Over the years, Dubai has strengthened its position as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. And it’s not difficult to guess why the city is popular with visitors. Not many places can rival attractions like the world’s tallest tower – Burj Khalifa, glitzy shopping malls and artificial islands in Dubai. As a result, the number of people interested in getting a Dubai tourist visa grows yearly.
Do you need a visa to travel to Dubai? Let’s find out.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DUBAI TOURIST VISAS
The Dubai government has a pretty ‘easy to understand’ visa policy for tourists. And next is a general overview of the whole process, where we shall look into the different types of Dubai tourist visas and the documentation needed to apply.
If you plan to visit Dubai soon, this blog is for you. Remember, you must get a tourist visa if you visit the city for leisure activities.
FIVE-YEAR MULTIPLE ENTRY TOURIST VISA
This visa benefits families of expats residing in the UAE as they can visit their loved ones easily without having to go through the application process multiple times.
Passport holders of all nationalities can apply for the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa as approved by the UAE Cabinet during a meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The visa based on self-sponsorship will allow the individual to stay in the country for up to 90 days. Furthermore, valid 5-year tourist visa holders can request an extension for 90 days to enter and exit the UAE as often as they need to.
MULTI-ENTRY TOURIST VISA
The government had announced a new multi-entry tourist visa earlier in 2022, which will be implemented starting in September. The stay on the visa is up to 90 days but can be extended for another 90. Please remember that the visit cannot exceed 180 days within `12 months.
Tourists do not require a sponsor. However, a six-month bank statement reflecting a 4,000 US dollar balance (or equivalent in other currencies) has to be submitted with the visa application.
DUBAI VISA ON ARRIVAL
Passport holders of some countries do not require a visa to visit Dubai. If you belong to any of these nations, you can buy a ticket and start your dream vacation.
DUBAI VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR 30 DAYS
Citizens of the following 19 countries are offered a 30-day visa on arrival facility. As stated earlier, if you are a passport holder of any of the countries listed below, you don’t need any prior visa arrangements to visit Dubai and the UAE.
- Andorra
- Australia
- Brunei
- Canada
- Hong Kong, China
- Macau, China
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Ukraine
- The United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
- United States of America
- Vatican City
DUBAI VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR 90 DAYS
The passport holders of the following countries or territories are offered a multiple-entry, 90-day visit visa that remains valid for six months.
- Argentina
- Austria
- Bahamas Islands
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Kiribati
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Maldives
- Malta
- Montenegro
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Uruguay
DUBAI VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR 180 DAYS
Mexican passport holders are eligible for a multi-entry, 180-day visa on arrival that remains valid for six months.
DUBAI VISIT VISA FOR GCC NATIONALS AND RESIDENTS
GCC nationals are eligible for visas on arrival. However, GCC residents must apply for a visa before arriving in the UAE.
DUBAI TOURIST VISAS ON ARRIVAL FOR INDIAN NATIONALS
Indian nationals with a valid visit visa or a green card issued by the USA, valid residence visa of the UK or EU residency can get a visa on arrival for 14 days in the UAE. All visas or residence permits should have at least a six months validity from the date of arrival into the UAE.
DUBAI TOURIST VISAS FEES
Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
Visa Type Transit visa 48-Hour | Fee AED 37 |
Visa Type Transit Visa 96-Hours | Fee AED 110 |
Visa Type Tourist Visa (Single Entry) | Fee AED 330 |
Visa Type Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry) | Fee AED 642 |
Visa Type Tourist Visa (Long Term-Single Entry) | Fee AED 698 |
Visa Type Tourist Visa (Long Term-Multiple Entry) | Fee AED 1698 |
Visa Type Multiple Entry Tourist Visa | Fee AED 700 |
Visa Type Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (Without Sponsor) | Fee TBA |
* Fee is subject to change according to the service provider
HOW TO APPLY FOR A TOURIST VISA?
Tourist Visas or entry permits are typically offered via a sponsor, which can be:
- A UAE-based airline
- A UAE-based hotel or tour agent
UAE residents can also sponsor friends and family for visit visas, provided certain conditions are met.
APPLYING FOR A VISA THROUGH TOUR AGENTS OR HOTELS BASED IN UAE
There are a plethora of tour companies and hotels that will assist you in your visa arrangements. Also, you can find many tour agents and hotels offering these services online. To confirm their authenticity, you can always contact a local UAE embassy.
APPLYING FOR A VISA THROUGH AN AIRLINE
The following four airlines provide visa services needed to enter Dubai:
- Etihad Airways
- Emirates Airline
- Fly Dubai
- Air Arabia
* Visa services are offered when you start buying tickets from the airline.
MANDATORY DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR DUBAI TOURIST VISAS
The following documents are mandatory for anyone applying for a Dubai tourist visa:
- Completed visa form
- 6*6cm photograph (600*600 pixels) with a white background
- Coloured copy of your passport. Some countries’ passports have important info on the last page. Coloured copies of the last page will also be required in this case
- A passport valid for at least six months at the time of travel
- Confirmed tickets to and from Dubai International Airport
Please note that:
- More documents might be required depending on your nationality
- The time required for the issuance of a visa can vary for each case
RENEWING OR EXTENDING A TOURIST VISA
All tourist visas can be extended for thirty days twice without leaving the country. Renewal will cost AED 600. However, a penalty will have to be paid if you apply for a Dubai tourist visa renewal after expiry.
FAQS
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A UAE VISIT VISA AFTER COMPLETING THE APPLICATION?
Under normal circumstances, you will be issued a visit visa within 4-5 working days, provided all the required documents have been submitted.
IS A SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED WHILE APPLYING FOR A VISIT VISA IN DUBAI?
Visitors of certain nationalities are required to pay a security deposit, and the info regarding this will be supplied at the time of application. This deposit will be refunded within four to seven working days once you exit the country.
DO CHILDREN NEED A VISA TO VISIT DUBAI?
Yes, visitors of all ages must have valid travel documents, including passports and visas, while travelling to the UAE.
Undoubtedly, Dubai is an international visitor’s destination of choice for its rich culture and glamorous city lifestyle. And the relatively simple and rapid visa process is a big positive. If you have family members or friends residing in different parts of the world, Dubai could be an ideal location to plan a get-together. In fact, all your family and friends can apply for Dubai tourist visas from the same tour company or airline.
Moving around the city isn’t a hassle either. For instance, tourists only need basic documents to rent a car in Dubai. Not to mention, there are many apps for Dubai tourists that can make your trip fun and comfortable.
If you want to move to UAE for the long term, you would need a UAE residence visa. If you already have one, make sure to keep track of the validity. Our guide on UAE visa status can be helpful! Read our Dubai visas guide to learn more about the different types of visas.
