What is a Dubai Tourist Visa?
With world-class entertainment, elaborate shopping complexes, and stunning desert activities, Dubai is a popular tourist destination for many reasons. Located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai welcomes millions of international travelers from all over the world each year.
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Who Needs a Dubai Visa?
The following nationalities must obtain a tourist visa prior to traveling to Dubai:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Palau, Palestinian Territories, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Dubai Tourist Visa Validity
Dubai tourist visas are issued to travelers coming to the city for tourism purposes. Tourist visas are valid for 60 days from the date of issuance until the date of entry into the UAE. The Dubai tourist visa allows the holder to stay for either 30 or 60 days. Both the 30-day visa and the 60-day visa can be obtained as single or multiple-entry documents.
Additionally, Dubai offers a multiple entry 5-year tourist visa, allowing all nationalities to enter the country multiple times on self-sponsorship. With a maximum stay of 90 days on each visit, extendable for an additional 90 days.
Dubai Tourist Visa Requirements
To apply for a Dubai tourist visa, all applicants must submit the following basic required documents:
A valid passport
The passport must be valid for at least six (6) months. Applicants should make a clear digital copy of the bio-data page of the passport containing all the relevant identification details and their photograph.
National identity card (if applicable)
Foreign nationals holding passports from Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan should also submit a copy of their valid national ID card.
Personal photo
Applicants must submit a recent passport-sized personal photo that is clear and adheres to the Dubai immigration guidelines.
A complete application form
The applicant can find the form on the official online portal and should complete all details accordingly.
Return/onward ticket
Applicants must provide a copy of their return or onward ticket that clearly shows the date of departure from Dubai, their name, and any other required details.
Valid health insurance
Applicants must possess valid travel insurance that is valid for the entire duration of their stay in Dubai.
Bank Statement
Required exclusively for applicants seeking the Dubai 5-year tourist visa. A bank statement covering the past 6 months, indicating a minimum balance of 4,000 USD or its equivalent in foreign currencies, is necessary.
Dubai Tourist Visa Application
Applying for a Dubai tourist visa is a straightforward procedure that can be completed online. Applicants can take the following steps to complete the visa application process:
All details must be completed accurately and any personal or contact information must match the applicant’s passport and/or other official documents. It’s important to note that applications are processed through authorized sponsors’ websites (approved airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or tour operators), with the exception of the 5-year tourist visa, which applicants can personally initiate.
Upload all necessary documents as specified. The documentation must be provided in digital format and appropriately submitted.
Applicants need a valid payment method, such as a credit or debit card. The fees depend on the desired duration of stay in Dubai (30 or 60 days or the 5-year tourist visa), as well as the requested number of entries.
If the Dubai tourist visa application is approved, the applicant is issued their eVisa by email. This document can be used to travel to Dubai.
Dubai Tourist Visa Fees
The fees for Dubai tourist visas are calculated according to factors such as the intended duration of stay, the number of entries required, the visa’s validity period, and the selected sponsor through whom you are submitting your application. The exact fee arrangement is tailored to align with these specific considerations. Convenient online payment options are available, facilitating transactions through accepted credit or debit cards.
Where to Apply
Standard Dubai Tourist visas are accessible through accredited airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or tour operators. To initiate the application process, you can either visit their physical offices or utilize their online platforms to complete the necessary forms, furnish required documents, and make the requisite payments.
Alternatively, you have the option of obtaining sponsorship from a UAE resident or company to facilitate the visa application process.
In contrast, the 5-year tourist visa presents a unique opportunity as it allows individuals to apply independently through the website of the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), without requiring sponsorship.
Dubai Tourist Visa Processing Time
The processing time for a Dubai tourist visa varies based on factors such as the method of submission (online or sponsored), the applicant’s nationality, and the nature of the application. Generally, the processing time ranges from a few days to around two weeks. However, please note that this timeframe can vary based on individual circumstances, the efficiency of the application process, and any additional verification requirements.
Approved Visa Applications
If the applicant applies online and the tourist visa application is approved, they will receive an email with the new eVisa. They can use this document to travel to Dubai.
If the application is sponsored, the sponsor will receive a notice once the application is approved. They are responsible for ensuring the applicant receives their Dubai tourist visa and has all the documentation they need to travel to Dubai.
Dubai Visa Extension
Dubai tourist visas can be extended twice for all the standard types of visas. Tourist visa holders can request an initial extension of 30 days and a secondary extension of 20 days. Extensions can be made online through the official ICP or GDFRA portals. To request an extension, applicants must have a copy of their passport and be ready to pay AED 600.
For the self-sponsored 5-year visa, which allows a 90-day stay per visit, the option to extend the duration of stay is also available. Visitors under this visa category can seek an extension for an equivalent period, provided that the total duration of stay within a year does not exceed (180) days.
FAQ
Tourists are typically granted stays of 30, 60, or 90 days in Dubai, contingent on the specific subcategory of their visa. Moreover, all types of tourist visas can be extended if travelers wish to prolong their stay in Dubai.
The cost of the Dubai visa will depend on how long you plan to spend in Dubai and the number of entries you require. The 30-day visas are less expensive than the 60-day visas, for example.
There are many accredited sponsors for the Dubai tourist visa including airlines, hotels, and travel agencies. Sponsors can be found online or through the same channels you used to book your flights and accommodation. You can also have an individual, like a friend or family member, sponsor your trip.