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Updated January 2024
Dubai is one of the most magnetic destinations around the world, thanks to its swanky lifestyle and abundance of opportunities. Whether it’s for business or pleasure, the city beckons with its promise of a good time—or a good life—for all.
If you’re looking to travel to Dubai, read on to find out more about its visa requirements.
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Dubai visa rules
The UAE Digital Government, in partnership with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (UAEICP), has now announced new visa fines for residents and tourists in the country. The revised fee arrangement essentially aims to address overstays on expired residence or visit visas within the country.
As per the updated regulations, a fixed fine of AED 50 will be imposed for each day following the visa’s expiry date, including any grace period provided for visa renewal.
The UAE also implemented new UAE visa rules that introduce new types of entry visas and residence permits, expanding the Golden Visa categories, and more.
According to the UAE’s new visa rules, all visit visas will now be available for single or multiple entries and will be valid for 60 days from their date of issuance. They can also be renewed for similar periods.
Dubai visa types
There are two main types of visas that the Dubai authorities issue; visas for visitors and visas for residents. These two main types of visas further offer numerous subtypes and are designed to best accommodate travellers looking to visit Dubai for their respective purposes.
According to the UAE’s new visa rules, all visit visas will now be available for single or multiple entries and will be valid for 60 days from their date of issuance. They can also be renewed for similar periods.
The following are the different types of UAE visas (تأشيرة الامارات):
- Business visa
- Tourist visa
- Multi-entry tourist visa
- Retirement visa for UAE residents
- Transit visa
- Student visa
- Remote work visa
- Patient and Companion visa
- e-visa for GCC Residents
- Job exploration entry visa
- Entry permit for relatives or friends
- Entry permit to study or training
- Entry permit for a temporary work mission
Please note that the majority of these visit visas, including the Job exploration visa, Business entry visa, Multi-entry tourist visa, the Entry permit for relatives or friends, do not require a host or sponsor to apply for the visas.
Dubai visa requirements
The requirements for visa application depend on whether you are applying for a visit or residence visa. Here is some general info on the requirements of both types of visas.
Visit visa
For the first time, the UAE, under its new visa scheme, has introduced around ten types of entry visas majority of which do not require a host or sponsor, for visitors to the UAE for different visit purposes. These visas include:
- Job exploration visa
- Business visa
- Multi-entry tourist visa
- Family visa
- Entry permit for relatives or friends
- Entry permit to study or training
- Entry permit for a temporary work mission
Some major improvements for the entry visas include facilitating the entry requirements for all visa types and offering flexible visa durations that not only meet the needs of the visitors but also their purpose of the visit. Additionally, all entry visas will now be available for single or multiple entries and will be valid for 60 days from their date of issuance. They can also be renewed for similar periods.
The UAE has also resumed issuing 60-day tourist visa.
Please note that the majority of these visit visas, including the Job exploration visa, Business entry visa, Multi-entry tourist visa, the Entry permit for relatives or friends, do not require a host or sponsor to apply for the visas.
Residence visa
If you’re planning on living and working in Dubai as an employee, your residence visa may only be applied for by your employer.
If you’re not planning on working in Dubai and are going to join your spouse or parents who are already a resident in the UAE, they can be your sponsor and apply for your visa.
Those looking to remotely work from Dubai are able to sponsor themselves in line with the terms and conditions issued with the remote work visa.
Additional requirements
Along with a sponsor, you’ll also need:
- a genuine passport, valid for at least 6 months
- coloured photographs
- visa application form
- additional documents depending on the type of visa and the channel through which you apply for the visa
Prospective visitors should not have been deported or banned from entering the UAE. If this is the case with any visitor, they will require special permission to re-enter the country.
How to apply for a Dubai visa?
Travellers who require a visa to visit Dubai are required to apply for one of the several types of visas that are being issued either online (electronic) from their nearest UAE Embassy or travel agent as applicable.
However, it’s important to note that if travelling for tourism purposes, travellers holding certain passports, such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom, are eligible for a visa on arrival of 30 days free of charge. Simply disembark your flight at Dubai International and proceed to immigration to have your passport stamped.
Travellers who are not eligible for the visa-on-arrival scheme may instead opt for the Dubai tourist visa.
Book cheap flights to Dubai
Applying for the Dubai visa online
You can apply for the Dubai visa online and/or entry permit by visiting the GDRFA Smart Services portal to apply for the visa and/or entry permit:
Simply provide the required information and documents and pay the visa fee online without having to send documents by email or visiting the office in person. Once your visa application is approved, you will receive an approved e-visa copy via email.
Those looking to apply for the UAE’s business Golden Visa may visit the ICA’s dedicated page.
Applying for the Dubai visa through offline channels
Typing centres
Offline visa applications can be made through licensed typing centres where the visa application is typed and processed through the GDRFA of the respective emirate. Upon approval, the sponsor will receive a message about the approval and the original entry permit.
Amer centres
Dubai Government stipulates that all entry permit and visa transactions must be carried out through its Amer centres. You can find your nearest Amer centres in Dubai here.
Dubai visa status check
You can check the status and validity of your Dubai visit visa online by visiting the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) website.
To check the status of your Dubai visa online, follow the steps given below:
- visit the GDRFA official website.
- under general enquiry select “File Type” – entry permit or residence.
- select “Residence Validity”.
- enter your details, including your name, visa number, nationality and date of birth.
- enter the captcha code and hit submit.
If all your details are correct, your visa validity details will appear in green below your submission form with all your visa details, such as your full name, visa expiry date, type of visa and visa number.
Dubai visa validity
Coming into effect today from 3 October 2022, the UAE has implemented a new visa scheme in which all visit visas will now be available for single or multiple entries and will be valid for 60 days from their date of issuance. They can also be renewed for similar periods.
Dubai visa renewal
Visit visa
All types of tourist visas may be extended for 30 days twice. Typically, to renew each tourist visa, you will be charged a fee of AED 200 (USD 54,45).
As mentioned, tourist visa holders will need to leave and re-enter the country to extend their visas and must ensure that the renewal process can be completed before expiry.
Unused tourist visas must either be cancelled or extended. The cost of cancelling an unused visa varies depending on the travel agent, and it could cost up to AED 300 (USD 81,68).
If you’re looking to find budget-friendly ways on how you can extend your Dubai visit visa, please consult our article below.
Residence visa
As announced by the ICP, the grace period after the residence visa expiry or cancellation in the UAE for expats has been extended from 30 days to 6 months.
Therefore, expats now have 6 months to either amend their status and get another residence visa or leave the country. Fines do not apply during the grace period. The residence visa has to be renewed before the end of that period to avoid incurring fines.
Your sponsor must renew your residence visa before it expires. A renewed visa will let you continue living legally in the UAE without incurring fines or facing legal consequences for the same.
The basic requirements are:
- a sponsor with a valid residency permit
- passing a medical fitness test for those above 18
- insurance card (mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
- a renewed identity card issued from ICA, or an original receipt that you have registered with ICA to get a renewal.
The following documents are needed:
- online application or application through a registered typing office for renewal of residency permit signed by the sponsor, whether public sector, private sector company, or personal sponsor
- original passport of the sponsored
- photo of the sponsored.
For employers working in the private sector, the sponsoring company must submit the following additional documents:
- a copy of a valid firm card
- a copy of a valid trade license
- a copy of renewed labour card of the sponsored
- a copy of labour card renewal receipt for those who reached (60) years and above.
Those sponsoring their families: spouse, children, parents and siblings (relatives of the first and second degree) must present:
- a copy of the husband’s/wife’s employment contract or company contract for investors
- a salary certificate from the employer stating the employee’s monthly salary
- a legalised marriage certificate
- a registered tenancy contract
- latest utility bill
Dubai visa price
The prices and charges of a Dubai visa depend on the kind of visa you are applying for. To get an idea of how much a tourist visa to Dubai costs, you can visit the Emirates visa and passport page.
As confirmed by a customer care agent at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP), the prices for all types of UAE and Dubai visas have now increased by AED 100. The fee for the one-month visit visa issued by the ICA, for example, has gone up from AED 270 to AED 370. However, as of now, there are no price changes in the visit visas issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai.
To obtain an official price list, we recommend contacting Amer Service at 800 5111 or visiting the amer.ae website.
Dubai visa grace period
As announced by the ICP, the grace period after the residence visa expiry or cancellation in the UAE for expats has been extended from 30 days to 6 months. Therefore, expats now have 6 months to either amend their status and get another residence visa or leave the country. Fines do not apply during the grace period.
Furthermore, tourists and visit visa holders have a grace period of 30 days.
Dubai visa fine
The overstay fine for tourist visas, visit visas and residency visa holders is AED 50 (USD 13.62) per day. Additionally, they will also have to pay for the exit permit issuance, which costs up to AED 300.
Dubai visa fine check
If you’re required to pay fines related to overstaying in Dubai, you can use the GDRFA portal to determine the exact amount. To do this, please follow the steps below.
- access the GDRFA fine inquiry portal
- select the ‘file type’, ‘place of issuance’, and enter your ‘file number’.
- fill in your date of birth, gender, and the captcha box accurately
- after clicking on ‘Submit’, you will be able to review the amount of the overstay fine
For further details about overstay fines, check out our article below.
