Table of Contents
- Do Vietnamese Citizens Need a Visa for Dubai?
- Dubai Visa Types & Prices for Vietnamese Citizens (AED + USD)
- Dubai Visa Requirements — Full Document Checklist
- Dubai Visa Cost From Vietnam — What You'll Actually Pay
- Dubai Visa Application Process — Step by Step
- Flights From Vietnam to Dubai — Routes & Airlines
- Why Applications Get Rejected — and How to Avoid It
- Extension, Overstay & the 2026 Fine Update
- Sponsored Visas, Job Seeker & Business Visas
- Dubai Airport Arrival — What to Expect in 2026
- Dubai Entry Requirements Beyond the Visa — Laws & Customs
- Myths vs Reality
- A Real Example — How the June 2026 Rule Change Plays Out
- Coming Soon — The GCC Grand Tours Visa
- Quick Summary
BREAKING — 25 June 2026: The UAE Embassy in Vietnam confirmed that ordinary Vietnamese passport holders can now get a Dubai visa on arrival — but only if they also hold a valid visa or residence permit from the US, UK, EU, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Everyone else still needs a pre-arranged visa before flying.
As of July 2026, a Dubai visa for Vietnam citizens works one of two ways: a small group of travellers can now get a visa on arrival, while most still need to arrange their visa before departure. If you're one of the roughly 200,000 Vietnamese travellers who visit the UAE each year, that second group almost certainly includes you.
This guide covers the full Dubai visa requirements for Vietnamese citizens, exactly who the new visa-on-arrival rule applies to, real AED and USD pricing, and the complete Dubai visa application process — whether you're flying out of Hà Nội, Nha Trang, Vũng Tàu, Buôn Ma Thuột, or one of the provinces such as An Giang, Đồng Nai or Vĩnh Long. For the full document list beyond what's summarised here, our complete Dubai visit visa requirements page breaks down every category in detail.
Why Trust This Guide?
This page is maintained by the visa processing team at Dubai Visits Visa, a licensed UAE visa agent. Every fee and rule here is checked against public statements from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) and Dubai's General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), plus verified news reporting on the June 2026 visa-on-arrival change. Where a figure isn't officially published — such as the upcoming GCC Grand Tours Visa pricing — we say so directly instead of guessing.
Do Vietnamese Citizens Need a Visa for Dubai?
Direct answer: Yes, in most cases. Since 25 June 2026, Vietnamese ordinary-passport holders can get a Dubai visa on arrival — but only if they already hold a valid visa or residence permit from the US, UK, any EU country, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Vietnamese travellers who don't hold one of those still need a Dubai tourist visa arranged before they fly.
This is a genuine, recent change, not something older guides will have covered. Before June 2026, Vietnam wasn't on the UAE's visa-on-arrival list at all. The update added six nationalities at once — Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa — all under the same condition.
The New Visa-on-Arrival Rule, Explained Simply
To use visa on arrival, you need:
- An ordinary Vietnamese passport, valid for at least 6 months from your entry date
- A currently valid visa or residence permit from the US, UK, an EU member state, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada
- A confirmed return or onward ticket
If you meet those three conditions, immigration issues a 14-day or 60-day visa at the airport itself. If you don't hold one of those reference-country visas — which describes most first-time Vietnamese leisure travellers — visa on arrival simply isn't available to you, and you'll need the pre-arranged route covered in the next section.
Airline Boarding Warning: Airlines check visa status before boarding, not just Dubai immigration. If you don't qualify for visa on arrival and haven't arranged a visa in advance, an airline can legally deny boarding — even with a valid ticket.
If You Don't Qualify for Visa on Arrival — Your Real Options
Most Vietnamese travellers will apply for a Dubai visa for Vietnam citizens the standard way: a pre-arranged e-visa processed before departure. This is the same visa type Vietnamese travellers have used for years, and it isn't going anywhere — the June 2026 update only added a second, conditional option on top of it. We process this pre-arranged route directly, so you don't need to work out ICP's eligibility rules yourself before booking flights.
Visa Approval ≠ Entry Guarantee: An approved Dubai visa, whether pre-arranged or on arrival, does not guarantee entry. Final entry decisions rest with the UAE immigration officer at the border, on the day you arrive.
Dubai Visa Types & Prices for Vietnamese Citizens (AED + USD)
A Dubai visa for Vietnam citizens on the standard pre-arranged 30-day single-entry option typically costs around AED 350–550 (~USD 95–150). Longer durations and multiple-entry versions cost more. The table below covers every duration currently available.
| Visa Type | Entry Type | Price (AED) | Price (USD) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-Day Visa on Arrival* | Single | AED 100 | ~USD 27 | Travellers holding a qualifying 3rd-country visa |
| 60-Day Visa on Arrival* | Single | AED 250 | ~USD 68 | Same group, longer stays, non-renewable |
| 30-Day Visit Visa | Single | AED 350–550 | USD 95–150 | Standard leisure trips |
| 60-Day Visit Visa | Single | AED 550–750 | USD 150–204 | Extended family visits |
| 90-Day Visit Visa | Single | AED 700–1,100 | USD 190–300 | Job seekers, long stays |
| 30-Day Multiple Entry | Multiple | AED 700–850 | USD 190–231 | Frequent short trips to the UAE |
| 60-Day Multiple Entry | Multiple | AED 900–1,000 | USD 245–272 | Business travellers |
| 5-Year Multiple Entry | Multiple | AED 1,200–1,600 | USD 327–436 | Repeat visitors, frequent flyers |
| 48-Hour Transit | Single | AED 280–380 | USD 76–103 | Short layovers |
| 96-Hour Transit | Single | AED 460–550 | USD 125–150 | Longer layovers, city stopovers |
Single Entry vs Multiple Entry — The Actual Difference
A single-entry visa lets you enter the UAE once; once you exit, it's void even if days remain. A multiple-entry visa lets you exit and re-enter repeatedly within its validity window — useful if your trip includes a side visit to Oman or another neighbouring country.
Visa Validity vs Stay Duration — Don't Confuse These
These are two different clocks. "Validity" is the window you have to enter the UAE after the visa is issued. "Stay duration" is how long you can remain once you've entered. Example: a 60-day visa is typically valid for entry within 58 days of issue, and once you enter, you get the full 60 days to stay.
5-Year Visa Fine Print: Each visit is capped at 90 days, and total stays across the year are capped at 180 days. There is no sponsor requirement, but you'll typically need to show a bank balance around USD 4,000 (~AED 14,700) when applying.
Dubai Visa Requirements for Vietnamese Citizens — Full Document Checklist
The Dubai visa requirements below apply whether you're applying from Hà Nội, Nha Trang, Vũng Tàu, Buôn Ma Thuột, or anywhere else in Vietnam — the document list doesn't change by province.
Documents Every Applicant Needs
- Passport bio-data page — clear colour scan, minimum 300 DPI, JPG/PNG/PDF, under 2MB
- Passport's external cover page — mandatory for every applicant since 19 September 2025
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your entry date into the UAE
- Recent colour passport-style photo — white background, no more than 6 months old, no obstructions
- Confirmed or refundable return flight ticket
- Hotel booking or host's address details
- Travel insurance with UAE medical coverage — mandatory, not optional
- Bank statement matching your visa type's minimum balance
September 2025 Rule — Easy to Miss: UAE immigration now requires the passport's outer cover page as a separate scan, in addition to the bio-data page. Applications missing it can be delayed or rejected. This applies to every nationality and every visa type.
Important Passport Rules
- Enter the UAE on the exact same passport used to apply — a newly issued passport means re-applying
- The 6-month validity rule is measured from your UAE entry date, not your application date
- Photos must be in colour — black-and-white photos are routinely rejected
Documents by Visa Purpose
| Visa Purpose | Extra Documents Needed |
|---|---|
| Work Visa | Job offer letter, medical fitness test, NOC if already employed in the UAE |
| Business Visa | Trade licence copy — a local sponsor is no longer required under 2026 rules |
| Student Visa | Admission letter, MOFA-attested academic documents |
| Sponsored Visit | Sponsor's Emirates ID copy and salary proof |
| Minor / Child | Birth certificate, parental consent letter — applied separately, even for newborns |
Travel insurance deserves its own emphasis: it is a UAE government requirement, not a nice-to-have. Our Dubai travel insurance requirements page explains coverage minimums and where to buy a compliant policy before you apply.
Pro Tip: Book a refundable flight while your visa is still pending. Buying a non-refundable ticket before approval is one of the most expensive mistakes first-time applicants make.
Dubai Visa Cost From Vietnam — What You'll Actually Pay
The full Dubai visa cost from Vietnam, for the most common 30-day single-entry visit visa, runs approximately AED 350–550 (roughly USD 95–150), inclusive of standard processing. That's the number most travellers actually need — everything below explains where variation comes from.
- Government/ICP processing fee — fixed by the UAE, not by any agent
- Service charge — varies by agent and processing speed selected
- Mandatory medical/travel insurance — priced separately, by duration
- VAT (5%) applied to the total
Processing Speed & Cost
| Speed | Processing Time | Extra Cost (AED) | Extra Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3–5 working days | Included | Included |
| Express | 24–48 hours | +AED 150–250 | +USD 41–68 |
Dubai Visa Application Process — Step by Step
The Dubai visa process for Vietnamese applicants is fully online — no embassy visit, no in-person interview.
- Choose your visa type and confirm you meet the eligibility conditions
- Upload your passport (bio-data page + cover page), photo, and supporting documents
- Complete the application form with your personal and travel details
- Pay the applicable fee in AED or USD
- Wait for standard (3–5 days) or express (24–48 hrs) processing
- Receive your approved visa by email as a PDF
Apply for Your Dubai Visit Visa Today
100% online • 3–5 working day approval • Licensed platform • Family applications welcome
Apply for Dubai Visa →Visa fees and processing times are estimates. Always confirm current prices at time of application.
What the Application Form Actually Asks For
Beyond basic passport details, expect fields for occupation, previous UAE travel history (if any), and an emergency contact. None of these are unusual — they're standard on our Dubai visit visa application form guide, which walks through each field in detail.
How You Receive Your Visa
Your approved visa arrives as a PDF by email. You can travel with either a printed copy or the PDF open on your phone — both are accepted at Dubai immigration.
Flights From Vietnam to Dubai — Routes & Airlines
Emirates operates the only nonstop service between Vietnam and Dubai, flying direct from both Hà Nội and Ho Chi Minh City. If you're travelling from Nha Trang, Vũng Tàu, Buôn Ma Thuột, or a province like An Giang, Đồng Nai or Vĩnh Long, you'll connect through Hà Nội or Ho Chi Minh City first — the visa process itself is identical regardless of your departure city.
| Route | Airline | Frequency | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hà Nội (HAN) → Dubai (DXB) | Emirates | ~7 flights/week | ~6h 35m nonstop |
| Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) → Dubai | Emirates | Daily | ~7–8 hrs nonstop |
| Hà Nội → Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Etihad Airways | Multiple weekly | ~8 hrs, plus free UAE stopover option |
Why Dubai Visa Applications Get Rejected — and How to Avoid It
Most rejections trace back to something fixable, not a fundamental eligibility issue.
- Name or date-of-birth mismatch between passport and application form
- Blurry or low-resolution passport scan
- Missing passport cover-page scan (the September 2025 rule)
- Bank statement in the wrong format or below the required balance
- Incomplete document set at submission
- An old UAE visa record that was never formally closed out
If your application is refused, you can typically reapply once you've identified and corrected the cause — a rejection for a fixable reason doesn't permanently mark your record. Our common Dubai visa rejection reasons page goes deeper on each cause and how reapplication works.
Visa Extension, Overstay & the 2026 Fine Update
Most tourist visas can be extended once, for 30 additional days, provided you apply before the current visa expires. Extensions typically cost around AED 600–800 (~USD 163–218).
2026 Overstay Update: Since 11 February 2026, the UAE unified overstay fines at a flat AED 50 (~USD 13.6) per day for every visa type, starting from day one. The old 10-day grace period for tourist visas has been removed, so fines now begin the moment your visa expires. Full details are on our UAE visa overstay fine rules guide.
🚨 30-Day Re-Entry Rule: If you exit the UAE after a 30-day tourist visa, immigration generally expects at least a 30-day gap before you re-enter on another tourist visa. Trying to re-enter immediately can trigger extra scrutiny or refusal.
Planning to extend rather than exit and re-enter? Our extending your Dubai visit visa guide covers the exact steps and current fees.
Sponsored Visas, Job Seeker & Business Visas
If a UAE Resident Is Sponsoring You
Since September 2025, sponsors need to meet a minimum monthly salary depending on their relationship to you:
| Relationship to Sponsor | Min. Monthly Salary (AED) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse, child or parent | AED 4,000 | ~USD 1,090 |
| 2nd/3rd-degree relative | AED 8,000 | ~USD 2,180 |
| Friend (non-relative) | AED 15,000 | ~USD 4,085 |
Job Seeker Visa
Vietnamese nationals exploring UAE employment can apply for a 60-day or 90-day job seeker visa, giving time to interview and finalise an offer before exiting to convert to a work visa. Full eligibility is covered on our Dubai visit visa job seeker rules guide.
Business Visa — 2026 Update
As of 2026, business visas no longer require a local UAE sponsor, simplifying things considerably for Vietnamese entrepreneurs attending meetings, trade shows, or scoping potential ventures.
Dubai Airport Arrival — What Vietnamese Travellers Should Expect in 2026
Since February 2026, Dubai has run 122 biometric Smart Gates across its airports, using face and iris recognition to clear enrolled passengers in around five seconds. You can enrol via the GDRFA app or at an airport kiosk on your first visit, then skip manual passport stamping on future trips.
- First-time visitors still go through standard immigration with a manual passport check
- Random eye/iris screening is used at some immigration counters as an added security step
- Keep your visa PDF (printed or on your phone) accessible even if you've enrolled in Smart Gate
Want a fuller walkthrough of the arrival hall, customs, and getting to the city? Check our check your Dubai visa status online guide before you fly, so you're not checking it for the first time at the gate.
Dubai Entry Requirements Beyond the Visa — Laws & Customs
Meeting the Dubai entry requirements on paper is only half the picture — a few local rules catch first-time visitors off guard.
- Public criticism of the government or royal family, including on social media, carries fines and possible jail time
- Alcohol is only legal in licensed venues; public intoxication is an offence
- Bring original prescriptions for any medication, especially strong painkillers or ADHD treatments
- Dress modestly in malls, mosques and public spaces — swimwear is fine at beaches and pools only
- During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours
Customs is stricter than most travellers expect. Our items banned in Dubai guide lists exactly what not to pack, including cash-declaration rules over AED 60,000.
Myths vs Reality — Dubai Visa for Vietnamese Citizens
Myth: Vietnamese citizens now get completely visa-free entry to Dubai.
Reality: Only travellers holding a valid US/UK/EU/Singapore/Japan/Korea/Australia/NZ/Canada visa qualify for visa on arrival. Everyone else still needs a pre-arranged visa.
Myth: Travel insurance is optional if you're only staying a short time.
Reality: It's a UAE government requirement for every visit visa, regardless of trip length.
Myth: An approved visa guarantees you'll be let into the country.
Reality: The immigration officer at the border makes the final call, every time.
Myth: Submitting just the passport's photo page is enough.
Reality: The outer cover page has been mandatory since September 2025 — missing it delays or blocks approval.
Myth: You can only apply from Hà Nội or Ho Chi Minh City.
Reality: The process is fully online from anywhere in Vietnam — Nha Trang, Vũng Tàu, Buôn Ma Thuột, An Giang, Đồng Nai and Vĩnh Long all apply the same way.
A Real Example — How the June 2026 Rule Change Plays Out
Vietnamese state media (VNA and SGGP) confirmed in late June 2026 that the UAE Embassy in Hanoi verified the new visa-on-arrival terms for ordinary passport holders. Here's how that plays out for two realistic travellers, rather than a single invented "success story":
Two Nha Trang Travellers, Same Trip, Different Rules
A couple from Nha Trang planning a Dubai holiday check their documents against the new rule. One partner holds a valid US visa from a past trip; the other doesn't hold any qualifying third-country visa. Under the June 2026 update, only the first partner can use visa on arrival at DXB. The second still needs a pre-arranged visa processed before departure — meaning the couple applies for one pre-arranged visa and relies on visa on arrival for the other, rather than assuming the whole trip is now visa-free.
Illustrative scenario built around the verified 25 June 2026 UAE Embassy announcement reported by Vietnam's SGGP and VNA news agencies — individual traveller details are illustrative, not a specific case on file.
Coming Soon — The GCC Grand Tours Visa
Gulf governments are piloting a single "GCC Grand Tours Visa" that would eventually let one permit cover the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. A UAE–Bahrain pilot corridor is targeted for late 2026, with wider rollout expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
Not Confirmed Yet: No GCC government has published official pricing for this visa. Treat any specific fee you see quoted elsewhere as provisional until an official announcement lands — we'll update this page when it does.
Quick Summary — Dubai Visa for Vietnam Citizens 2026
| Visa Required? | Yes, unless you qualify for the new visa on arrival |
| Visa on Arrival? | Yes, since 25 June 2026 — conditional on a qualifying 3rd-country visa |
| Processing Time | 3–5 days standard | 24–48 hrs express |
| Typical Cost | AED 350–550 (~USD 95–150) for 30-day single entry |
| Travel Insurance | Mandatory, not optional |
| 2026 Rule to Know | Passport cover-page scan required since Sep 2025; overstay fine flat AED 50/day since Feb 2026 |
| Applies From | Anywhere in Vietnam — Hà Nội, Nha Trang, Vũng Tàu, Buôn Ma Thuột, An Giang, Đồng Nai, Vĩnh Long |
The June 2026 update genuinely changes things for a small slice of Vietnamese travellers — but for most people planning a Dubai visa for Vietnam trip, the pre-arranged route is still the realistic path, and it isn't a downgrade; it's simply the process that's worked reliably for years. Getting the documents right the first time, especially the passport cover page and mandatory insurance, avoids nearly every delay we see.
We handle this application process directly rather than pointing you to figure out ICP's eligibility rules alone, which is exactly why travellers choose a licensed visa agent instead of navigating government portals unassisted.
If you're ready to check your eligibility for either route, reach out and we'll confirm which applies to you before you book anything.
About This Guide
Written by the visa processing team at Dubai Visits Vis, a licensed UAE visa agent authorised to process Dubai visit visas for international applicants. Verified against UAE ICP and GDRFA public guidance and current news reporting on the June 2026 visa-on-arrival update. Last reviewed: . For questions specific to your situation, contact support@dubaivisitsvisa.com or WhatsApp +971588850205.
