UAE Visa Guide — Visit, Tourist & Transit Visas for Dubai

Everything you need to know about visiting the UAE. Whether you need a tourist visa, visit visa for family, transit visa for a stopover, or a visa extension — UAE visas are outside the services OraVisa provides; contact us and we will point your enquiry in the right direction.

What visa do I need to visit the UAE?

Citizens of GCC countries enter visa-free. Citizens of 50+ countries (UK, US, EU, Australia, Japan, South Korea) receive a free visa on arrival for 30-90 days. Most other nationalities — including Indian, Filipino, Egyptian, and Nigerian passport holders — need a pre-arranged visit or tourist visa through an airline, a sponsor, or a UAE visa provider. The type depends on your purpose: visit visa (family/friends), tourist visa (tourism), or transit visa (stopovers).

Visa-on-Arrival Countries: 50+Standard Processing: 2-5 daysGDRFA Standard: 48 hours (single-entry)30-Day Visa From: AED 300

UAE Visa Types Compared

The UAE offers several visa types depending on your purpose, duration, and nationality. Compare the main options below.

UAE Visit Visa

Filed through a UAE visa company. 30 and 60-day, single or multiple entry. No UAE sponsor needed.

From AED 350 (30 days)
GDRFA standard: 48 hours
No UAE sponsor required

UAE Visit Visa Details →

UAE Tourist Visa

Self-sponsored or agency-sponsored for tourism. 30, 60-day, or 5-year multi-entry.

From AED 300 (30 days)
2-4 working days
5-year option available

UAE Tourist Visa Details →

UAE Urgent Visa Options

Urgent handling is offered by airlines and visa companies — the same visa; a complete file is what avoids delay.

Complete-file guidance
GDRFA standard: 48 hours
Digital application — no visit needed

UAE Express Visa Details →

UAE Transit Visa

For layovers in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. 48-hour and 96-hour options.

From AED 100 (48 hours)
1-3 working days
Explore the city

UAE Transit Visa Details →

Visa Extension

Extend your stay without leaving the UAE. 30 or 60-day extensions.

From AED 600 (30 days)
1-3 working days
No exit required

UAE Visa Extension Details →

Visa Change

Airport-to-airport visa reset. Exit and return same day with a fresh visa.

From AED 1,050
Same-day process
Return flight included in visa change packages

UAE Visa Change Details →

Visa-on-Arrival Countries

Citizens of 50+ countries receive a free visa on arrival at UAE airports. No pre-arrangement needed — just arrive with a valid passport.

United KingdomUnited StatesCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanSouth KoreaSingaporeNew ZealandIrelandNetherlandsBelgiumAustriaSwedenNorwayDenmarkFinlandPortugalGreeceSwitzerlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaEstoniaLatviaLithuaniaMaltaLuxembourgIcelandLiechtensteinMonacoSan MarinoVatican CityAndorraBruneiMalaysiaHong KongMauritiusSeychellesCosta RicaBrazilArgentinaChileRussiaChina+ more

Visa-on-arrival duration varies by nationality (30-90 days). Some nationalities receive 30 days, others receive 90 days. Check your specific country guide below for exact details.

UAE Visa Guides by Nationality

Detailed visa guides for the most common nationalities visiting the UAE. Each guide covers requirements, fees, processing times, and step-by-step application instructions.

Nationalities Requiring a Pre-Arranged Visa

🇮🇳India 🇵🇭Philippines 🇪🇬Egypt 🇳🇬Nigeria 🇿🇦South Africa 🇮🇷Iran 🇰🇪Kenya 🇹🇷Turkey

Visa-on-Arrival Countries — Entry Guides

🇬🇧United Kingdom 🇺🇸United States 🇩🇪Germany 🇫🇷France 🇦🇺Australia 🇨🇦Canada 🇮🇹Italy 🇯🇵Japan 🇰🇷South Korea 🇷🇺Russia 🇨🇳China 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

UAE Visa Guides & Resources

In-depth guides covering every aspect of UAE visas — from application steps and fees to extensions, overstay rules, and visa status checking.

Application & Process

Fees & Pricing

Extensions & Overstay

Sponsorship & Family

Status & Tracking

Transit & Stopover

How a UAE Visa Is Obtained

Check Whether You Need One

Your nationality decides it: GCC citizens enter visa-free, 50+ nationalities receive a visa on arrival, and the rest need a pre-arranged e-visa.

Choose a Channel

A pre-arranged UAE visa is filed through an airline, a hotel or UAE-based sponsor, or a UAE visa company. UAE visas are outside the services OraVisa provides; contact us and we will point your enquiry in the right direction.

Submit Your Documents

Passport scan, photograph and any supporting documents go to the channel you use, which files the application with the UAE immigration authorities.

Visa Delivered

Receive your approved e-visa by email; GDRFA Dubai publishes a 48-hour service standard for a single-entry tourist visa. You are ready to travel to the UAE.

Already in the UAE? Travel Abroad from Dubai

OraVisa also helps UAE residents get visas for international travel. We process applications for 100+ countries — tourist, visit, transit, and business visas.

View Outbound Services Browse 100+ Countries

Frequently Asked Questions

What visa do I need to visit the UAE?

It depends on your nationality. Citizens of GCC countries enter visa-free. Citizens of 50+ countries (UK, US, EU, Australia, Japan, etc.) receive a free visa on arrival for 30-90 days. Most other nationalities — including Indian, Filipino, Egyptian, and Nigerian passport holders — need a pre-arranged visit or tourist visa.

How much does a UAE visa cost?

UAE visa fees vary by type and duration. A 30-day tourist visa starts from approximately AED 300-450, a 60-day visit visa from AED 600-900, and a 90-day visa from AED 900-1,200. The 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa costs approximately AED 1,800-2,500.

How long does a UAE visa take to process?

GDRFA Dubai publishes a service standard of 48 hours for a single-entry tourist visa, and many are decided sooner. Neither GDRFA nor ICP publishes a priority or express tier — what an agent can change is how quickly your file is checked and submitted, not how quickly it is decided. Transit visas are processed within 1-3 working days. Visa extensions take 1-3 working days. Processing times may vary during peak seasons.

Can I extend my UAE visa without leaving the country?

Yes. UAE visit and tourist visas can be extended for 30 or 60 additional days through GDRFA or Amer centres. OraVisa is a visa service assistant, not affiliated with GDRFA, ICP or any UAE government body; the decision rests solely with the immigration authorities. Extensions must be applied for before your visa expires to avoid overstay fines of AED 50 per day.

What is the overstay fine in the UAE?

Overstaying a UAE visa incurs a fine of AED 50 per day plus administrative charges of approximately AED 100-200. Extended overstays can result in travel bans, detention, and deportation. Apply for an extension before your current visa expires; if you are unsure which route applies, contact us and we will point your enquiry in the right direction.

Do UK and US citizens need a visa for Dubai?

No. UK and US citizens receive a free visa on arrival at UAE airports, valid for 30 days (extendable to 60 days). No pre-arrangement is needed — simply arrive with a valid passport with at least 6 months validity. EU, Australian, Canadian, and Japanese citizens also enjoy visa-on-arrival access.

Can I get a UAE visa urgently?

Visa companies and airlines offer urgent handling for all nationalities that require a pre-arranged visa, and GDRFA Dubai publishes a 48-hour service standard for a single-entry tourist visa; the decision and its timing rest with the UAE authorities. UAE visas are outside the services OraVisa provides; if you are unsure where to apply, contact us and we will point your enquiry in the right direction.

What is an airport-to-airport visa change?

A visa change involves exiting the UAE via a short flight from Dubai or Sharjah airport and returning the same day with a fresh visa. It is used when in-country extension is not possible — for example, if your visa has expired or you have used all extensions. A UAE visa company arranges the visa, the flight and re-entry; visa changes are outside the services OraVisa provides.

What is the 5-year UAE tourist visa?

The 5-year multiple-entry UAE tourist visa allows tourists of all nationalities to enter the UAE multiple times over 5 years, with each stay lasting up to 90 days (extendable to 180 days per year). It is self-sponsored and available to all nationalities through UAE visa providers.

Have a Question About Your UAE Visa?

UAE visit, tourist, transit and extension visas are outside the services OraVisa provides — contact us and we will point your enquiry in the right direction.