Dubai Arrival Card Guide: Do You Need an Arrival Card?

Dubai is one of the world's busiest travel destinations because millions of the passengers all over the world tend to visit Dubai every year.

You need to complete Dubai Arrival Card before entering the United Arab Emirates (UAE), whether you are on business trips or leisure trips.

This form is required to fill in because the trip details, health condition and items declaration will helps the country safe and protect public health.

What Is The UAE Arrival Card?

The Dubai Arrival Card, is an entry form that collects about personal information, flight and contact and address details of staying.

This is separated from Dubai Visa and serves as both immigration record and customs declaration as UAE has strict border and customs rules.

The reason you have to do it earlier as it will saves your time at the immigration and customs for fast processing.

Who Needs to Fill Out The UAE Arrival Card?

Most of the travellers need to fill and complete this Dubai Arrival Card either on paper or through airport digital systems.

For high-value cash and valuables above the official threshold, the UAE also operates a separate digital customs system called Afseh at selected airports, which can be completed online before departure for faster clearance.

Dubai Arrival Card Is On Paper Or Digital?

Not always, as many United Arab Emirates entry points of arrival, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi may be full digital or partly digital.

If the paper form is required on arrival, cabin crew usually distribute it during flight but if it is not distributed, the airport staff will guide you to fill the form.

It is depends on your arrival and flight, you should experience the procedures such as:

• A paper Arrival or Customs Declaration Card given by the airline before landing
• Digital entry processing completed directly at immigration counters
• Smart gates or e-gates, where passport checks are handled electronically
• A separate customs declaration only if you are carrying items that must be declared

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How to Fill Out the Dubai Arrival Card

Step 1: Get The Form

• You can get it from the cabin crew before landed or can get it at the airport before immigration
• Make sure to prepare a pen so you do not have to asking from anyone else.

Step 2: Write Personal Information

• Full name exactly as in your passport
• Passport number and nationality
• Date of birth and contact number
• Address in the UAE (hotel name or the full address of family/friends you are staying with)

Step 3: Fill in Travel Details

• Flight number of your arriving flight
• Date of arrival
• Country / city of departure (last port before the UAE)
• Purpose of visit (tourism, business, visiting family, etc.)
• Intended length of stay in days

Step 4: Customs Declaration

You must answer yes or no to each item stated and when in doubt, it is safer to just declare to avoid penalties.

• Food, plants, or animal products – Declare them if you have any.
• Medicines – Regular prescription medicine is fine, but bring it in the original packaging with your doctor’s note. If it’s strong or controlled, you should declare it.
• Cash and valuables – If you are carrying more than AED 60,000 in cash or valuables, you must declare it.
• Alcohol and tobacco – Allowed within duty-free limits (up to 4 liters of alcohol, 400 cigarettes, or 50 cigars). Anything above that, declare.
• Restricted items – Things like drones, satellite phones, or special equipment should always be declared.

Other Required Documents for Entry to the UAE

Valid Passport

• Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in the UAE.
• Keep it clean and undamaged. No torn pages, water stains, or broken covers.

Return or Onward Ticket

• Be ready to show proof of when and how you are leaving the UAE.
• A return flight to the Philippines or a connecting flight to another country is acceptable.
• Digital or printed copies both work. Just keep them easy to access.

Visa (If Required)

• Singapore travelers usually do not need a UAE tourist visa before flying but if you are from another country, you may need one.
• Apply online or through an accredited agency a few days before your trip.
• If you’re staying for work, study, or a longer visit, make sure you have the correct visa type before boarding.

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Follow Arrivals and Passport Control Signs

• After arrive, you will walk along the arrival corridor and follow the marked signs for Arrivals or Passport Control.
• Do not worry as the marked signs have multilingual signage.

Clear Immigration

You can choose the correct lane:

• Smart Gate Lane: The gate is available when the requirement of a minimum height of 1.2 meters. The families with children and guests under 1.2 meters in height are ineligible so they have to lined up at the immigration counter.
• Visitors / Visa on Arrival Counter: Queue at the counter and hand over your passport, completed arrival card and any visa documentation. Then the staff will stamped your passport.

Collect Baggage

• After settle on immigration, you can head to baggage claim hall.
• Check the information screens for your flight number and carousel number.

Pass the Customs

• Use the green channel if you have nothing to declare and within duty-free limits
• Use red channel if you have goods to declare.

Exit at Arrivals Hall

• Once cleared everything, you can exit to the main arrivals area and enjoy your trip to Dubai!