recent photograph

In addition to these documents, you will be required to submit your old passport when applying for a new one with the UAE .

UAE Passport Timeline

The time it takes to obtain a UAE passport as a foreigner will depend on the route you choose to obtain citizenship. For example, naturalization takes 30 years of residency in the country, and citizenship by dependency for the non-UAE wife of a UAE citizen requires the couple to have been married for at least seven years.

Once you qualify for a passport, the process of obtaining an Emirati passport is simple and efficient. Using one of the service channels mentioned above, you will need to make an appointment to obtain your UAE passport. At your appointment, you must provide the necessary documentation and pay the fees, as well as provide your fingerprint and signature. Following this, your passport will be issued electronically after 48 hours.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.

Frequently Asked Questions About the UAE Passport

How to apply for UAE citizenship?

Looking at how to get a UAE passport, there are various pathways to obtain a UAE passport, including by descent, by naturalization, marriage (dependency), exceptional merit, and investment.

How strong is the UAE passport?

In Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index, the United Arab Emirates ranks 24th out of 199 countries.

How to get a UAE passport?

You can obtain a UAE passport through, descent, naturalization, marriage, exceptional merit, and investment. While previously each of the Emirates had their own passports, today there is only one Emirati passport.

How many countries can a UAE passport enter without a visa?

Emirati passport holders enjoy access to 179 visa-free countries. There are 42 countries that allow UAE citizens visa on arrival, and only 18 countries require UAE citizens to have a visa to enter.

How much does UAE passport cost?

The UAE passport price for those with Emirati citizenship is around AED65 (about $17.70). It offers citizens the benefit of traveling to 179 countries without a visa. Only 18 countries require a traditional visa for UAE citizens looking to visit as tourists.

What are the benefits of holding an Emirati passport?

There are a range of benefits of UAE citizenship and a passport, including visa free travel to 179 countries, investment opportunities, easy applications for a UAE bank account, and a range of tax benefits.

Do you need a passport to go to Dubai?

Yes, most travelers will need a passport to enter Dubai. For some countries you may also need a valid visa to enter Dubai. It all depends on the type of passport you have and whether there are visa requirements for your home country.

Can a US citizen get a UAE passport?

Yes, a USA citizen can obtain UAE citizenship, but they need to follow the same pathways as all other nationalities. This means obtaining a UAE passport through descent, marriage, naturalization, or exceptional merit.

How can I get passport from UAE?

There are various pathways for UAE and Dubai citizenship, including by exceptional merit, naturalization, marriage, and descent. There is currently no direct citizenship by investment in the UAE.

Can Emirati passport holders get visa-free entry to Europe?

Yes, Emirati passport holders have visa free access or on arrival access to most European countries, including many Schengen Area nations and the UK, Serbia, and Albania.

What is the difference between a UAE passport and a Dubai passport?

There is no Dubai passport, there is only a UAE passport.

Can foreigners apply for a UAE passport?

A UAE passport for foreigners is possible as long as the applicant meets the requirements of obtaining UAE citizenship.

How to get UAE passport by investment?

There is currently no direct pathway to citizenship by investment in the UAE. However, a residency by investment is available through the Golden Visa UAE.

Is it possible to hold dual citizenship with a UAE passport?

The UAE allows dual citizenship under certain circumstances. For example, dual citizenship is generally granted to professionals, those with special talents, and investors. Always make sure to check with your country of origin regarding its rules on dual citizenship.

Can I enter Dubai with an ID card instead of a passport?

You can enter Dubai with an ID card if you are a UAE resident with an Emirates ID or a GCC national.

What is the process of renewing a UAE passport?

Renewing a UAE passport is a straightforward process. Simply apply online or go into the consulate in person with your current passport, Emirates ID, and recent passport photographs.