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E-Visas (Electronic Visas)
What Is an E-Visa?
An e-visa is exactly what it sounds like: a digital visa. No stamp in your passport. No embassy visit. Just a PDF sent to your email. Print it or keep it on your phone; it’s valid for entry.
An e-visa is an entry permit issued electronically for tourists, visitors, and some short-term entrants. Once approved, you receive it by email. When you arrive in the UAE, immigration officers scan your passport, the visa record pops up automatically.
Who Needs an E-Visa?
Most nationalities need a pre-arranged e-visa to enter the UAE. Some exceptions apply (like GCC citizens). Common e-visa categories include :
- Tourist visas (30-day, 60-day, 90-day)
- Visit visas (for family visits)
- GCC residents’ visa
- Transit visas
- Mission visas
GCC Residents Visit Visa (Special E-Visa)
If you’re a foreign national living in a GCC country (Saudi, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman), you may qualify for this 30-day e-visa .
Requirement | Details |
GCC residence permit | Valid for at least 3 months at time of entry |
Profession | Must be on approved list (managerial, technical, professional roles) |
Validity | 30 days from entry, extendable once for another 30 days |
For dependents of GCC citizens | 60-day visa, extendable once for another 60 days |
Processing time | Within 48 working hours |
Fee | AED 250 + 5% VAT |
How to Apply for an E-Visa
- Step 1: Choose your application method
- Airlines (Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai) if you’re flying with them
- Authorized travel agents or typing centers
- Hotels (many offer visa services)
- ICP or GDRFA portals (for some categories)
- Friends or relatives in UAE as sponsors
- Step 2: Prepare your documents
Document | Requirements |
Passport copy | Valid 6+ months, clear scan of photo page |
Photo | White background, recent, specific size |
Flight booking | Confirmed return or onward ticket |
Hotel booking | Confirmed reservation (if applicable) |
Bank statement | Recently, showing sufficient funds |
GCC residence copy | For GCC residents, with a profession and validity |
- Step 3: Submit application
- Fill out the online form. Double-check everything. One typo can mean rejection.
- Step 4: Pay the fee
- Pay online by card. Fees vary by visa type and processing speed.
- Step 4: Receive your e-visa
- Once approved, your e-visa arrives by email within 2–7 working days (express options available in some cases) .
E-Visa Fees (Approximate)
Visa Type | Government Fee |
30-day tourist visa | AED 200–400 |
60-day tourist visa | AED 300–650 |
GCC residents visa | AED 250 + VAT |
Express processing | Additional fees apply |
2026 Updates for E-Visas
The UAE launched a unified entry-requirements portal in February 2026, combining visa channels from Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai, and Air Arabia into one hub .
- Personalized options based on your nationality (detected by IP address)
- Live chat support for immediate help
- Wallet-based payment linked to UAE Pass (coming Q3 2026)
- Plans for fully paperless travel documentation by 2027
Important Reminders
- Tourist visas now have zero grace period. The day your visa expires, fines start at AED 50/day .
- You cannot work on a visit or tourist e-visa. It’s illegal and leads to bans .
- Check your visa status before you fly. Takes two minutes. Saves airport headaches.
- Use only official channels. Third-party websites may overcharge or mishandle your data.