Visas

Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries do not require a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Citizens of other countries may be eligible for a visa on arrival or may be required to obtain a visa before travelling, depending on their nationality.

For the latest visa requirements, please visit the official UAE Government portal: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id

New Zealand Citizens

Visit (Tourist) Visa

Holders of New Zealand passports are eligible to receive a multiple-entry visit visa upon arrival in the United Arab Emirates without the need to apply in advance.

Visa Information:

• No visa is required before travelling to the UAE.
• A multiple-entry visit visa is granted for up to 90 days within a 180-day period from the date of first entry.
• Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival.
• Visitors must comply with all UAE laws and regulations governing their stay.

For more information, please visit:

• The UAE Government official website.
• Emirates Airline Visa Information page.

Transit Visa

Eligible travellers transiting through the UAE may obtain a 48-hour or 96-hour transit visa.

The visa is issued through the airline with which the passenger is travelling, subject to UAE immigration regulations.

Typical requirements include:

• A passport valid for at least six months.
• A confirmed onward ticket to a third destination.
• Compliance with the airline's requirements and UAE immigration regulations.

Transit visa services are available through:

• Emirates Airline
• flydubai
• Etihad Airways
• Air Arabia

Work Visa

Individuals wishing to work in the UAE must obtain a valid work permit and residence visa.

The employer in the UAE is responsible for applying for the employee's work permit and residence visa.

Typical requirements include:

• A passport valid for at least six months.
• Recent passport-sized photographs.
• Medical examination (where applicable).
• Registration for an Emirates ID.
• Any additional documents required by the relevant authorities.

For further information, please visit:

• Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
• General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA)

Citizens of Tonga and Tuvalu

Visit (Tourist) Visa

Citizens of the Kingdom of Tonga and Tuvalu must obtain a visa before travelling to the United Arab Emirates.

Several types of visit visas are available under UAE immigration regulations, including:

• 30-day visit visa.
• 90-day visit visa.
• Single-entry or multiple-entry options, depending on the visa type.

Visa applications may be submitted through:

• Emirates Airline
• flydubai
• Etihad Airways
• Air Arabia
• Approved travel and tourism agencies.
• Approved hotels in the UAE (where applicable).
• UAE residents (subject to applicable regulations).
• Other entities authorised by the UAE Government.

Required Documents:
Applicants may be required to provide:

• A passport valid for at least six months.
• A recent passport-sized photograph.
• A confirmed flight reservation.
• A completed visa application form.
• Any additional documents required for the selected visa category.

Transit Visa

Citizens of Tonga and Tuvalu may apply for a 48-hour or 96-hour transit visa through their operating airline, subject to UAE immigration regulations.

Work Visa

Anyone wishing to work in the UAE must obtain a work permit and a residence visa sponsored by their employer.

The employer is responsible for completing all procedures relating to the work permit and residence visa with the competent UAE authorities.

Document Attestation

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Wellington provides document attestation services for documents issued in:

• New Zealand
• Republic of Fiji
• Kingdom of Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Cook Islands

General Requirements:
Please submit:

• The original document after authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the relevant competent authority in the country of issuance.
• Payment of the applicable attestation fee.
• A cover letter including the applicant's name, contact details, and postal address.
• A prepaid return courier envelope or shipping label for the return of the documents.

Document attestation generally takes 3–5 working days from the date all required documents have been received.

Commercial Invoice Attestation

Commercial invoices and export documents must first be certified by the relevant Chamber of Commerce before being submitted to the Embassy for attestation.

Attestation fees are determined in accordance with the fee schedule approved by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are subject to change in line with applicable regulations and official instructions.

For enquiries, please contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Wellington by email:
wellingtonemb.cons@mofa.gov.ae