The UAE welcomes Chinese visitors with one of the most generous visa-free arrangements in the Middle East.1 As a Chinese passport holder, you can enter the United Arab Emirates without any visa application, pre-registration, or advance paperwork. Simply arrive with your passport and required documents, clear immigration, and enjoy up to 90 days exploring Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and beyond.

Entry Process

Entering the UAE as a Chinese tourist is straightforward and typically takes just minutes:

1. Before departure from China
   Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival date.2 Book your return flight, secure accommodation, and have proof of funds available.

2. At the airport in the UAE
   Present your Chinese passport to the immigration officer. Have your return ticket, hotel booking, and proof of funds ready. You may be asked about your purpose of visit and travel plans.

3. Immigration clearance
   If all requirements are met, the officer will stamp your passport permitting stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.3 Processing is immediate.

4. Smart gates (optional)
   Frequent travelers may be eligible to register for UAE smart gates at major airports, allowing faster automated immigration clearance on future visits.

Fees

There are no government fees for Chinese citizens entering the UAE under the visa-free arrangement.1 The 90-day tourist stay is completely free of charge.

What You Need to Prove

UAE immigration officers have discretion to refuse entry even to visa-free visitors if they are not satisfied the visitor is genuine.5 Following stricter requirements introduced in late 2024, you should ensure:

Adequate funds: You must have sufficient money to cover your accommodation, food, transportation, and activities throughout your stay without needing to work.6 Carry at least AED 5,000 (approximately ¥9,900 CNY) in accessible funds, whether as cash, credit cards, or demonstrable bank balance.

Confirmed accommodation: Unlike previously, you now must have confirmed proof of where you will stay.6 This can be a hotel booking confirmation or an invitation letter from a UAE resident with their Emirates ID copy.

Onward or return travel: You must have a confirmed ticket to leave the UAE.6 Immigration will verify your departure booking.

Genuine visitor intent: You must be visiting for legitimate purposes: tourism, shopping, visiting friends or relatives, short business meetings, or transit. You cannot take up employment, study, or establish any business.2

Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date with at least one blank page for the entry stamp.6

Processing Times

Entry processing at UAE immigration is immediate.2 Most travelers clear immigration in under 15 minutes. During peak seasons (Chinese New Year, National Day holidays) or at busy times, queues may be longer, but the actual document check takes only moments.

2025 Policy Update

In April 2025, the UAE extended visa-free stays for Chinese citizens from 30 days to 90 days within any 180-day period.3 This significant extension reflects the growing tourism and business ties between China and the UAE. Key points:

• Previous allowance: 30 days (since November 1, 2016)
• New allowance: 90 days within 180 days (since April 11, 2025)
• Usage: The 90 days can be used continuously or across multiple visits
• Coverage: Applies to holders of ordinary, diplomatic, and service passports

After You Arrive

Your passport stamp will show:

• Permission to remain: As a visitor for up to 90 days within 180 days
• Conditions: No employment, no business establishment, no study

During your stay: Keep your passport safe. You may be asked to show it when checking into hotels. Do not work, even volunteer or unpaid positions. Do not enroll in any courses.

Before your 90 days expire: You must leave the UAE before the permitted stay ends. Overstaying incurs a fine of AED 60 per day.3

Re-entry: You can enter the UAE again after departing, as long as your total stay does not exceed 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. Immigration tracks your entry and exit dates.

If You Are Refused Entry

Entry refusal for Chinese citizens is rare, with the UAE welcoming over 824,000 Chinese visitors to Dubai alone in 2024.4 However, refusal can happen if immigration has concerns.

Reasons for refusal may include: Suspected intent to work illegally, insufficient funds, no confirmed return ticket or accommodation, passport validity issues, previous immigration violations, or inconsistent answers to questions.6

If refused entry: You will typically be held at the airport and returned on the next available flight to your origin. Entry refusal will be recorded and may affect future visits.

To avoid refusal: Carry all supporting documents (return ticket, hotel booking, proof of funds), answer questions honestly, have a clear itinerary, and ensure your passport is valid with at least 6 months remaining.

If you anticipate issues: If you have a complicated immigration history or previous UAE violations, consider contacting the UAE embassy in Beijing before traveling to clarify your status.

Tourism Boom: China and UAE

Chinese tourism to the UAE has grown rapidly in recent years:4

• 824,000 Chinese tourists visited Dubai in 2024 (31% increase from 2023)
• Dubai welcomed 18.72 million international visitors in 2024
• Chinese visitors contributed to a 24% growth in arrivals from Asia
• Dubai ranked among the top destinations for Chinese outbound travel

The UAE has invested heavily in attracting Chinese visitors, including Mandarin-speaking staff at hotels, Chinese payment systems, and tailored tourism experiences during Chinese New Year and other holidays.