However, certain nationalities automatically gain a visit visa on arrival, usually for 60 days and then they can renew their visa once for an additional period of 30 days (for a fee of Dhs.500).
Citizens of Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vatican City receive an automatic visa on arrival in Abu Dhabi.
If you are not of one of these nationalities then your hotel can take care of the paperwork for you. You will need to provide them with a photocopy of your passport and the fee, which is usually around Dhs.100 per visa. If you have left things until the last minute, your hotel can arrange an emergency visa for you (usually ready within 24 hours), but this will cost an additional Dhs.100. Once this visa is approved it will be held at the airport for you to collect on arrival. For those travelling onwards to a destination other than that of their original departure, a special transit visa (up to 96 hours) may be obtained free of charge through certain airline carriers operating in the UAE.
There is no customs duty levied on personal effects entering Abu Dhabi. It is forbidden, however, to import drugs and pornographic items. Certain medications, including codeine, Temazepam and Prozac, are banned even though they are available in other countries. High-profile cases have highlighted the UAE’s zero tolerance to drugs. Even a miniscule quantity in your possession could result in a lengthy jail term. DVDs, videos, books and magazines may be checked with a more thorough eye than in other countries, and suspect items, particularly movies, may be confiscated for the material to be approved. Unless it’s offensive, it can be collected at a later date. Both arriving and departing passengers have access to the Duty Free area.
There are no restrictions on the import/export of local or foreign currency. The UAE is party to international laws on money laundering, and those caught doing so could face prison or a fine of Dhs.300,000. The limit for undeclared cash that you can carry into the country is Dhs.40,000.
