A first-timers guide to understanding the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
In this section of our travel blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about legally entering Abu Dhabi as a tourist, as well as the religion, dress code, and customs all visitors should be aware of when planning a trip there.
Tourist Visas for Abu Dhabi
To enter the UAE as a tourist, everyone except GCC nationals (passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman & Bahrain) needs a Tourist Visa.
However, for many nationalities, the tourist visa is free on arrival for either 30 or 90 days.
If you are not from one of these countries, you can apply through your airline or a travel agent for a transit visa (free for 48 hours if arranged in advance, or 50AED for 96 hours) or, if staying longer, a 30-day or 90-day eVisa (these come in single and multiple entry).
If you have overstayed your UAE tourist visa or wish to renew a 30-day visa, click over to this article, where we detail how to do a “visa run” from Dubai (the same rules are applicable from Abu Dhabi).
Note we are not a Tour Agency registered in the UAE. We cannot help you with this step!
Religion in Abu Dhabi
The UAE is a Muslim country with a Sunni Muslim majority of approximately 76%. The country’s laws are based on a civil law system and Sharia law, which may have some key differences from the legal systems with which tourists are familiar.
- You can learn more about “the Call to Prayer” and Islamic practices in the UAE here
- You can see a full guide to Abu Dhabi Religious and Public Holidays to be aware of here
- You can find a full tourist guide to the Holy Month of Ramadan in Abu Dhabi here
Dresscode in Abu Dhabi
In a Muslim country, there may be a stricter standard of dress expected of you than you normally experience in your home country. Whilst there is no need for non-muslim tourists to be fully covered, tourists are expected to be respectful of the culture and dress in a conservative manner in public places.
The difference between public and private places, as well as what’s considered appropriate, can be tricky in some situations, so we have a detailed guide here to help you navigate the Abu Dhabi dress code.
We specifically cover dress codes at these important venues:
The Do’s and Don’t Every First-Time Visitor to Abu Dhabi Should Be Aware Of
Particularly if you’ve never visited a more conservative Muslim country before, there may be a few social rules and strict laws you are unaware of that could land you in trouble with the law.
We also have these detailed guides that may help you understand local laws and customs to be aware of:
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Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our hotel or tour recommendation links.
Abu Dhabi Travel Planner