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UAE Tourist Visa Guide: How to Apply, Fees, Documents and More

Here is how to apply for a tourist visa in UAE, including the documents required and fees

Planning a trip to the UAE? Make sure you get a UAE tourist visa first! The UAE is home to some of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world.

From pristine beaches to towering skyscrapers and world-class shopping malls, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful country.

With so many amazing attractions, it’s no wonder people are flocking here in droves. With a UAE tourist visa, you can experience everything the country offers.

But what about the visa? Don’t worry – we got you covered. Getting a tourist visa is not difficult.

Our UAE tourist visa guide will take you through all the steps and make sure everything goes smoothly. Let’s get you started on your visa application right away!

What are the UAE tourist visa requirements?

The UAE tourist visa is not too difficult to obtain. But there are a few things that you will need so that you can apply for your UAE tourist visa online.

You need to be in contact with an airline for the visa processing. Here are the documents required for uae tourist visa: [1]Emirates, “UAE visa information ,https://www.emirates.com/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/#:~:text=Required%20documents,the%20Emirates%20ticket”

  • Applicant’s photograph
  • Copy of the applicant’s passport
  • Visa application form
  • A copy of your plane ticket

You will need a valid national ID card if you are from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan.

Besides the required documents, here are the things you will need to know before you apply for a visa: [2]Emirates, “UAE visa information, https://www.emirates.com/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/#:~:text=180%E2%80%91day%20visit%20eligibility”

  • Your passport should be valid for at least six months following the date of arrival in UAE.
  • All the fees must be paid while submitting your visa application form.
  • You need to pay additional visa processing fees that may apply.
  • Your age must be at least 18 if you want to travel alone. If not, you need a parent with a similar type of visa.
  • Visit visa fees are non-refundable. So only fill out the visa application if you are 100% sure you want to enter the UAE as a tourist.
  • A UAE visa will let you stay in the country for at least 30 days and at most 90 days.
  • Your UAE visa can also be extended, but even if you get a multiple-entry 6-month visa, you can only stay for 90 days. The only exceptions are the 48-hour and 96-hour visas.
  • The processing time for your Dubai tourist visa is 3 to 4 working days.
  • Passengers with Mexican passports can obtain a multiple-entry visa for six months and stay for 180 days (6 months).

How to apply for UAE tourist visa?

uae tourist visa - how to apply for tourist visa

Unlike other visas, the embassy does not issue a UAE tourist visa. To apply for a tourist visa, you need to contact an airline, tourism company, or your hotel.

UAE allows passport holders of many countries to receive a visa on arrival for 30 days. Some of those countries are Australia, Andorra, Canada, Brunei, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Malaysia, New Zealand, Monaco, San Marino, Republic of Ireland, Ukraine, Singapore, USA, UK & Northern Ireland, USA, and Vatican City, among others. [3]Emirates, “UAE visa information, https://www.emirates.com/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/#:~:text=30%E2%80%91day%20visit,free%20of%20charge” Make sure to check if your country’s citizens also get a visa on arrival.

Below, we have described a few ways to complete a visa application for a few airlines. It’s worth noting that the application process isn’t much different from other airlines. Just contact them to get any help you need.

How to apply UAE tourist visa via Emirates airlines?

If you are travelling on the Emirates airline from countries without a visa-on-arrival provision, you are required to follow these steps to apply online for a Dubai tourist visa:

  1. Download their Emirates application form.
  2. Choose the duration of your stay in the ‘Visa type’ section.
  3. On the ‘Passenger details’ section, choose your marital status and gender.
  4. Enter the necessary names, passport details, and other information along with the PNR and ticket number.
  5. Enter the details of your sponsor and their signature on the form.
  6. Submit the application, your photograph, and a passport copy to an Emirates airline office. They will help you with the rest of the process.

The visa application can take up to 5 days to process.

How to apply UAE tourist visa via Ethiad airlines?

  1. Go to their official website’s UAE Visa information page.
  2. Read the “Do I need a visa to visit the UAE?” section and see if your country is listed there. If it’s listed there, you will get a visa on arrival. If it is not listed, scroll down and click the “Apply Now” button on the “How to apply for a UAE visa” section.
  3. You will be redirected to the “Available Services” page. There, choose a type of tourist visa and click on “Issue Visa.”
  4. You will land on a new page with a form you must fill out. Enter the Emirate you want to visit, your arrival airport, your current location, and your arrival date and email. The other options are optional. Then, click “Next.”
  5. On the new page, provide your details and click “Next.”
  6. Enter your address in the form as per instructions.
  7. Upload necessary attachments. Make sure the attached files meet the size and format requirements.
  8. Review your application and verify that your details are all accurate.
  9. Make the payments. You can provide your bank’s credit card details and pay the amount shown on the screen.

What is the UAE tourist visa validity?

The UAE tourist visas can have multiple validity periods, depending on the visa application.

Each tourist visa also comes with a grace period of ten days. The grace period begins after your visa validity ends. You must pay AED 100 per day fines for overstaying after your grace period unless you extend your visa.

These are the validity periods of different visas:

  • Single entry short-term visa

It is valid for 30 days. It can be extended two times with a 30-day validity period each.

  • Multiple entry short-term visa

It is valid for 30 days, and you can leave & enter the country anytime you want for 30 days. It can be extended for additional 30 days. [4]Emirates, “ jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_10749_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_10749_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener nofollow”>UAE Visa information, https://www.emirates.com/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/#:~:text=Tourist%20%E2%80%93%20short%20term%20(multiple%20entry)”{[(|fnote_end|)]}

  • Single entry long-term visa

It is valid for 90 days, and you are permitted to enter the country only one time in those 90 days. This type of visa is extendable as well. [5]u.ae, “Tourist visa, https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/tourist-visa#:~:text=90%20days%20duration%2C%20single%20entry”

  • Multiple entry long-term visa

The multiple-entry 90 days visit visa in UAE is a great way to visit the UAE multiple times. Unlike the single entry visa, you can enter and exit the UAE as you please within 90 days with this visit visa. You can also use this type of visa for business purposes.

  • 5-year multiple entry visa

This type of visa allows a long-term stay in the UAE, with tourists staying for 90 days at a time. The stay period of 90 days can be extended by another 90 days. [6]u.ae, “Tourist visa, … Continue reading

If you are planning to stay in the UAE, the first decision you will need to make is which type of tourist visa application you can apply for.

Long-term and short-term visas are the two options for your UAE visa. They can each be either single or multiple entry visas. So, which one is right for you? The length of the trip to the UAE will be the main factor in determining the type of your UAE visa.

A short-term visa will suffice if you are only planning to stay for a few days or weeks. However, if you plan to stay for an extended period, you must apply for a long-term visa.

Another important consideration is whether you will make multiple trips to the UAE or just a single visit. If you are only planning on making a single trip, then a single entry visa will be sufficient.

However, if you plan on making multiple trips, you will need to apply for a multiple entry visa. When selecting which UAE tourist visa to apply for, the length of your stay and the number of times you plan on visiting are the most important things to consider.

More Related Stories

  • Check this Dbd guide on – How to check UAE visa status online, where we have shared a detailed step-by-step guide with images.
  • If you are concerned about your overstay in the UAE, take a look at our Dbd guide on – How to check the overstay fine in UAE, where we have shared all the latest information.
  • Check out this Dbd guide on – UAE Golden Visa, where we have shared all the detailed information about how to apply, requirements, fees, and more.
  • Check this Dbd guide on – UAE visa renewal, where we have shared a detailed process for both tourist visas and residency visas.
  • If you are looking to get citizenship in UAE, check out this Dbd guide on – How to get UAE citizenship.

What is the cost of UAE tourist visa?

The cost of a UAE tourist visa depends on the validity and type of visa you want. A single entry visa costs less than a multiple entry visa of the same duration.

Depending on where you get your visa from, the prices may differ. Some airlines or hotels may charge more than others.

Some services may also charge extra fees by including travel insurance in the visa plans.

On average, these are the approximate prices you can expect to pay to apply for a UAE tourist visa: [7]Emirates, “UAE visa information, https://www.emirates.com/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/#:~:text=Tourist%20%E2%80%93%20short%20term,US%24460″[8]Etihad, “Getting a UAE visa, https://www.etihad.com/en-ae/fly-etihad/visas#:~:text=Visa%20fee%3A%C2%A0AED%20350,Visa%20fee%3A%20AED%202500″

  • Single entry short-term visa: AED 330 – 350 ($90 – $95)
  • Multiple entry short-term visa: AED 640 – 650 ($175)
  • Single entry long-term visa: AED 700 – 1000 ($190 – $275)
  • Multiple entry long-term visa: AED 1700 – 2500 ($460 – $680)

FAQs on UAE tourist visa

Is UAE open for tourist visa?

Yes, UAE is open for tourist visas. Covid-19 made it difficult to obtain a visa in 2020, 2021, and early 2022, but the danger has decreased, and the United Arab Emirates has resumed all travel.

Can I apply for UAE visit visa online?

You need to consult with a licensed tourism company, an airline, or a hotel you want to stay in the UAE. There is no official government portal to apply for a tourist visa online, as the embassy does not issue tourist visas.

Are UAE tourist visa and visit visa same?

The gist of the two visas is the same: a short-term visa for those who want to visit the UAE for a while.

Is UAE visit visa open for Indians?

Yes, the UAE visit visa is open for Indian nationals. Just contact a licensed tourism company or airline you know of to get a tourist visa.

How much is 30 days tourist visa in Dubai?

A 30 days tourist visa costs around AED 350 for a single entry visa. Multiple entry visa is more expensive, at around AED 650.

Final thoughts

Before visiting the UAE, you need to obtain a UAE tourist visa. The good news is that the process is relatively straightforward, and several visa options exist.

Before starting, ensure your passport is valid for at least six months. You can then decide whether you want a long-term or short-term UAE visa.

There is a provision for visa extension, too, so don’t worry if you feel like the short-term visa wasn’t enough. It is essential to carefully consider your options before deciding, as longer-term and multiple-entry visas are more expensive.

Our advice is to start planning your trip well in advance so that you can make the most of your time in this amazing country. It takes up to 5 days to approve the Dubai visa from the date of submitting your visa application.

Imagine all the fantastic things you’ll be able to see and do when you have a Dubai tourist visa. The possibilities are endless, from exploring bustling cities to relaxing on pristine beaches!

So what are you waiting for? Get your visa today and start planning your dream vacation!

About the author

Sarika Patel
Sarika Patel
Immigration Attorney, UAE | + posts

Sarika Patel is an experienced immigration expert with a Master's degree in Law from the University of Dubai. For the last two decades, she has been living in Dubai, and throughout this time, her focus has been on providing helpful information and advice to those seeking to immigrate or gain a visa in Dubai. Sarika is passionate about helping people navigate the often complex and confusing world of immigration, visa rules, and laws in the UAE.

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