Planning a trip to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or another emirate? If you hold a Romanian passport, understanding the UAE's entry requirements before departure can help you avoid unnecessary applications, unexpected expenses and travel delays.
This guide explains UAE visa requirements for Romania citizens in 2026, including visa-on-arrival eligibility, passport validity, tourist visa options, documents, processing estimates and application procedures. It also explains when a pre-arranged visa may be relevant and how to check your travel documents before flying.
Important: Romanian citizens are listed among the nationalities eligible for a UAE visa on arrival by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Check the current conditions for your passport and itinerary before purchasing a pre-arranged visa. Eligibility and permitted stay should be confirmed through official UAE channels.
Romanian ordinary-passport holders are generally eligible for a UAE visa on arrival for tourism, subject to the applicable entry conditions. Therefore, a pre-arranged tourist visa is not automatically required for every Romanian traveller.
Before departure, check the following:
Entry conditions may change. Use official UAE government guidance or confirm with the relevant immigration authority or airline before departure.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are both part of the United Arab Emirates. Entry requirements are determined by UAE immigration rules, rather than separate tourist visa requirements for each emirate.
Romanian passport holders are included in the official GDRFA list of nationalities eligible for visa on arrival. This means eligible travellers can generally arrange their entry permission on arrival instead of purchasing a tourist visa in advance.
However, travellers should confirm the applicable visa duration, passport conditions and any special circumstances before departure.
If you are not eligible for visa on arrival, require a different entry category or prefer to arrange a suitable entry permit in advance, check the available options through the relevant official channel or a travel service provider.
Romanian citizens should check the official UAE visa-on-arrival list before applying for a commercial tourist visa.
The exact permitted stay and conditions should be confirmed against the rules applicable to the traveller at the time of arrival. Do not assume that every visa-on-arrival nationality receives the same duration or extension conditions.
A pre-arranged visa may be relevant if your travel circumstances do not qualify for visa on arrival or if you need a different entry category. Before paying for an application, confirm that the selected product is appropriate for your passport and purpose of travel.
For the latest guidance, consult the official GDRFA visa-on-arrival list and the UAE Government visa eligibility guidance.
Travellers who need a pre-arranged entry permit should select the category that matches their travel purpose and intended length of stay.
Commercial providers may offer different tourist visa durations and single-entry or multiple-entry options. Availability, permitted stay, entry-permit validity and fees depend on the specific product and the applicable immigration rules.
A single-entry visa generally allows one entry during its applicable validity period. A multiple-entry visa may allow more than one entry during the permitted validity period, subject to its conditions.
Before applying, confirm:
The entry permit's validity is not necessarily the same as the permitted duration of stay. Check both dates and conditions on the issued document.
Commercial service prices must be confirmed before publication. Get Emirates Visa's indexed product listings display different prices on different pages, so the following information should be checked against the live checkout before being presented as current.
| Visa category | Price to display |
|---|---|
| 14-days single-entry visa | 145 USD / 265 USD |
| 30-day single-entry tourist visa | 155 USD / 275 USD |
| 30-day multiple-entry tourist visa | 435 USD / 555 USD |
| 60-day single-entry tourist visa | 445 USD / 564 USD |
| 60-day multiple-entry tourist visa | 595 USD / 715 USD |
| 48-hour transit visa | 135 USD / 245 USD |
| 96-hour transit visa | 140 USD / 260 USD |
These are commercial service prices, not a statement of official UAE government fees. The final payable amount should be shown transparently, including any service fees or optional charges.
Compare available UAE visa options: View UAE visa services.
The documents required depend on whether you are entering under a visa-on-arrival facility or applying for a pre-arranged tourist visa.
For a pre-arranged application, prepare the following where applicable:
The provider may request further information depending on the application and immigration requirements. A national identity card, bank statement or invitation letter should not be described as universally mandatory unless the relevant visa category or authority requires it.
Before submitting, ensure that your personal details match your passport exactly and that all uploaded files are clear, complete and readable.
Processing time depends on the application route, visa category, completeness of the documents and the relevant immigration authority's review.
Get Emirates Visa may offer regular and express services for eligible products. The website's advertised processing estimates should be checked against the current product page before publication.
An advertised service estimate is not a guarantee of approval or a guaranteed immigration decision time. Additional checks, document requests, weekends, public holidays or other operational circumstances may cause delays.
If you are travelling soon, confirm your eligibility and processing options before paying. Avoid assuming that an express service will ensure a visa is issued before departure.
If you have confirmed that you need a pre-arranged visa, follow these steps:
You can begin by checking the Get Emirates Visa online service. First confirm that a pre-arranged visa is appropriate for your circumstances.
Submitting an application does not guarantee approval. The competent immigration authority makes the final decision.
If you are travelling through a UAE airport to another destination, your requirements depend on your nationality, entry eligibility, itinerary and whether you intend to enter the country during the stopover.
Eligible Romanian travellers may be able to use visa-on-arrival arrangements when entering the UAE, subject to the applicable conditions. A pre-arranged transit visa may be relevant for travellers who need one for their particular itinerary.
UAE transit visa categories include 48-hour and 96-hour options. Their eligibility, conditions and validity should be confirmed before application. Transit permits are not interchangeable with ordinary tourist visas.
Before travelling, confirm:
Check your airline's transit guidance and the relevant official UAE immigration requirements before purchasing a transit visa.
An extension is not automatically available for every UAE entry permission. Eligibility depends on the visa category, issuing authority and rules in force at the time of the request.
If you are already in the UAE and want to stay longer, check your current permit's conditions and seek confirmation from the issuing authority or a qualified service provider before your permitted stay expires.
Do not assume that you can extend every visa, that an extension will be approved, or that leaving the UAE is never necessary.
You can review the official ICP visa extension service for applicable categories, requirements and fees.
Although requirements vary, the following issues can cause problems with a pre-arranged visa application:
Review all details carefully before submission and allow sufficient time for any additional checks.
If you applied through Get Emirates Visa, use the provider's tracking service and the reference number supplied with your application.
A provider's tracking page may show the status of its application process. For official confirmation of an issued immigration document, use the appropriate government channel when available.
If your application is pending, contact the provider before submitting another application or making a duplicate payment.
Romanian passport holders are listed by GDRFA among nationalities eligible for a UAE visa on arrival. Confirm the current conditions and permitted stay before travelling.
Yes, Romanian citizens are included in the official GDRFA visa-on-arrival nationality list. The applicable conditions and permitted duration should be confirmed with official UAE sources before departure.
Not necessarily. Dubai and Abu Dhabi follow UAE immigration rules, and eligible Romanian travellers may qualify for visa on arrival. A pre-arranged permit may be needed in other circumstances.
UAE government guidance generally requires at least six months of passport validity from the date of entry. Confirm the requirement applicable to your travel circumstances.
The cost depends on whether you qualify for visa on arrival or need a commercial pre-arranged visa, as well as the selected category and service. Check the provider's current checkout price before paying. Commercial prices are not necessarily official government fees.
Processing varies by category, application and immigration review. Any regular or express time advertised by a commercial provider should be treated as an estimate, not a guarantee.
Multiple-entry products may be available for eligible applicants, subject to the category's conditions and approval. Confirm whether you actually need a pre-arranged multiple-entry permit before applying.
Some UAE visit and tourist permits may be eligible for extension, but the rules depend on the specific category and issuing authority. Confirm eligibility before your current permitted stay expires.
Each traveller, including a child, must meet the applicable entry requirements and hold the necessary travel documentation. Confirm the child's eligibility and any application requirements before departure.
Contact the service provider or issuing authority to understand the status and any next steps. Correct errors or supply additional documents if requested. A new application does not guarantee approval.
Before departure, make sure you have:
Planning your UAE trip? Confirm your entry eligibility first. If you need a pre-arranged entry permit, compare the available options and check the total price and processing estimate before applying through Get Emirates Visa.
Immigration authorities retain the final decision on entry and visa issuance. Requirements can change, so verify official guidance before travelling.