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UAE Tourist Visa

Tourist and visit visas for individuals and families, with single and multiple-entry options and clear guidance on what you need.

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Overview

A UAE tourist visa, also called a visit visa, lets you enter the country for leisure or to visit family. Some nationalities do not need to apply in advance, while others must apply before travelling. The right choice depends on your passport, how long you plan to stay and how often you will visit.

Common options include single-entry and multiple-entry visas, usually valid for 30 or 60 days, and a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa for frequent visitors. UAE residents can also sponsor relatives on a family visit visa. Durations, fees and the rules for extending or changing status from inside the country change from time to time, so it is worth checking before you book.

Almahira checks whether you need a visa at all, recommends the option that suits your trip, prepares your documents and arranges submission through an authorised sponsor, such as a licensed travel agency or your resident relative. We keep you updated until your e-visa is issued.

Key facts

Issuing authorities
ICP federally and GDRFA Dubai; airlines, hotels and licensed travel agents can apply for you
Passport validity
At least six months from your date of entry
Tourist visas
30 or 60 days, single or multiple entry, issued through accredited tourism establishments
Five-year tourist visa
Up to 90 days per visit, extendable by 90, with a USD 4,000 bank balance over the last six months
Sponsoring relatives and friends
Resident's monthly salary of AED 4,000 (first-degree relatives), AED 8,000 (second and third-degree) or AED 15,000 (friends)
Overstay fine
AED 50 per day for visit, tourist and residence visas (as of October 2026)

Who it's for

Tourists and holidaymakers
You are visiting Dubai or the other emirates on holiday and need a visa before you travel.
Families visiting relatives
A family member lives in the UAE and can sponsor your visit, or you want to bring your children with you.
Frequent visitors
You come to the UAE several times a year for short stays and want a multiple-entry option.
Visitors already here
You are in the UAE on a visit visa and want to extend your stay, subject to current rules.

What's included

  • Eligibility check by nationality
  • Single-entry visit visas, commonly 30 or 60 days
  • Multiple-entry tourist visas, including the five-year option
  • Family visit visas sponsored by UAE residents
  • Visa extensions and inside-country status changes, where permitted
  • Express processing where available
  • Travel insurance assistance
  • Application updates by WhatsApp, phone and email

Documents you'll usually need

  • Passport valid for at least six months from your entry date
  • Recent colour photo with a white background
  • Return or onward flight booking
  • Hotel booking or your host's address in the UAE
  • Travel medical insurance covering your stay
  • Recent bank statements, for some nationalities and multiple-entry visas
  • For family visits: sponsor's Emirates ID or visa, and proof of relationship

The exact list depends on your nationality, activity and the authority involved. We confirm it with you before anything is submitted.

How it works

  1. Check eligibility

    We check whether your passport qualifies for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival. If it does, you may not need our service at all, and we will tell you.

  2. Choose the visa

    We recommend single or multiple entry and the right duration for your plans, and confirm current fees before you pay anything.

  3. Submit your application

    We review your documents and submit the application through an authorised sponsor or channel, adding travel insurance if you need it.

  4. Receive your e-visa

    Once approved, your visa arrives by email. Check that your name and passport number match your passport exactly before you travel.

  5. Travel and entry

    Carry your e-visa, return ticket and accommodation details. Immigration officers at the airport make the final entry decision, so keep your documents easy to reach.

Typical timeline

GDRFA Dubai lists 48 hours as the expected completion time for a tourist visa issued through an accredited tourism office, but some nationalities, peak travel seasons and requests for extra documents take longer. Apply well before your travel date rather than relying on express processing.

Common questions

Do I need a visa to visit Dubai?

It depends on your nationality. Citizens of some countries can enter the UAE visa-free or get a visa on arrival, and some travellers qualify through a residence permit or visa from certain other countries. Everyone else needs to apply before travelling. The list changes, so check your eligibility with your airline or the official ICP or GDRFA channels, or ask us before you book.

How long can I stay on a UAE tourist visa?

Usually 30 or 60 days per visa. Tourist visas, single or multiple entry, are issued for 30 or 60 days, and visas to visit relatives or friends for 30, 60 or 90 days. The five-year multiple-entry tourist visa allows up to 90 days per visit, extendable by another 90. Conditions change, so we confirm the current options for your passport before you apply.

Can I extend my tourist visa without leaving the UAE?

Often, yes, if you apply before your visa expires. ICP allows visit and tourist entry permits to be extended once or more, as long as the total stay does not exceed 120 days, and fees apply to each extension. The limits differ for some other visa types, such as visits to relatives. Contact us at least a week before your visa ends and we will check what is possible.

Can my family member in the UAE sponsor my visit visa?

Yes, if they meet ICP's salary rules. A resident sponsor needs a monthly salary of at least AED 4,000 for first-degree relatives such as parents, a spouse or children, AED 8,000 for second and third-degree relatives, and AED 15,000 for friends, with proof of the relationship. The sponsor applies through ICP or GDRFA Dubai. We help the sponsor prepare the documents and submit the application.

Can I work in the UAE on a tourist visa?

No. A tourist or visit visa does not allow you to work in the UAE, even for a short time. Working requires a work permit and the right residence visa, arranged by an employer or through your own company. If you want to look for a job while you are here, the UAE offers a separate job seeker visit visa, so ask us about it before you travel.

What happens if I overstay my visit visa?

You are fined AED 50 for each day you stay after your visa expires (as of October 2026), and an overstay can make future visa applications more difficult. You will need to settle the fines before you leave or apply for a new visa. If your plans change, extend your visa or leave before it expires, and contact us early if you are unsure of your exit date.

Can I change from a visit visa to a residence visa inside the UAE?

Usually, yes. Once a new residence entry permit has been issued, for example by an employer, ICP and GDRFA Dubai let you change status inside the country for a fee of AED 500 (as of October 2026), instead of leaving and re-entering. Any overstay must be settled first. These rules have changed several times in recent years, so we check the current position for your situation before you apply.

Can Indian nationals with a US visa or a UK or EU residence permit get a UAE visa more easily?

Yes. Indian nationals holding a valid US visa, or a residence permit from the US, the EU, the UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada valid for at least six months, can get a 14-day visa, extendable once, or a 60-day visa that cannot be extended. The same route now also covers some other nationalities, including Indonesia, the Philippines and South Africa. Check the current list before you book.

Guides on this topic

Last reviewed . Rules change often; we confirm current requirements during your consultation.

Sources

Tell us what you're planning

One short call is usually enough to recommend a jurisdiction, licence and visa route. A written quote follows.

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