united arab emirates
tourist visa

Citizens of selected countries can get a visa on arrival in the UAE, meaning they do not need to apply for a visit visa in advance of travel. You can check if you qualify for the scheme here. Visa on arrival is free of charge and is obtained at the border.

If you are eligible for visa on arrival, you will be able to stay in the UAE for 30 or 60 days, depending on your nationality. During your stay, you will be able to carry out tourism activities and certain permitted business activities such as attending seminars, conferences or training. However, this visa does not allow you to work.

Anyone who does not have the privilege of visa-free entry or visa on arrival will need to apply for a visa prior to arrival into the UAE. The visit or tourism visa can be arranged/sponsored by a UAE resident, a tour agency or hotel. 

To apply for a tourist visa, you will need to meet certain requirements such as:

• You must have valid passport with at least six months validity from the date of entry.
• You must have a travel ticket showing an onward journey.
• You must have valid health insurance.
• You must not have been previously deported or banned from entering the UAE.

The UAE embassies do not issue tourist visas. In order to get a tourist visa to the UAE, you need to get in touch with one of the UAE-based airlines, a tour agency or a hotel (where you intend to stay) in the UAE who will apply for visa on your behalf to the official visa-issuing authorities in the UAE.

Licensed travel agents and hotels in the UAE can arrange a visit visa for you provided you purchase the ticket through them and have a reservation with the specific hotel. You can also contact travel agencies in your country for any tourist packages available to the UAE in collaboration with a local tour operator.

The visa application fee may vary depending on the type of tourist visa you are applying for. Please speak to the Global Immigration team at Smith Stone Walters for the latest information on UAE visa fees.

While processing time varies based on the visa, it approximately takes 48 hours for a tourist visa to be issued. It may take longer depending on the immigration security checks required.

There are various types of tourist visas to accommodate different travel needs, depending on your eligibility:

• A single-entry tourist visa, valid for 30 days or 60 days.
• A multiple-entry tourist visa, valid for 30 days or 60 days.
• A multiple-entry long-term tourist visa, valid for five years.

Please note, there are fines for overstaying in the UAE on a tourist or visit visa, which amount to a standardised fee of AED50 a day and will be calculated from 10 days after the expiry of the visa.

If the visa is unused, please notify the sponsor to have it cancelled by immigration. This will avoid any inconveniences for any visa application in the future.