Most visitors to Dubai never apply for a visa at all — they get one on arrival at the airport, free, in a few minutes. But which group you fall into depends entirely on your passport, and the rules change often enough that it is worth checking properly rather than relying on a blog post.
Including this one. Everything below is a guide to how the system works. The authoritative source is the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP) or GDRFA Dubai — always confirm there before you book.
The four categories
1. GCC citizens — no visa
Nationals of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman enter freely with a national ID or passport.
2. Visa on arrival, 90 days
Typically citizens of most EU/Schengen states and a number of others. A 90-day stamp within a 180-day period, issued at immigration, no fee.
3. Visa on arrival, 30 days
Typically citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, China and others. Usually extendable once inside the UAE for a fee.
4. Pre-arranged visa required
Most other nationalities — including many African, South Asian and Middle Eastern passports — need a visa arranged before travel, normally sponsored by an airline, a hotel or a UAE-based relative or company.
How a sponsored visa works
You do not usually apply at an embassy. The standard route is:
- Airline sponsorship — Emirates and flydubai both offer visa services when you book a flight with them. This is the most common route.
- Hotel sponsorship — many Dubai hotels will arrange a tourist visa for confirmed guests.
- Travel agency — licensed UAE agencies process visas for a fee.
Typical cost is in the region of AED 250–400 for a 30-day tourist visa, plus insurance in some cases. Processing is usually three to five working days.
Documents you will normally need
- Passport valid at least six months from arrival
- Passport-style photograph on a white background
- Confirmed return or onward flight
- Hotel booking or a host’s details
Things that catch people out
- Passport validity. Six months is the rule and it is enforced. Five months and three weeks is a refused boarding.
- Overstaying is expensive. Daily fines accumulate and are collected on exit.
- Israeli stamps are no longer a barrier to UAE entry.
- Transit only? If you are not leaving the airport you do not need a visa. Dubai also offers short paid transit visas if you want to leave the terminal on a long layover.
- Extensions are possible for many visa-on-arrival nationalities but must be done before expiry, inside the country.
Where to check officially
The two authoritative sources are:
- The ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — the federal authority
- GDRFA Dubai — the Dubai residency and foreigners affairs directorate
Your airline’s website will also state the requirement for your specific route and passport, and that is usually the fastest practical check.
Common questions
Is the visa on arrival free?
For the nationalities that qualify, yes — there is no fee for the standard tourist stamp.
How long can I stay?
30 or 90 days depending on your nationality, counted from the date of entry.
Can I work on a tourist visa?
No. Working on a visit visa is illegal and penalties are serious.
Do I need travel insurance?
Not for visa-on-arrival entry. Some sponsored visa applications require it.
What if my visa is refused?
Reasons are not usually given. A licensed UAE travel agency can advise on reapplying.
Written August 2026. Visa rules change frequently — this page is orientation, not authority. Confirm with ICP, GDRFA or your airline before booking. See our editorial policy.
Planning the rest of the trip? Start with first time in Dubai and the best time to visit.
