What Is the Green Countries List UAE
The UAE green countries list is a government-created classification system that defines the health, safety, and bilateral travel agreements of each country. When a country holds “green” status, it means that UAE travelers can visit the destination and return home with fewer restrictions and requirements, reduced documentation burdens and, in most cases, with no mandatory quarantine.
This classification means that the destination country meets the UAE’s criteria of safety and health standards and the destination is considered a pre-approved and low-risk travel corridor for UAE travelers.
Please note that this classification is not permanent. It changes depending on epidemiological data, bilateral government agreements, WHO advisories and airline-level compliance checks.
How UAE Travel Categories Work
The travel classification system is monitored by several authorities, including the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICA), and airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, and Air Arabia, which provide supplementary information on destinations.
Below is the list of the main classification categories in the UAE:
- Green countries — low-risk destinations with streamlined entry and return processes
- Amber countries — medium-risk destinations with additional health documentation or testing
- Red countries — high-risk destinations with stricter entry controls, possible quarantine on return or temporary travel bans
The classification list changes on a rolling basis, and it means that authorities can reclassify a country without prior notification. The authorities update the classification depending on public health changes, diplomatic agreements or global safety travel assessment.
What “Green Status” Means for UAE Travelers
When your destination country has green status, you get a smoother and faster travel experience with the following benefits:
- No mandatory quarantine on return to the UAE in most cases
- Reduced or eliminated health testing requirements at the border (depending on 2025 guidelines)
- Faster airport processing with fewer document checks
- More flexible booking options to and from the green destination
However, the green status does not mean zero requirements. You should have valid travel documents and some of the destination countries may have their own entry requirements. Thus, always check the requirements of your destination and the UAE re-entry requirements.
📊 Quick Stat: According to 2026 data, the UAE serves over 250 international destinations at its three airports (Dubai International, Abu Dhabi International, and Sharjah International). Most of the popular routes are within the territory of green-classified destinations.
Complete Green Countries List UAE for UAE Citizens (Updated in 2026)
This is the section you are looking for. Below you will find detailed information about countries with green classification for UAE travelers, organized by continent for better readability. Please note that you should always verify the status of the destination at the ICA or GCAA portal before your departure.
Green List Countries in Europe
Europe remains the most popular travel destination for UAE residents. The good news is that the majority of European countries are classified as green in 2026.
| Country | Status | Key Notes |
| United Kingdom | Green | No quarantine; standard entry docs apply |
| France | Green | Schengen visa required for most expats |
| Germany | Green | Popular for business and leisure travel |
| Spain | Green | High demand during the summer months |
| Italy | Green | Schengen area rules apply |
| Greece | Green | Strong UAE tourist traffic |
| Portugal | Green | Visa-on-arrival for select nationalities |
| Netherlands | Green | Schengen entry via Amsterdam hub |
| Switzerland | Green | Non-Schengen but widely open |
| Sweden | Green | Standard European entry rules |
| Austria | Green | Schengen visa required |
| Belgium | Green | EU standard entry requirements |
If you hold a UAE residence visa and travel on a non-EU passport, please note that you should get a Schengen visa for most green-classified European destinations. Green status means only your requirements in terms of returning to the UAE. It does not influence your visa requirements for the destination.
Green List Countries in Asia
Asia is home to most of the UAE expats. Therefore, this section will be very important for you if you are going to visit your native country or explore other destinations on the continent.
| Country | Status | Key Notes |
| India | Green | Very high travel demand; e-visa available |
| Pakistan | Green | Major expat corridor from UAE |
| Philippines | Green | Large Filipino expat community in UAE |
| Sri Lanka | Green | ETA required on arrival |
| Bangladesh | Green | Frequent travel route for expats |
| Thailand | Green | Visa exemption for UAE passport holders |
| Malaysia | Green | Visa-free for UAE passport holders |
| Singapore | Green | Excellent connectivity from Dubai |
| Japan | Green | Visa-free access for UAE nationals |
| South Korea | Green | Growing tourist destination |
| China | Green | Visa requirements apply; check the latest rules |
| Indonesia | Green | Bali remains a top UAE traveler pick |
Please note that if you travel on a passport from India, Pakistan, the Philippines or Bangladesh, your visa requirements at the destination country will depend on your national passport and not on the UAE resident visa. Always plan and check the requirements of your specific national passport.
Green List Countries in the Middle East & GCC
Traveling within the GCC and Middle East region becomes easier for UAE residents, due to bilateral agreements and travel corridors.
| Country | Status | Key Notes |
| Saudi Arabia | Green | GCC passport holders enjoy seamless entry |
| Bahrain | Green | King Fahd Causeway or direct flights |
| Kuwait | Green | Standard GCC travel rules apply |
| Oman | Green | Popular for weekend road trips |
| Qatar | Green | Normalized travel post-2021 |
| Jordan | Green | Visa on arrival for most nationalities |
| Egypt | Green | High travel demand; e-visa available |
| Lebanon | Green | Check the latest advisory before traveling |
The GCC travel corridor remains the busiest travel corridor. In case you hold a UAE residence visa, moving across the GCC borders is relatively easy, but you should always have your Emirates ID and valid residence documents with you.
Green List Countries in Africa
The presence of Africa in the UAE green list is becoming more and more popular nowadays, due to growing trade relations and tourism development.
| Country | Status | Key Notes |
| South Africa | Green | Popular for safaris and leisure |
| Kenya | Green | ETA required; strong UAE-Kenya trade ties |
| Morocco | Green | Visa-free for UAE passport holders |
| Ethiopia | Green | Major Africa transit hub |
| Tanzania | Green | Zanzibar a top pick for UAE travelers |
| Rwanda | Green | Visa on arrival available |
| Mauritius | Green | Honeymoon and luxury travel favorite |
Africa remains the emerging travel corridor from the UAE. Zanzibar, Mauritius and Rwanda are becoming more and more popular among UAE travelers as they search for cheap and unique green-listed travel destinations.
Green List Countries in the Americas & Oceania
Long-haul traveling to the Americas and Oceania becomes more and more popular from the UAE airports, and most of the destinations in those continents get green status
| Country | Status | Key Notes |
| United States | Green | ESTA or visa required depending on passport |
| Canada | Green | eTA or visa required |
| Australia | Green | ETA or visa required; long-haul favorite |
| New Zealand | Green | NZeTA required for visa-exempt travelers |
| Brazil | Green | Visa requirements vary by nationality |
| Argentina | Green | Visa-free for UAE passport holders |
.
In case you are a UAE citizen who holds a UAE passport, you are lucky as you enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries worldwide, according to the 2024/2025 Henley Passport Index. This privilege will make traveling according to the green list much easier for you.
How to Check If Your Country Is on the UAE Green List Right Now
The green countries list is not a static document, that you can download and keep forever. It changes on a rolling basis, and this is why you should know where you should check this information and when.
Where to Verify Green Country Status
First of all, you should visit the official government or aviation authorities’ websites. Here are the most reliable sources where you can check the status:
- UAE ICA Portal (ica.gov.ae) – the website of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, which publishes the most up-to-date classifications
- GCAA Website (gcaa.gov.ae) – the official website of the General Civil Aviation Authority, which provides aviation-related travel advisories
- Emirates Airlines Travel Information – destination-by-destination entry requirements page, maintained by Emirates Airlines
- Etihad Airways Travel Ready Hub – similar to the Emirates website, a destination-by-destination page with real-time information
- IATA Travel Centre (iata.org) – a globally recognized tool that aggregates information about airline and government entry requirements by route and passport
It is recommended to check at least two of those sources before each of your flights.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Check Your Travel Status Before Flying
Follow the 5 steps below each time you plan international travel from the UAE:
- Visit the official UAE ICA travel portal at ica.gov.ae and navigate to the travel advisories section
- Choose your destination country to view its current classification status
- Select your passport nationality – please note that rules differ depending on whether you hold the UAE passport or travel on a foreign passport with a UAE residence visa
- Check your airline’s specific requirements – even if your destination is green-listed, the airline may require certain documents at the check-in
- Verify the destination country’s own entry requirements – green listing of the destination country does not mean that it has no entry requirements of its own
📊 Did You Know? UAE citizens who hold a UAE passport are among the top 15 countries with the most powerful passports in the world in 2026. UAE citizens have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 destinations worldwide (Henley Passport Index, 2026).
UAE Green List Traveler Requirements
There is one misunderstanding of many travelers: green status does not mean zero requirements. Even if your destination is fully green-listed, you should follow certain baseline rules in terms of leaving the UAE and coming back to the UAE.
Documents You Should Have Even for Green Countries
Regardless of the green classification of the destination country, please make sure that you have the following documents before visiting the airport:
- Valid UAE residence visa or entry permit (for expats – must be valid for the duration of your trip)
- Passport with at least 6 months’ validity from your travel date
- Return or onward ticket confirmation
- Travel insurance – required by some green-list destinations and recommended for any international travel
- Emirates ID – a necessary document for a UAE resident to re-enter the UAE
- Any destination-specific entry documents – visas, ETAs, health declaration forms, etc.
Having this checklist in mind before each of your travels will save you from surprises at the check-in counter.
Changes of 2026 vs Previous Years
Traveling from the UAE in 2026 looks quite different from the strictly controlled period of previous years. Here are the changes:
- PCR tests became obsolete for most green-listed travel corridors – now the biggest pain point of frequent travelers has disappeared
- Health documents became digitized in many cases, and the most important tool for UAE residents has become the ICA Smart App
- Quarantine-on-return rules have become largely obsolete for green-listed destinations – it has become possible to resume your work immediately after return
- Health requirements of airlines have become much more relaxed, but individual carriers may require certain documents for certain routes
The overall picture of 2025 travel becomes normalized, and 2025 becomes the most open and accessible travel environment from the UAE in recent years.
Special Cases – Dual Nationals and Expats
If you are a dual citizen or an expatriate traveling on a foreign passport, you should know how the green list works for you:
- Dual nationals should check which passport they intend to enter each country with – green list classification may differ for each passport
- If you are an expat from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, or another country, you should consider the bilateral agreements of your home country with the destination, but not the UAE’s
- When you are traveling with children on different passports, you should check the requirements for each passport separately, especially if you travel to destinations requiring strict document checks
In case of doubts, contact the destination country’s embassy in the UAE before your travel – it will be the most reliable source of information regarding your particular case.
Countries Newly Added and Removed from the UAE Green List
The green list is never static and it changes quite frequently. Some countries are added or removed from it, and if you are a frequent traveler, it becomes a part of your travel planning.
New Countries Added to the Green List in 2026
Several countries have been upgraded to the green list in 2026 because of expanded bilateral travel agreements and stabilized global health conditions. Main additions are destinations from Southeast Asia, East Africa and parts of Latin America, which were previously classified as amber.
The main drivers of these upgrades are:
- Improved health infrastructure assessment by the WHO
- Established UAE diplomatic and trade relations
- Opening of more direct flight routes from UAE airports
- Consistent reduction of health-related travel risks
Please check the ICA portal regularly for the most up-to-date additions to the list.
Countries Moved Off the Green List
Even though most changes have been positive in 2026, some countries have been moved off the green list due to changing health or geopolitical factors. If your destination has been reclassified after you made your booking, here is what you should do:
- Contact your airline immediately – most of the airlines offer free rebooking or a refund if the destination’s travel classification has changed
- Check your travel insurance policy – most comprehensive policies include coverage of travel classification changes
- Check the ICA portal for classification changes daily in the week before your departure – reclassification can occur very quickly, but there is always a short window before the enforcement begins
- Contact the UAE ICA helpline if you need any clarifications regarding the application of the new requirements to your particular booking
How to Set Up Alerts for Green List Changes
Staying ahead of green list updates does not require too much time. Here is how you can get notified when the list changes:
- Subscribe to UAE government travel alerts via the email notification system of the ICA and GCAA
- Download the ICA Smart App and enable push notifications for travel advisories
- Follow Emirates and Etihad Airlines on their official social media channels – they provide travel updates very quickly
- Use the IATA Travel Centre app to receive real-time route-specific updates regarding your travel itinerary
This will take you only 5 minutes to set up and can save you hours of trouble in the future.
Best Green List Destinations UAE Residents Love in 2026
Beyond the technical side, the green list opens up exciting travel opportunities for UAE residents. Here are the best green-list destinations for UAE residents.
Best Green List Countries for a Weekend Getaway from the UAE
If you have a Friday-Sunday time window, here are the destinations that are perfect for a short getaway:
- Georgia (Tbilisi) – 3 hours from Dubai, visa-free for UAE residents, amazing architecture, and incredibly affordable
- Maldives – 4 hours from Dubai, no visa required, best place for a quick luxury reset
- Sri Lanka – 4 hours from Dubai, ETA on arrival, gaining popularity among UAE residents
- Oman – less than 1 hour of flight, GCC travel corridor, great place for road trips
- Bahrain – less than 1 hour of flight, easy GCC access, vibrant nightlife and food scene
These destinations provide a convenient and inexpensive travel experience.
Best Green List Countries for Long Holidays
If you have more time for traveling, the following green-list destinations will reward you with deeper experiences:
- United Kingdom – London, Scotland and countryside; very popular during UAE school holidays
- France and Spain – the Schengen zone allows you to visit multiple countries on a single visa
- Japan – visa-free for UAE passport holders, increasingly becoming on the travel list of UAE travelers
- Australia – long-haul favorite, especially popular among UAE families and residents with an Australian connection
- United States – New York, California and other major cities; UAE-US travel corridor is one of the busiest travel corridors worldwide
Book these destinations in advance, especially during Eid holidays and UAE National Day – seats fill up very quickly.
Best Green List Destinations for Families
Traveling with children adds another layer to your travel planning. Below are the destinations which are popular among families with children.
- Malaysia – family attractions, halal food everywhere and a great welcoming atmosphere for UAE families
- Turkey – rich history, affordable and great for kids with a variety of beaches and historical places
- Thailand – child-friendly resorts, vibrant market and convenient connection from UAE airports
- Jordan – Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea – educational adventure for the whole family
- Mauritius – safe beaches with calm waters, luxury resorts and great family offers
All these destinations provide easy access, cultural experience and the assurance of green-list status. It will make your family holiday planning much easier.
FAQ About the UAE Green Countries List
Which countries are on the UAE green list in 2026?
UAE green list in 2026 covers the majority of popular destinations, such as most European countries (UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece), key Asian countries (India, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Japan, Singapore), all GCC countries and many destinations of Africa and the Americas. The full list is maintained and updated by the UAE ICA and GCAA. Always verify your particular destination at ica.gov.ae before traveling.
Does the UAE still use the green, amber and red country classification system?
Yes, the UAE continues to use the travel classification system in 2025 with green, amber and red categories. However, the terminology and criteria have changed. GCAA and ICA are the sources of information for the current classification system, and it is recommended to check their portals for the most up-to-date classification.
Can UAE residents travel to green list countries without quarantine?
Yes, in most cases, it is possible. Travel to a green list country means that you will not need mandatory quarantine upon return to the UAE according to current 2026 guidelines. However, you should carry all required travel documents, check your airline requirements and verify if your destination country has any entry requirements of its own. Green status influences your re-entry requirements to the UAE, but not the requirements of the destination country.
How often does the UAE update its green countries list?
UAE updates its green countries list on a rolling basis – there is no monthly or weekly schedule. The changes of classification are triggered by changes in global health data, WHO advisories, diplomatic agreements and aviation safety assessment. As a best practice, it is recommended to verify the classification of the destination country at the official ICA portal at least 72 hours before your departure.
What should I do if my country got reclassified after I made my booking?
If your destination has been reclassified after you made your booking, contact your airline immediately – most of them offer flexible rebooking options in this situation. Check your travel insurance policy for coverage of cancellation or travel disruption. Upon returning to the UAE, you will need to follow the rules of the new classification at the time of your arrival and not the time when you initially booked the travel. UAE ICA helpline can clarify what exactly applies to your situation.
Conclusion
Navigating the UAE green countries list is not a difficult task once you understand how the classification works, which countries have green status and where you should check for the most up-to-date information. The key takeaways are:
Readers Must Love To Read This: Sharjah Parking Timing in UAE
