Customs and immigration on a private flight to the UAE
Every private or charter arrival needs a landing permit from the emirate where it lands. Visa and customs rules are federal and apply to every traveller.
- Passport validity
- 6 months from entry
- GCC citizens
- No visa needed
- Cash declaration
- Over AED 60,000
- Gifts allowance
- AED 3,000
How arrival works
The operator needs a landing permit from the civil aviation authority of the emirate where the aircraft lands. Each passenger needs a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry and either a visa on arrival, a visa or entry permit arranged before travel, or GCC citizenship.
Landing permits are issued by each emirate's civil aviation authority, not by one national office. Immigration and customs rules are federal and apply at every airport.
The operator and the ground handler arrange the permit and send passenger details ahead. Tell us every passenger's nationality when you ask for a quote so we can confirm visa needs before the flight is booked.
Sources:UAE Government portal: do you need an entry permit or a visa to enter the UAE?UAE Government portal (u.ae), updated 30 September 2026: customs clearance for travellersUniversal Weather and Aviation: UAE landing and overflight permit requirements (trade guide)
Landing permits by emirate
Private and charter flights need a landing permit from the civil aviation authority of the emirate where they land. A trade guide from Universal Weather lists these airports and says requests normally need at least four business days' notice, though shorter notice may be accepted.
| Emirate | Airports | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Dubai International (OMDB), Al Maktoum (OMDW) | DCAA landing permits require an operator certificate and airworthiness certificate from the GCAA or another recognised authority |
| Abu Dhabi | Zayed International (OMAA), Al Bateen Executive (OMAD) | Permit from the Abu Dhabi authority |
| Sharjah | Sharjah (OMSJ) | Permit from the Sharjah authority |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Ras Al Khaimah (OMRK) | Documents submitted with the permit request |
| Fujairah | Fujairah (OMFJ) | Permit from the Fujairah authority |
We could not read the UAE AIP GEN 1.2 and GEN 1.3 sections online, so notice periods here come from the trade guide and the Dubai resolution. The operator confirms the permit on every flight.
Sources:Universal Weather and Aviation: UAE landing and overflight permit requirements (trade guide)Dubai Legislation Portal: DCAA Administrative Resolution No. 20 of 2023 approving the conditions and procedures for issuing civil aviation permits in the Emirate of Dubai
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
Passports and visas
- Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
- GCC citizens do not need a visa to enter the UAE.
- Citizens of listed countries can get a visa on arrival, for 30 days or 90 days depending on nationality. The lists change, so the government advises checking with the UAE embassy.
- Indian citizens with a normal passport and a valid US visa or green card (valid for at least six months) can get a visa on arrival for up to 14 days.
- Everyone else needs a sponsored entry permit before arriving.
- People who have been deported from or banned from the UAE need special permission to re-enter.
Sources:UAE Government portal: do you need an entry permit or a visa to enter the UAE?
Customs allowances and declarations
Some goods need approval before you travel: live animals and plants (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment), medicines (Ministry of Health and Prevention), weapons, and wireless transmitters among them. Drugs, counterfeit currency and gambling equipment are prohibited.
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Cash and valuables | Declare over AED 60,000 or the equivalent, on entry or exit. Covers cash, financial instruments, precious metals and valuable stones. Amounts carried by under-18s count toward the accompanying adult's limit. |
| Gifts, perfume and personal items | Duty-free up to AED 3,000 in total, in non-commercial quantities |
| Tobacco | 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 500 g of tobacco |
| Alcohol | Up to 4 litres, or 2 cartons of beer (24 cans each, up to 355 ml per can) |
| Above the allowances | Customs duty plus VAT |
Declarations go to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), online at declare.customs.ae or through the Afseh app. The gifts allowance does not apply to crew of the conveyance.
Sources:UAE Government portal (u.ae), updated 30 September 2026: customs clearance for travellers
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistDo I need a visa to fly privately to Dubai?+
It depends on nationality. GCC citizens do not. Citizens of listed countries get a visa on arrival; others need a sponsored entry permit before arriving. The same rules apply on a private flight.
How much cash can I bring into the UAE?+
You must declare cash, financial instruments, precious metals and valuable stones worth more than AED 60,000, on entry or on exit.
Who arranges the landing permit?+
The operator, usually through its ground handler, applies to the civil aviation authority of the emirate where you land.
How valid must my passport be?+
At least six months from the date you enter the UAE.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 19 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.UAE Government portal: do you need an entry permit or a visa to enter the UAE?
- 2.UAE Government portal (u.ae), updated 30 September 2026: customs clearance for travellers
- 3.Universal Weather and Aviation: UAE landing and overflight permit requirements (trade guide)
- 4.Dubai Legislation Portal: DCAA Administrative Resolution No. 20 of 2023 approving the conditions and procedures for issuing civil aviation permits in the Emirate of Dubai
Permits and paperwork handled.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.