Tourists need an original valid passport; UAE residents can use their Emirates ID, and GCC nationals can use a GCC ID. Bring your booking confirmation and a payment card for the security deposit and incidentals — hotels are required by UAE regulation to scan a valid ID for every check-in.
Which ID is accepted
- Visitors — an original passport. Photocopies and phone photos are not accepted.
- UAE residents — Emirates ID.
- GCC nationals — a GCC national ID.
Scanning and recording your ID is a legal requirement for every hotel in Dubai, not a house rule — the front desk cannot skip it, however late you arrive.
What else to bring
Have your booking confirmation ready — it is in your confirmation email and on your booking in My Trips. You will also need a payment card (or cash at some hotels) for the security deposit hold and the Tourism Dirham fee, both settled at the property. Your room itself is already paid online.
Names must match
The name on the booking must match the ID of the guest checking in. Double-check the spelling of the lead guest's name at checkout — a mismatch is the most common cause of check-in friction, and hotels can refuse a guest whose ID does not match the reservation.
Passport validity
Your passport should comfortably outlast your stay — UAE entry rules generally expect around six months' validity, so check it before you book flights and rooms. Rules are set by the UAE authorities and can change, so verify for your nationality before travelling.
Room not booked yet? Search Dubai hotels or find more answers in hotels help.