By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 4 min read
Does a UAE residence permit change what you need?
No. The UK, the US and Canada decide by the passport you hold. A residence permit shows where you live and helps when you apply from the UAE, but it never replaces a visa or an authorisation your nationality requires.
Three systems sit side by side:
- ETA or eTA: a digital authorisation for passports that do not need a visa. Online, quick, cheap.
- ESTA: the US version, but only for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries.
- Visa: a full application with documents, fees, and often biometrics or an interview.
For wider planning, start from our guide to UAE visas and the list of visa-free destinations for UAE residents.
UK ETA: who needs one, what it costs and how long it lasts
GOV.UK charges GBP 20 for an ETA, and every traveller needs one, children and babies included. It lets you visit the UK for up to 6 months. GOV.UK says it lasts 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, and you can enter as often as you like while it is valid.
Decisions usually arrive by email within a day and can take up to 3 working days. The fee is not refundable, and the ETA is tied to the passport you used. A new passport means a new application.
The UK Immigration Rules put the United Arab Emirates on the ETA national list, for travel on or after 22 February 2024. Apply only on GOV.UK. It warns that other websites may charge more.
Our UK visa page covers the full visit visa for passports that need one.
US ESTA: which passports qualify
The Visa Waiver Program lets citizens of participating countries visit for up to 90 days with an ESTA approval. The UAE is not a participant. In practice:
- Emirati citizens cannot use an ESTA. They need a B1/B2 visa.
- A Dubai resident with a British passport usually can use an ESTA, because the UK is on the list.
- An Indian, Pakistani or Filipino resident needs a B1/B2 visa.
A refused ESTA does not end the matter. It sends you to the visa route. The visa has a USD 185 application fee, and the details are on our US visa page.
Canada eTA: eligible passports
Canada’s government lists the UAE among eTA-required countries, so Emirati citizens fly in with an eTA at CAD 7. Arriving by land or sea, eTA-required nationals need a valid passport but generally no eTA.
Citizens of some visa-required countries can also use an eTA, but only by air. Canada’s apply page names some citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia who meet conditions. If you hold a visa-required passport, check that page before paying for a visitor visa. A visitor visa costs CAD 100, plus CAD 85 for biometrics. On 14 October 2026 IRCC listed 55 days for applications from the UAE. See our Canada visa page.
Emirati citizens: UAE passport rules at a glance
| Destination | What an Emirati citizen needs | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| UK | ETA | GBP 20 |
| USA | B1/B2 visa, then an interview | USD 185 |
| Canada | eTA to fly in | CAD 7 |
When you need a full visa, and where to apply in the UAE
If your passport is not on a waiver list, you need the full visa.
- UK: apply on GOV.UK, then give fingerprints and a photo at the UK VFS centre in Wafi Mall, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai.
- Canada: apply online with IRCC, then give biometrics at the Canada visa application centre, also in Wafi Mall.
- USA: complete the DS-160, then attend an interview at the US Consulate General in Dubai or the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
The paperwork is similar across the three: passport, proof of residence, bank statements and an employer letter. See our guide to visa documents for UAE residents. Planning a European trip instead? Read the easiest Schengen visa from Dubai.
ETA, ESTA or visa: comparison table
| UK ETA | US ESTA | Canada eTA | Full visa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For | Visa-exempt passports, including Emirati | Visa Waiver Program citizens | eTA-required passports, flying | Everyone else |
| Cost | GBP 20 | Not confirmed here | CAD 7 | GBP 135 (UK), USD 185 (US), CAD 100 (Canada) |
| Lasts | 2 years or until passport expires | Check CBP | Check IRCC | Set per visa |
| Biometrics | No | No | No | UK and Canada at VFS Wafi Mall |
US visa appointments in the UAE: the current notice
US routine visa services in the UAE were suspended on 1 March 2026. A mission notice dated 8 August 2026 says limited visa processing is available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. On 17 October 2026 the mission’s main visa page still said routine processing was not available. The State Department table of 17 September 2026 showed the next B1/B2 interview 11.5 months away in Dubai and 12.5 in Abu Dhabi.
Read the latest notice on the US Mission UAE site before you plan. The mission releases new slots on Fridays.
Getting to the appointment
Wafi Mall and the Al Seef Road consulate are both in Umm Hurair, so one day can hold two appointments. A car with driver waits while you are inside. Book an airport transfer for the flight itself, and see all our visa services.
Photos in this guide
The clock faces of Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben, at the Palace of Westminster in LondonJulian Herzog / Wikimedia Commons (cropped), CC BY 4.0
The Lower Manhattan skyline and One World Trade Center in New York, seen across the Hudson River from Jersey CityKing of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Toronto skyline and the CN Tower, seen across the harbour from Trillium ParkMaksim Sokolov (maxergon.com) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
