Kenyans travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under specific residency conditions will now be able to obtain visas on arrival following a new initiative aimed at easing travel and strengthening economic ties.
In a statement on Thursday, June 25, the UAE Embassy in Kenya announced that Kenyan nationals holding ordinary passports will be eligible for either a 14-day or 60-day visa on arrival in the UAE, provided they possess a valid residence permit from select countries.
The listed countries are the United States, the United Kingdom, a European Union member state, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
The provision also extends to accompanying family members who meet the same residency requirements.
“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 United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Canada, or New Zealand,” UAE Embassy in Kenya announced.
According to the embassy, the new visa policy is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to make international travel more convenient while reinforcing the country’s position as a leading global hub for tourism, trade and investment.
Under the new framework, the 14-day visa can be extended once while in the UAE, while the 60-day visa is issued for a single stay and cannot be extended. Travellers who overstay beyond the permitted period will be subject to a fine per day.
The UAE remains one of the most popular destinations for Kenyans, attracting visitors for leisure, shopping, medical tourism, higher education and employment opportunities.
The country also serves as a major international transit hub, with its airports connecting passengers to destinations across Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.
The latest policy is expected to enhance people-to-people exchanges and strengthen commercial links between Kenya and the UAE, which have continued to deepen through trade, investment and diplomatic cooperation in recent years.
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