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United Arab Emirates
Saudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesNo visa needed

Do citizens of Saudi Arabia need a visa for the United Arab Emirates?

Citizens of Saudi Arabia don’t need a visa for the United Arab Emirates. You need a valid passport; border officers may ask for a return ticket and accommodation. For a longer stay you need a visa or an extension.

For citizens of Saudi Arabia: the passport opens 53 countries visa-free; Riyadh — Abu Dhabi: ≈ 780 km, about 1.5 hours of flying.

Checked by visa analyst Albert Brown, 13 years of experience · September 26, 2026

At a glance

No visa needed

Can I travel to the United Arab Emirates without a visa on a Saudi Arabia passport?

Yes, citizens of Saudi Arabia don’t need a visa for the United Arab Emirates. A valid passport is enough.

United Arab Emirates visa rules at a glance

  • With a Saudi Arabia passport you can visit 53 countries visa-free, 27 with a visa on arrival and 41 with an e-visa; 77 more require an embassy visa.
  • By the number of visa-free destinations, the Saudi Arabia passport ranks 102nd of 199.
  • Saudi Arabia passport: visa-free access to 53 countries; United Arab Emirates passport: 127.
  • Citizens of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates can travel together visa-free to 52 countries, for example: Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iran, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Armenia, Georgia, Turkey, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan.
  • A language both countries share: Arabic.
  • Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates share a border, so you can also travel overland.
  • United Arab Emirates has an embassy in your country of citizenship, so you can apply without travelling abroad.
  • Citizens of the United Arab Emirates, in turn, don’t need a visa for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia visa for citizens of the United Arab Emirates

Travelling to the United Arab Emirates: good to know

  • Riyadh — Abu Dhabi: about 780 km in a straight line; a direct flight takes roughly 1.5 hours.
  • Time difference with your country’s capital: +1 hour.
  • Local time: Riyadh 12:00 — Abu Dhabi 13:00.
  • Local currency: United Arab Emirates Dirham.
  • Languages: Arabic.
  • Exchange rate: $1.00 ≈ AED 3.67.
  • United Arab Emirates is the 4th closest of 197 destinations open to citizens of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia → United Arab Emirates

Combine your trip

Neighbouring countries and their visa rules for citizens of Saudi Arabia:

How citizens of neighbouring countries travel to the United Arab Emirates

Visa rules for the United Arab Emirates for citizens of countries bordering Saudi Arabia:

Frequently asked questions

How long is the flight: Riyadh — Abu Dhabi?

About 1.5 hours on a direct flight: the capitals are roughly 780 km apart. With a connection it takes longer.

What is the time difference with the United Arab Emirates?

Time difference with your country’s capital: +1 hour.

Do citizens of the United Arab Emirates need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

Citizens of the United Arab Emirates, in turn, don’t need a visa for Saudi Arabia.

The cheapest e-visas for citizens of Saudi Arabia

More destinations for citizens of Saudi Arabia

Where you can travel with a passport of: Saudi Arabia

Facts checked: · Government fees