The United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Norway established diplomatic relations on February 11, 1974. Since then, bilateral relations have developed steadily across political, economic, and cultural fields, supported by regular high-level exchanges and expanding institutional cooperation.
Diplomatic ties have continued to strengthen through the establishment of resident diplomatic missions. Norway opened its Embassy in the United Arab Emirates in 1994, while the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to the Kingdom of Norway was inaugurated in Oslo in June 2014. H.E. Fatema Khamis Almazrouei presented her credentials to His Majesty King Harald V as Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Kingdom of Norway on January 19, 2023.
High-level visits have played an important role in advancing bilateral cooperation. The official visit of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to Norway in October 2024 further strengthened bilateral relations. The visit also witnessed the exchange of several agreements to enhance cooperation in aviation, higher education, and sustainable development.
The official visit of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Norway in June 2016 contributed to expanding cooperation in political dialogue, investment, renewable energy, and development assistance.
The two countries maintain a Memorandum of Understanding on visa exemption arrangement for holders of ordinary passports. In addition, Emirates has operated daily direct flights between Dubai and Oslo since September 2014, further facilitating tourism, trade, investment, and business exchanges.
Economic relations continue to expand, with approximately 150 Norwegian companies operating in the UAE across strategic sectors, including oil and gas, maritime services, renewable energy, advanced technology, information and communications technology (ICT), and the food industry. The UAE's competitive business environment continues to attract Norwegian investment, while Norwegian expertise contributes to several strategic sectors in support of the UAE's economic diversification agenda.
As of 2026, the United Arab Emirates has formally acceded to the Svalbard Treaty pursuant to Federal Decree No. 125 of 2025, becoming one of its contracting parties. This enables the UAE to participate in scientific research and other treaty-permitted activities in the Svalbard archipelago on the same basis as other contracting parties, while Norway retains full sovereignty over the territory.
Recent developments reflect an increasing focus on climate cooperation, the green transition, innovation, sustainability, and economic diversification, underscoring the depth and resilience of the bilateral partnership and the shared commitment of both countries to advancing sustainable development.
The United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Norway enjoy a strong and steadily expanding economic partnership, supported by close political dialogue and complementary economic priorities. The UAE is Norway's second largest trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa, reflecting the importance of bilateral commercial ties.
In 2025, Norwegian exports of goods to the UAE totaled approximately NOK 5.3 billion, while imports from the UAE reached approximately NOK 3.9 billion.
The UAE also serves as a regional hub for Norwegian businesses. Approximately 300 Norwegian companies operate across the Middle East, with around 70 percent registered in the UAE. At the same time, Emirati investment in Norway continues to grow.
Economic cooperation spans a broad range of strategic sectors, including oil and gas, renewable energy, maritime industries, logistics, advanced technology, information and communications technology (ICT), and the food industry. As both countries continue to advance their economic diversification and sustainability agendas, new opportunities are emerging in clean energy, innovation, digital technologies, and other future-oriented industries.
The United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Norway share longstanding cultural ties and a growing partnership in the fields of culture and the creative industries. Over the years, the two countries have strengthened cooperation through exhibitions, artistic initiatives, academic collaboration, and participation in major international cultural events.
In 2018, Oslo hosted the "Norway–UAE: +40 Years of Culture Exhibition" to commemorate more than four decades of cultural relations between the two countries. Since then, cultural cooperation has continued to expand, reflecting the shared commitment of both nations to fostering intercultural dialogue, promoting innovation and creativity, preserving cultural heritage, and deepening mutual understanding.
This interactive page provides Emirati travelers with personalized travel guidance and essential entry requirements based on their selected destination. Through a user-friendly map interface, travelers can quickly access important information, understand destination-specific regulations and requirements, and prepare confidently for their international journey.
- View destination-specific visa and entry requirements.
- Access the latest travel guidance and important alerts.
- Review passport, health, and required documentation requirements.
- Prepare for international travel using reliable and relevant guidance.
This interactive page provides non-UAE citizens with clear and accessible information about visa requirements for entering the United Arab Emirates. Users can search for their country or nationality and quickly determine whether they are eligible for visa-free entry or are required to obtain a visa before travelling, helping them plan their visit and complete the necessary arrangements in advance.
- Search for visa information by country or nationality.
- Check whether entry to the UAE is visa-free or requires a visa.
- View country-specific visa eligibility information.
- Prepare the required travel and visa arrangements before departure.
