How to Apply for a UAE Visit Visa

What Is a UAE Visit Visa?

A UAE visit visa lets you enter the country for a short stay. Tourism. Visiting family. Business meetings. Quick trips.

What it’s NOT: A work visa. You cannot take a job on a visit visa. That’s illegal and can get you banned.

The visa is linked to your passport electronically. No stamp inside. Just a PDF they send you. Keep it on your phone.

Types of Visit Visas (With 2026 Prices)

Visa Type	Duration	Single/Multiple	Government Fee (AED)	Best For
30-Day Visit Visa	30 days	Single	200	Short holidays, tourism
30-Day Multiple Entry	30 days	Multiple	300	Frequent short visits
60-Day Visit Visa	60 days	Single	300	Family visits, longer stays
60-Day Multiple Entry	60 days	Multiple	500	Business travel
90-Day Visit Visa	90 days	Single	400	Extended family visits
5-Year Multiple Entry	90 days per visit	Multiple	1,500	Frequent travelers

Note: All fees are subject to 5% VAT. Service fees from airlines or agents are extra.

Who Can Apply?

Almost anyone. But you need one of these:

A confirmed flight booking with a UAE airline.
A hotel booking in the UAE.
A friend or relative living in the UAE who can sponsor you.
A company is inviting you for business.

Four Ways to Apply for a UAE Visit Visa

You can’t walk into an embassy and apply directly. The UAE works through approved channels. Here are your options.

Option 1: Through an Airline (Easiest for Tourists)

If you’re flying Emirates, Etihad, or Flydubai, this is your best bet.

Step 1: Book your flight. Don't apply before you book.
Step 2: Go to the airline's website and log into "Manage Your Booking."
Step 3: Look for the visa application option. Emirates calls it "Visa Services." Flydubai calls it "UAE Visa."
Step 4: Fill out the online form. You'll need:

Passport scan (photo page)
Passport cover page (now required)
Your photo (white background)
Travel dates

Pros: Simple, all online, trusted process.

Cons: Only works if you’re flying with that airline.

Option 2: Through a Hotel or Travel Agent

Staying at a hotel? They can handle your visa.

Passport copy
Photo
Flight booking

Pros: One less thing to manage. Hotel handles everything.

Cons: Hotels charge service fees on top of government fees.

Option 3: Through a Friend or Relative in the UAE

If you have family or friends living here, they can sponsor you.

Who can sponsor?

Sponsor	Monthly Salary Required
Spouse, parents, children	AED 4,000
Siblings, grandparents	AED 8,000
Friends, non-relatives	AED 15,000

What your sponsor needs to do:

For Dubai visa: Visit GDFRA.

Select “Visa public services on ICP.”

For Dubai visas: On GDFRA, you will see different visa options under the featured services section.

Your full name (exactly as passport).
Passport number and expiry.
Your nationality.
Relationship to sponsor.

Your passport copy.
Your photo.
Your flight booking.

Pros: Someone you trust is handling it.

Cons: Your sponsor needs to meet the salary requirements.

Option 4: Through Your Company (For Business Visits)

Your passport copy.
A company letter explaining. the visit.
Your photo.

Pros: Company handles everything.

Cons: Only for business visitors.

Documents You'll Need (Checklist)

Before you start, gather these:

Document	Requirements
Passport copy	Valid for at least 6 months from your travel date. Scan the photo page clearly.
Passport cover page	Now required for all applications. Scan the front cover.
Photo	White background. Recent (within 6 months). No glasses. No shadows.
Flight booking	Confirmed return or onward ticket. Not just a hold.
Hotel booking	Confirmed reservation with your name.
Bank statement	Last 3-6 months. Shows you can cover your stay.
Medical insurance	Valid in the UAE. Your airline or agent can arrange this.

For GCC residents: Also need a copy of your valid GCC residence permit (at least 3 months validity).

For Pakistani Citizens: What You Need to Know

Yes, the UAE visit visa is open for Pakistani citizens. But approval depends on a few things.

Requirements

Passport valid for at least 6 months.
Clear passport scans (photo page and cover).
Recent photo with white background.
Confirmed return ticket.
Hotel booking or sponsor letter.
Bank statements showing funds.
NADRA-verified documents (sometimes requested).

Tips for Approval

Good travel history helps (previous UAE visits, other countries).
Certain professions get faster approval.
Young single males may face extra scrutiny.
Apply through airlines or trusted agents.

Processing Time

Normal: 5-7 working days.
Express: 2-3 working days (higher fee).

For Indian Citizens: What You Need to Know

Indian citizens can apply online through airlines, agents, or sponsors.

Requirements

Passport valid 6+ months.
Clear passport scans.
Recent photo.
Return flight ticket.
Hotel booking or sponsor details.
Bank statements.

Fast-Track Options

Emirates and Etihad offer express processing for Indian passport holders. You pay more but get the visa faster.

For GCC Residents: Special Categories

Living in Saudi, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, or Oman? You have an easier path.

GCC Resident Visit Visa

Valid for 30 or 60 days.
Can be single or multiple entry.
Requires GCC residence permit valid for at least 3 months.
Apply online through ICP or GDRFA.

Documents Needed

Passport copy.
GCC residence permit copy.
Photo.
Flight booking.

UAE Visit Visa Rules 2026: What's Changed

Zero grace period: The day your visa expires, fines start. AED 50 per day. No warning days. No extra time.

Extensions possible: You can extend most visit visas without leaving the country. Apply before expiry.

No work allowed: Working on a visit visa gets you banned. Don’t risk it.

Overstay fines: If you overstay, you pay the following:

AED 50 per day
Plus a exit fee when you leave
Plus possible ban

How to Check Your Visit Visa Status

To check your visit visa status, go to our how to check your visa status guide.

UAE Visit Visa Prices in 2026

If you’re planning a trip to the UAE, the cost of your visit visa is probably top of mind. Here is the reality: there is no single fixed price. What you pay depends on three things: how long you want to stay, how quickly you need the visa, and where you are from.

That said, the market has settled into predictable ranges. Here is what you can expect to pay through airlines, travel agencies, or hotels in 2026.

What Different Visas Cost

Visa Type	Duration	Price Range (AED)	Who Chooses This
30-Day Visit Visa	30 days	300 – 400	Most tourists. Standard short stay.
60-Day Visit Visa	60 days	500 – 650	Visitors want more time without rushing.
90-Day Visit Visa	3 months	800 – 1,000	Long stays with family or remote workers.
Extension	+30 days	600 – 800	Already here and need extra time.

What If Your Visa Is Rejected?

Rejections happen. Here’s why and what to do.

Common Reasons

Blurry or unclear passport scans. Major reason for rejection.
Passport valid for less than 6 months. Your passport must have required validity.
Photo doesn’t meet requirements.
Previous overstay or visa violation.
Incomplete documents.
Fake hotel or flight bookings. Major red flag, must avoid it.

What to Do

Step 1: Find out why. Your sponsor or agent gets a rejection reason.
Step 2: Fix the issue. Better scan. New photo. Valid booking.
Step 3: Reapply. You can submit again.
Step 4: Try a different method. If airline rejected, try hotel. If hotel rejected, try sponsor.

Note: Fees are not refunded on rejection.

One Last Thing

Here’s something worth remembering through all of this: visas are just paperwork. They’re important paperwork, yes. You need them to be here legally. But they’re not the point of your time in the UAE. The point is the holiday you’re planning. The job you’re starting. The family you’re building. The life you’re creating in a country that millions of people choose to call home.

Checking your visa status is just a way to make sure nothing gets in the way of all that. A few minutes of your time. A quick click. And then you know. The UAE issued over 158,000 Golden Visas in 2023 alone. Millions of tourist visas every year. Hundreds of thousands of work visas. The system is built for people like you. So check your status. Know where you stand. Then get on with the good stuff.

You’ve got this.