United Arab Emirates:Visa Requirements

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United Arab Emirates Visa Requirements Map

United Arab Emirates: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • In this category, there is no requirement to fill out a visa application form, present a sponsor, or pay a visa fee before travel. The traveler must present a valid passport or a valid national identity card accepted by the competent authorities for this travel category at the point of entry.
  • If traveling with a passport, the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the United Arab Emirates. Entry with an identity card is only valid for travelers who have the right to use this document as a travel document.
  • There is no universal central application list requiring hotel reservation, bank statement, travel health insurance, photograph, invitation letter, or biometric data for visa-free entry. Border authorities may request information about the purpose of travel, accommodation, and return or onward journey.
  • The number of blank pages required in the passport, common evaluation criteria for damaged passports, and universal requirement for the passport to be biometric or machine-readable are not definitively stated in the central official source. The maximum permitted duration of stay in this category varies according to the scheme applicable to the traveler.

E-Visa Application Requirements

  • Pre-arranged electronic entry permits are processed through ICP's smart services for emirates other than Dubai, and through GDRFA Dubai's website, smart application, or authorized service centers for Dubai. Circumstances where the application must be made by the traveler themselves, a licensed tourism entity, a sponsor in the UAE, employer, educational institution, healthcare facility, or another authorized organization vary according to visa type.
  • The applicant or sponsor must log in to the relevant system, select the desired service, complete the application details, upload the required documents, and pay the calculated fees online. The approved visa may be sent by email and downloaded electronically. It is not definitively stated in the central official source that carrying a printed copy of the electronic visa is mandatory.
  • Single or multiple entry standard tourist visas: The application is made by a licensed tourism entity. One personal photograph, a passport copy, and for some applicants, a national identity document from the country of origin are required. The passport or accepted travel document must be valid for at least six months, the traveler must have a ticket showing departure from the UAE or onward travel to another country, and must present valid health insurance in the UAE.
  • Standard tourist visas can be issued as single or multiple entry, valid for 30 or 60 days. For Dubai applications, the published fee for a single entry visa is 252 AED for 30 days, 352 AED for 60 days, plus 5 percent VAT. The published fee for a multiple entry visa is 300 AED for 30 days, 500 AED for 60 days, plus 5 percent VAT. The total amount may vary depending on the applicant's circumstances and application channel. The published processing time for completed Dubai applications is 48 hours.
  • Five-year multiple entry tourist visa: This visa does not require a sponsor or host in the UAE. The application requires a personal photograph, a copy of the passport valid for at least six months, a bank statement for the last six months, valid health insurance in the UAE, and a return or onward travel ticket.
  • The applicant must document that they had a bank balance of 4,000 US dollars or equivalent in another currency in the six-month period prior to application. The visa is valid for five years from the date of issue. The uninterrupted stay per visit cannot exceed 90 days. An extension for a similar duration may be granted with the approval of the competent authority; however, the total stay cannot exceed 180 days within one year.
  • The published fee through the Dubai channel is 3,713.50 AED, comprising a 100 AED application fee, 500 AED issuance fee, 3,000 AED financial guarantee, and other service charges. The total amount may vary depending on application conditions. The published processing time is 48 hours after all requirements are fulfilled.
  • The minimum coverage amount of health insurance is not definitively stated in the central official source. Apart from the bank balance for the five-year visa, there is no universal minimum bank balance applicable to standard short-term tourist visas.
  • E-visa for residents of Gulf countries: The application requires a valid passport or travel document acceptable for entry into the country, a copy of the residence permit or an electronic record showing the profession and validity period of the residence permit, and a personal photograph with a white background. The passport or travel document must be valid for at least six months.
  • The residence permit must be valid for at least one year at the date of arrival in the UAE, and the applicant's profession must be acceptable according to the assessment of the competent authority. There must be no restriction preventing the applicant from entering the country.
  • The entry permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and allows a stay of 30 days after entry. It can be extended once for 30 days. The fee through the Dubai channel is 250 AED plus 5 percent VAT. The published processing time is 48 hours. The approved document is sent to the applicant's email address.
  • Electronic visas issued for visiting relatives or friends: The application includes a passport copy, personal photograph, reason for visit, and documents proving family ties. Depending on the type of family relationship, a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or another official relationship document may be required. Depending on the sponsor's employment status, a salary letter, employment contract, or partnership agreement may be requested. Some applicants are also required to provide a national identity document from the country of origin.
  • For applications sponsored by a foreign resident in the UAE, the sponsor's monthly income must be at least 4,000 AED for first-degree relatives, at least 8,000 AED for second or third-degree relatives, and at least 15,000 AED for visiting friends. The degree of relationship must be proven with official documents.
  • For a single entry relative or friend visit application in Dubai, two personal photographs are among the published requirements. The visa can be issued for 30, 60, or 90 days. The visa fee, health insurance cost, and financial guarantee vary according to the duration of stay and whether it is single or multiple entry.
  • Other visit purposes: For applications for medical treatment, a medical report and a letter from the healthcare facility in the UAE explaining the reason for the visit may be required. For applications as a patient attendant, a document showing family ties, reason for visit, and an approval letter from the health authority may be requested.
  • For education, research, or vocational training applications, a document from the university, college, research institution, or educational organization showing acceptance or enrollment is required. For temporary work assignment applications, an employment contract, a letter from the employer in the UAE, a temporary assignment contract, or a letter explaining the purpose of entry, and in required categories, a certified certificate of good conduct may be requested. For business or investment opportunity research applications, investment, professional activity, or adequate financial capacity must be proven. For event-related applications, a letter from the host organization in the UAE specifying the nature and duration of the event is required.
  • These documents are not common to all e-visa applicants. The exact list is generated by the system after selecting the visa type, purpose of travel, sponsor, emirate of application, applicant's passport type, and country of residence.
  • No single central technical standard has been published regarding the exact dimensions, file format, maximum file size, and date of capture for the photograph. The number of blank pages required in the passport is not definitively stated in the central official source. The minimum amount in the bank account for standard tourist visas is not definitively stated in the central official source. The minimum coverage amount of health insurance is not definitively stated in the central official source.
  • A single nationwide timeframe for how many days before travel the application must be submitted is not definitively stated in the central official source. For most of the services examined in Dubai, a processing time of 48 hours for completed applications has been published; however, the duration may be extended if additional review or if documents are missing.
  • A routine fingerprinting or interview requirement for short-term visit and tourist e-visas is not definitively stated in the central official source.

Visa on Arrival Requirements

  • Travelers eligible for a standard visa on arrival do not need to apply for a visa before travel. The traveler presents a valid passport at immigration control, and if found eligible, an entry permit is stamped in the passport.
  • The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the UAE. Official diplomatic mission sources also indicate a return ticket or an airline ticket showing onward travel to another country among entry conditions.
  • Whether the permit issued on arrival is for 14, 30, 60, or 90 days; whether it is issued as single or multiple entry; whether it is free or subject to a fee; and whether it can be extended varies depending on the scheme applicable to the traveler. There is no single fee, duration of stay, or right of extension applicable to all visa-on-arrival travelers.
  • GDRFA Dubai also operates a special service, under the name 'visa on arrival,' where prior online approval is obtained for eligible holders of ordinary passports with certain residence permits. This service requires a recent, color personal photograph with a white background; a copy of the passport valid for at least six months; and a valid residence permit from a country accepted by the competent authority.
  • The applicant must create a user account in the GDRFA Dubai system, select the service, fill in personal details, and pay the fee. The approved visa is sent by email. The published processing time is 48 hours.
  • Under this special service, the fee for a 14-day visa is 172.50 AED, and for a 60-day visa is 422.50 AED. The 14-day visa can be extended once for the same duration. The 60-day visa cannot be extended.
  • The exact dimensions and file format of the photograph are not definitively stated in the central official source. The number of blank pages required in the passport is not definitively stated in the central official source. The financial capacity amount, bank statement period, and insurance coverage for standard visa-on-arrival travelers are not definitively stated in the central official source.
  • Acceptance of temporary passports and travel documents issued in lieu of passports varies depending on the type of document and the issuing country. No single nationwide acceptance list for such documents has been published.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • UAE diplomatic missions generally do not accept ordinary tourist and transit visa applications. Ordinary tourist, visit, work, and transit entry permits are arranged through a sponsor in the UAE or the competent immigration authority.
  • However, some UAE embassies conduct limited consular visa processing for passports used for diplomatic, official, service, or government duties. Whether the application is accepted depends on the passport type, the mission to which application is made, the purpose of travel, and bilateral agreements.
  • In these applications, the form must be completed electronically or by computer; handwritten forms are not accepted by some missions. An original passport valid for at least six months, signed by the holder, and a color copy or scan of the passport are submitted. Some missions require a color scan of the passport cover and the first page containing identification details.
  • Generally, two recent, color photographs with a white background are required. Some missions have published the photograph size as 4 × 6 centimeters. Since the photograph size and number may vary by mission, the checklist of the mission to which the application is made should be used as the basis.
  • A note verbale in English or Arabic must be provided by the sending government agency, diplomatic mission, consulate, United Nations organization, or relevant international organization. The note must include the applicant's name, position or status, passport type and number, purpose of travel, sponsor or contact person in the UAE, arrival and departure dates, and intended duration of stay.
  • When a multiple entry visa is requested, a detailed schedule showing official meetings in the UAE and travel dates may be required. Some missions also require the accommodation address in the UAE and the sponsor's contact details on the form.
  • In some consular applications where minors travel alone or with only one parent, a parental or legal guardian consent letter is required. The document may need to be translated into Arabic, certified by the relevant country's foreign affairs authority, and approved by the UAE mission. The age limit and certification procedure vary by mission.
  • There are cases where fee exemption may apply for diplomatic and official passport visas. Fees for ordinary or government-sponsored special applications vary by mission. A single fee and payment method applicable to all missions is not definitively stated in the central official source.
  • Processing time varies by mission and depending on the prior approval to be obtained from UAE authorities. Some missions publish a period of two business days, others up to 14 days. A single consular processing time valid nationwide is not definitively stated in the central official source.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • The UAE issues 48-hour and 96-hour transit visas. These visas are single entry and non-extendable. The application is made by the UAE-based airline the traveler is flying with or an authorized airport services entity; UAE embassies do not issue ordinary transit visas.
  • The traveler must present a valid passport or travel document acceptable for entry into the country. The passport or travel document must be valid for at least six months. The traveler must present a confirmed ticket showing onward travel to a third country via the UAE. The point of origin and subsequent destination must be different.
  • For the 96-hour transit visa in Dubai, the transit time must be at least eight hours and a maximum of 96 hours. The visa may only be used by travelers transiting through the country's airports to proceed to another country. The traveler must leave the UAE before the visa expires.
  • The application requires a personal photograph with a white background, a valid passport or travel document, and a ticket for the onward flight. The exact dimensions, date of capture, and electronic file format of the photograph are not definitively stated in the central official source.
  • The published official fee for the 96-hour transit visa in Dubai is 50 AED. The airline or intermediary service entity may charge an additional service fee. The published processing time is 48 hours. The current total fee, application channel, and intermediary service fee for the 48-hour transit visa are not definitively stated in the central official source.
  • The transit visa does not require a single universal list of documents nationwide for hotel reservation, bank statement, a specific financial capacity amount, or travel health insurance. The airline may request additional information subject to operational and immigration assessment.
Population
11,574,682(2026 est.)
Official language
Arabic
Government type
Federation of monarchies
Continent
Asia
Capital
Abu Dhabi
Currency
UAE dirham
Area
83,600 km²
Phone code
+971

United Arab Emirates: Key Destinations

The United Arab Emirates is anchored by its two principal cities: the capital Abu Dhabi and the dynamic hub of Dubai. Dubai International Airport serves as the primary gateway for international arrivals, while Abu Dhabi International Airport also handles significant traffic.

Dubai is known for its modern skyline, luxury shopping, and attractions such as the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah. Abu Dhabi offers cultural landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and thriving business districts, while Sharjah provides a more traditional Emirati experience.

Travelers often begin their journey in Dubai before moving to Abu Dhabi via a short drive. Other emirates like Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah are easily accessible by road, allowing visitors to explore diverse landscapes from desert dunes to pristine coastlines.