UAE Visa: Requirements, Types, Fees, Processing Time & How to Apply
Start your applicationIt depends on your passport. The UAE allows visa-free entry for many nationalities for short tourist stays, often up to 30–90 days. Other nationalities need to obtain a tourist visa before arrival.
the UAE visa at a glance
- Government fee
- $100–$150 — passed through at cost, no markup
- Official processing
- 2–5 working days (Eta shown as a fact)
- Validity / stay
- Up to 30 days
- Visa types
- 5
Do you need a visa for the UAE?
If your nationality is not visa-exempt, apply through the Embassy or Consulate of the UAE, an approved sponsor, or the official online eVisa portal for your country. Always confirm your exact entry status before booking travel.
the UAE visa types
- Tourist visa
- Tourism, leisure, sightseeing — Up to 30 days
- Transit visa
- Passing through the UAE en route to a third country — 48–96 hours
- Multiple-entry tourist visa
- Multiple visits within validity — Up to 90 days
- Work visa
- Employment in the UAE — Long stay
- Residence visa
- Living in the UAE — Long stay
Who is eligible
Whether you need a visa for the UAE depends on your nationality:
Your legal residence also matters. Apply through the embassy, consulate, or online eVisa portal responsible for your country of residence.
Visa-exempt nationalities can enter the UAE visa-free for short stays — confirm whether your passport is included and whether any limit applies.
Visa-required nationalities need a tourist visa or another applicable category before arrival.
Visa on arrival is available for some nationalities at UAE airports — confirm whether your passport is eligible.
Long-stay, work, study, or residence requires a different category; this guide covers short-stay visitor entry only.
Documents required for a the UAE visa
What the consulate expects in your file. The controlling checklist is always the one published for your country of residence.
- Valid passportusually 6+ months validity, 2+ blank pages.
- Completed and signed visa application formCompleted and signed visa application form.
- Recent passport photoRecent passport photo.
- Proof of travel itinerary (round-trip flight reservation)Proof of travel itinerary (round-trip flight reservation).
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking)Proof of accommodation (hotel booking).
- Proof of sufficient funds for your stayProof of sufficient funds for your stay.
- Any additional documents requested by the embassy or consulateAny additional documents requested by the embassy or consulate.
the UAE visa fees and processing time
- Government fee
- $100–$150 — passed through at cost, no markup
- Expedify processing fee
- Shown before you start
- Validity / stay
- Up to 30 days
- Official processing
- 2–5 working days (Eta shown as a fact)
Government fees are passed through at cost. Processing times are the authority's official estimate, stated as a fact — not a delivery promise.
How to apply for a the UAE visa
The official route, step by step.
Confirm you need a visa
Check the UAE visa-exemption list for your nationality. If you're exempt, you don't need this process.
Get the current form and checklist from the Embassy of the UAE or the official eVisa portal for your country. Requirements differ by country
use their list, not a generic one.
Gather your documents
see the checklist in Required documents for a UAE visa above.
Submit your application
online or in person at the embassy. Pay the government visa fee.
Wait for processing
timelines vary by post. Apply early enough before travel. Don't book non-refundable flights until approved.
Collect your passport when a decision is made and a visa is issued
Collect your passport when a decision is made and a visa is issued.
Applying yourself vs. with Expedify
The authority decides your visa either way. The difference is how much of the process you carry.
Research
- Apply yourself
- Check UAE's requirements yourself
- With Expedify
- We confirm what you need for your route
Document check
- Apply yourself
- Common errors cause refusals
- With Expedify
- Pre-reviewed before submission
Appointments
- Apply yourself
- You book and attend yourself
- With Expedify
- We prepare your application and guide you
Status tracking
- Apply yourself
- You check with the post
- With Expedify
- We track and notify you at every step
Government fee
- Apply yourself
- Same
- With Expedify
- Same — passed through at cost, no markup
At the border: what to expect
A visa lets you present yourself for entry — it does not guarantee admission. Entry into the UAE is decided by immigration officials at the port of entry.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with your visa or exemption stamp.
- Return or onward travel ticket.
- Proof of accommodation and itinerary.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
Conditions of stay
- Stay length is set by the officer at entry — it can be less than your visa's maximum.
- A tourist visa is not a work permit — no employment.
- No full-time study on a tourist visa.
- Depart before your permitted stay ends; overstaying is an immigration violation.
Common reasons a the UAE visa is refused
Knowing these before you apply reduces your risk.
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation
documents that don't match your application form.
Unclear travel purpose
an itinerary that doesn't explain where you're going and why.
Insufficient financial means
evidence that doesn't clearly cover your trip.
Weak ties to your home country
limited evidence you'll return after your stay.
Frequently asked questions
the UAE visa questions, answered.
More for your the UAE trip
Last verified Reviewed by Expedify Compliance Review
About this service
Expedify is a private application-assistance service, not a government agency, embassy, or consulate. Visas are granted solely by the destination country's authorities, and no third party can influence or guarantee a decision. Our agency fee covers preparation, review, and tracking of your application, and is separate from any consular fee. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice — requirements change and vary by nationality. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting.