United Arab Emirates entry requirements for Switzerland passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 18, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Swiss passport holders can enter the United Arab Emirates without a visa for stays up to 90 days. This visa-free arrangement is valid for tourism and business visits as of 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of stay | Your Swiss passport needs to be valid for the entire period you plan to stay in the UAE. Immigration officers at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports check this at the counter — no extra months beyond your stay are required. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Outbound flight within 90 days | Airlines check for a return or onward ticket at check-in in Switzerland. Immigration in the UAE also asks for it occasionally — have a printed or digital copy of your outbound booking ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Immigration officers may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a hotel reservation. A printed booking confirmation or a letter from a host with their Emirates ID number works fine. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Sufficient cash or card for your stay | You should have access to enough funds for the duration of your visit — around 1,000 AED per day is a safe benchmark. A credit card or bank statement on your phone usually satisfies the officer. | Recommended |
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. Airlines check this before issuing a boarding pass. If you're even a day short, you'll be denied travel.
No visa needed — but carry proof of onward travel
Immigration officers rarely ask for it, but they can. Always have a return ticket and hotel booking confirmation easily accessible — a screenshot on your phone is fine.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare documents before departure
Make sure your passport has 6+ months validity and at least one blank page. Book your return flight and first night accommodation. Save confirmations as screenshots on your phone.
2
At the airport check-in
The airline will check your passport validity and onward ticket. They may also ask for proof of accommodation. If you don't have these, you won't get a boarding pass.
3
Arrival at UAE immigration
At Dubai (DXB/DWC), Abu Dhabi (AUH), or Sharjah (SHJ), go to the foreign passport queue. Hand over your passport. The officer will stamp it with a 90-day visit entry. No visa fee, no form to fill.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After the stamp, proceed to baggage claim and customs. There's no additional paperwork. You're free to stay up to 90 days.
Download United Arab Emirates Entry Checklist
PDF · Switzerland Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 18, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity60 days from issue
Cost~350 AED (~$95 USD)
For longer stays beyond visa-free period. Apply online or through a sponsor.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per visit, extendable
Validity6 months from issue
Cost~650 AED (~$177 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers. Allows multiple entries within validity.
Long-term tourist visa (5 years)
Max stay90 days per visit, extendable
Validity5 years
Cost~2,500 AED (~$680 USD)
For frequent visitors. Requires proof of funds and health insurance.
retirement visa
UAE Retirement Visa
5 years, renewable
~1,000 AED (~$272 USD) application fee + health insurance
For residents aged 55+ with a monthly income of at least 15,000 AED or savings of 1 million AED. Allows long-term stay without a sponsor.
digital nomad visa
UAE Virtual Working Programme
1 year, renewable
~1,000 AED (~$272 USD) application fee + health insurance
For remote workers with a valid employment contract, minimum salary of 3,500 USD per month, and health insurance. Allows living in the UAE while working for a foreign employer.
investor visa
UAE Investor Visa (Property Owner)
2 years, renewable
~2,000 AED (~$544 USD) + property value of at least 1 million AED
For those who purchase property worth at least 1 million AED. Allows residency and family sponsorship.
work visa
UAE Employment Visa
2–3 years, renewable
Employer-sponsored, varies
For those with a job offer from a UAE employer. Includes residency and work permit. Employer handles most costs.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Overstay fine per dayFines apply after the 90-day visa-free period. Maximum cap is AED 1,000 (~$272 USD) for the first 20 days, then AED 100/day thereafter. | AED 50 (~$13.60 USD) per day |
| Tourist visa (single entry, 30 days)For those who need a visa or want to stay longer than 90 days. Can be extended. | AED 350 (~$95 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry, 30 days)Allows multiple entries within 30 days from issue. Extendable. | AED 650 (~$177 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through United Arab Emirates
No transit visa needed
Swiss passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in the UAE, as they can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. However, if you plan to leave the airport, you must clear immigration (visa-free entry applies).
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsDubai International Airport (DXB) · Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) · Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
Health & vaccines for United Arab Emirates
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., parts of Africa and South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, etc.)Essential
Health risks
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)Low risk
Rare but serious respiratory illness; avoid contact with camels and raw camel products.
Heat-related illnessModerate risk
Extreme summer temperatures can cause heatstroke; stay hydrated and avoid midday sun.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Generally safe tap water, but stick to bottled water in rural areas to avoid stomach issues.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Dubai
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai
Al Jafiliya, Dubai, UAE
Mon–Thu 07:30–14:30, Fri 07:30–12:00
Handles visa extensions, re-entry permits, and overstay fines. Visit early to avoid long queues.
Abu Dhabi
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)
Al Salam Street, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mon–Thu 07:30–14:30, Fri 07:30–12:00
Main immigration office for visa services. Online appointments recommended.
Practical information for CH travellers
Country basics
CapitalAbu Dhabi
LanguageArabic
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license not valid. Rent a car with IDP.
Money
CurrencyUAE Dirham (AED)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 3.67 AED
Time zone
Local timeUTC+4
vs New York+9h (EST) / +8h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+12h (PST) / +11h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
GType G (UK-style) — US plugs do not fit. Bring a UK/universal adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Technically safe but most residents use bottled due to taste.
Emergency numbers
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to United Arab Emirates — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. The visa-free entry is not extendable. You must leave before the 90 days are up. Overstaying results in fines — currently 50 AED per day (about 13 USD).
No. There is no pre-registration, eVisa, or arrival declaration required for Swiss passport holders. Just show up with your passport and onward ticket.
You will be denied boarding by the airline and refused entry by UAE immigration. Renew your passport before traveling.
No. The 90-day visa-free entry is for tourism and business meetings only. Working or studying requires a proper work or student visa arranged by your employer or institution.
You'll be fined 50 AED per day (about 13 USD). The fine is paid at the airport before departure. Overstaying can also lead to a ban from re-entering the UAE.
No. If you stay airside and don't pass through immigration, you don't need any visa. For layovers up to 96 hours, you can use the free transit visa if you want to leave the airport.
No, it's not required for entry. But it's strongly recommended — medical costs in the UAE are very high, and insurance covers hospital stays, evacuation, and trip disruptions.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 18, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.