UAE residents · Country guide
Canada visa for UAE residents
In brief
No, UAE residence does not change the rule for Canada: your passport decides.
Indian passportVisa requiredVisitor visa: online application, biometrics at the VFS Global centre in Abu Dhabi or Dubai; UAE residence gives no exemption.
Pakistani passportVisa requiredVisitor visa: online application, biometrics at the VFS Global centre in Abu Dhabi or Dubai; UAE residence gives no exemption.
Filipino passportConditionalVisitor visa, unless flying in with an eTA: possible only if the traveller held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or holds a valid US nonimmigrant visa.
Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship CanadaReport a change
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ContentsIn brief
Canada rules for UAE residents, by passport
| Passport | With UAE residence | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian | Visa required | Visitor visa: online application, biometrics at the VFS Global centre in Abu Dhabi or Dubai; UAE residence gives no exemption. | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada |
| Pakistani | Visa required | Visitor visa: online application, biometrics at the VFS Global centre in Abu Dhabi or Dubai; UAE residence gives no exemption. | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada |
| Filipino | Conditional | Visitor visa, unless flying in with an eTA: possible only if the traveller held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or holds a valid US nonimmigrant visa. | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship CanadaImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada |
Who qualifies through UAE residence
UAE residence alone doesn't open a route into Canada: the rules below depend on your passport, or on a visa or residence permit of another country.
India, Pakistan and the Philippines are on Canada's visitor-visa list; some Filipino citizens may qualify for an eTA instead.
If you’re a citizen of any of the countries or territories listed below, you need a valid visitor visa and a valid passport to visit or transit through Canada. … Philippines (Some citizens of the Philippines may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checkedFilipino passport: Filipinos flying to Canada can use an eTA instead of a visa only if they held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or now hold a valid US nonimmigrant visa.
You're flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport using a valid passport … You've held a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) in the past 10 years … you currently hold a valid United States (US) nonimmigrant visa (NIV).
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked
How to apply from the UAE
IRCC lists visa application centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, linking to VFS Global (visa.vfsglobal.com/are/en/can).
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked
Fees
The visitor visa costs CAD 100 per person plus CAD 85 for biometrics; the eTA costs CAD 7.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked
These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees.
Processing time
IRCC's processing times change often, so we don't quote a number: check the current time for applications from the UAE on IRCC's processing-times tool.
Documents for UAE residents
Not stated by the official sources we read, beyond a valid passport and your UAE residence visa.
Indian, Pakistani and Filipino passports
Indian passport
Visa required Visitor visa: online application, biometrics at the VFS Global centre in Abu Dhabi or Dubai; UAE residence gives no exemption.
Without UAE residence: Indian passport → Canada.
Pakistani passport
Visa required Visitor visa: online application, biometrics at the VFS Global centre in Abu Dhabi or Dubai; UAE residence gives no exemption.
Every destination for this passport: Pakistan passport.
Filipino passport
Conditional Visitor visa, unless flying in with an eTA: possible only if the traveller held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or holds a valid US nonimmigrant visa.
Every destination for this passport: Philippines passport.
FAQ
Can I go to Canada with an UAE residence visa?
Not on residence alone: UAE residence does not change the rule. Indian and Pakistani passports: visa required; Filipino passport: conditional; the table above gives the conditions.
Can UAE residents get a visa on arrival?
Not on the official pages we read. Indian and Pakistani passports: visa required; Filipino passport: conditional.
How much is the Canada visa fee for UAE residents?
The visitor visa costs CAD 100 per person plus CAD 85 for biometrics; the eTA costs CAD 7.
How long is the waiting time from Dubai?
IRCC's processing times change often, so we don't quote a number: check the current time on IRCC's processing-times tool.
Sources
Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): rules for UAE residents
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): rules for UAE residents
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): fees
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): applying from the UAE
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): processing time
More destinations: visa-free countries for UAE residents · Canada entry rules by nationality · all guides for UAE residents.