UAE tourist visa: how to apply and what it costs

A tourist visa is meant for nationalities that are not eligible for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes the list of visa exemptions; if your nationality is marked visa required, boarding is refused without an approved permit.

Residents of other Gulf (GCC) states have a separate online eVisa track that requires GCC residence valid for at least one year and a profession on an approved list; it gives 30 days, extendable once by 30 days.

UAE missions do not issue tourist visas. You can apply through a UAE airline you are flying with (Emirates, Etihad and flydubai each set their own conditions), a licensed UAE travel agent or a hotel where you hold a booking, or directly online with ICP or GDRFA Dubai.

The 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa is open to every nationality and needs no UAE host. It is self-sponsored and requires proof of funds, health insurance covering 180 days and an onward or return ticket.

GDRFA Dubai charges AED 200 for a 30-day single-entry tourist visa and AED 300 for 60 days, and AED 300 or AED 500 for 30- or 60-day multiple-entry visas, each plus 5% VAT. If the visa is processed while you are already in the country, GDRFA adds an in-country fee of AED 500 and two AED 10 charges.

Airlines and travel agents add service charges on top of government fees, so the final price you are quoted will be higher. ICP uses a different fee structure built from an application fee, an issuance fee and a smart-services fee.

GDRFA Dubai gives an expected completion of about 48 hours; ICP lists 2 days. The approved permit must be used within 60 days of issue, so do not apply too early. Overstaying costs AED 50 per day according to ICP.

Tourist visas can be extended from inside the country through the issuing authority, within the limits of the visa type. Holders of the 5-year visa may stay up to 90 days per visit, extend once by another 90 days, and must not exceed 180 days in a year.

Check that an agent is a genuine licensed company before paying or sending documents; the UAE government portal advises this and says the UAE embassy in your country can help verify. Nationals of Iraq, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan must also upload their national identity card.

A tourist visa does not allow employment. Anyone planning to look for work should use the job-seeker visit visa instead, which exists precisely for that purpose.