UAE Grants Visa on Arrival to Eligible Kenyans Starting June 25

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced that eligible Kenyan citizens will now be able to obtain a visa on arrival when entering the Gulf nation.

In a statement issued by the UAE Embassy in Nairobi, the new arrangement took effect on June 25, 2026, and applies to Kenyan ordinary passport holders who meet specific residency requirements.

According to the embassy, Kenyan citizens holding ordinary passports can receive a visa on arrival if they possess a valid residence permit issued by the United States or a member state of the European Union.

The privilege also extends to accompanying family members who hold the same qualifying residence permits.

The move is expected to make travel between Kenya and the UAE more convenient for eligible travellers, reducing the need to apply for a visa before departure.

Additional information released by UAE authorities shows that the programme also covers travellers holding valid residence permits from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.

Eligible travellers can receive either a 14-day or 60-day visa on arrival.

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UAE Embassy Announces New Travel Arrangement

In a statement, the UAE Embassy in Nairobi said,”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 decision places Kenya among six countries newly added to the UAE’s expanded visa-on-arrival programme.

The other countries are Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and South Africa.

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Strengthening Kenya-Emirates Relations

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the expansion of the visa-on-arrival programme reflects the country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with partner nations and promoting economic, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges.

The move is expected to boost tourism, business travel, investment opportunities, and trade links between Kenya and the UAE.

The UAE is one of Kenya’s key economic partners in the Middle East, with Dubai serving as a major destination for Kenyan businesspeople, investors, students, and tourists.

What Travellers Need to Know

Travellers intending to benefit from the visa-on-arrival programme should ensure they:

Hold a valid Kenyan ordinary passport.
Possess a valid residence permit from an eligible country.
Travel with supporting documentation proving their residency status.
Have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the UAE.