Every year, millions of travellers arrive in the United Arab Emirates to see the Burj Khalifa, shop in Dubai Mall, relax on Abu Dhabi’s beaches, or visit family members who live and work in the country. If your nationality needs a visa before travel, the visit visa is the route most people take. The rules, fees and application channels have changed several times in recent years, so it pays to check the current position before you book anything.
This UAE visit visa 2026 guide explains the main visa types, what each one costs, who can sponsor a relative or friend, the documents you will need, and how to apply through the official ICP and GDRFA channels. Fees and rules can change, so always confirm the final amount and requirements on the official portal before you submit an application.
What Is a UAE Visit Visa?
A UAE visit visa is a short-term entry permit that lets you enter the country for tourism, visiting family or friends, or a short business trip. It is not a residence visa, and it does not give you the right to live or work in the UAE. If you plan to move to the Emirates for a longer stay, you will need a residence visa instead — the UAE Golden Visa is one of the long-term options available to eligible applicants, while freelancers can look at the UAE Freelance Visa.
Many nationalities — including citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, most of Europe, Australia and several other countries — do not need to apply in advance at all, because they receive a visa on arrival at the airport. Everyone else needs a pre-arranged visa before boarding the flight. If you are unsure which group you fall into, the eligibility checkers on the ICP and GDRFA websites will confirm it in a minute.
Types of UAE Visit Visa in 2026
The UAE currently offers several visit visa options, and the right one depends on how long you want to stay and whether someone in the UAE is sponsoring you.
30, 60 and 90-Day Tourist Visas
The standard tourist visa comes in 30, 60 and 90-day versions, in both single-entry and multiple-entry forms. A single-entry visa lets you enter once, while a multiple-entry visa lets you leave and re-enter the UAE as many times as you like while it is valid. The 30-day visa suits a short holiday, the 60-day visa works well for a longer break or a family visit, and the 90-day visa is the choice for visitors who want to spend a full season in the country.
Sponsored Visit Visa for Family and Friends
UAE residents can sponsor a visit visa for a relative or a friend. This is different from a tourist visa because a person in the UAE takes responsibility for the visitor. The sponsored visa is also available for 30, 60 or 90 days, in single or multiple-entry form, and it can usually be extended as long as the total stay does not go beyond 120 days.
Five-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa
Frequent travellers can apply for a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa. It allows unlimited entries over five years, with up to 90 days per visit, extendable by a further 90 days as long as the total stay in one year does not exceed 180 days. There is no sponsor needed, but the financial requirements are stricter than for a short tourist visa, as explained below.
Transit Visas
If you are only passing through the UAE on your way to another country, a transit visa covers stays of 48 or 96 hours. These are usually arranged through the airline you are flying with, and they are the cheapest option for a short stopover in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
UAE Visit Visa Fees in 2026
Fees depend on the visa type, the length of stay, whether it is single or multiple entry, and whether you apply through ICP or GDRFA Dubai. The figures below are the basic government fees listed by the authorities in 2026; service charges, VAT and health insurance are usually added on top, so the total you pay may be higher.
For a sponsored visit visa for a relative or friend, GDRFA Dubai lists single-entry fees of AED 200 for 30 days, AED 300 for 60 days and AED 400 for 90 days. The multiple-entry equivalents are AED 300, AED 500 and AED 700. For a standard tourist visa, GDRFA lists AED 252 plus 5% VAT for a 30-day single-entry visa and AED 352 plus VAT for 60 days, while multiple-entry tourist visas cost AED 300 plus VAT for 30 days and AED 500 plus VAT for 60 days.
The five-year multiple-entry tourist visa is the most expensive option. GDRFA lists a total of around AED 3,713.50, which includes a financial guarantee and service charges, while the ICP portal lists a total of around AED 3,775. Because fees are revised from time to time, treat these numbers as a guide and check the amount shown on the official portal at the moment you apply.
Who Can Sponsor a Visit Visa?
To sponsor a family member or friend, you must be a UAE resident with a valid residence visa and a valid Emirates ID. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) also sets minimum monthly salary requirements for sponsors.
Residents sponsoring a first-degree relative — such as a parent, spouse, son or daughter — must earn at least AED 4,000 per month. For second or third-degree relatives, the minimum is AED 8,000 per month. Sponsoring a friend who is not a relative requires a monthly salary of at least AED 15,000. These thresholds apply to the sponsor’s income, and you may be asked to show a salary certificate or labour contract as proof.
Documents Required for a UAE Visit Visa
The exact document list varies by visa type, but most applications ask for the same core items. Preparing them in advance makes the process much smoother.
You will need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry, with a clear colour scan of the bio-data page. A recent passport-size photograph with a white background is also required. For some nationalities — including Pakistani, Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan applicants — a national identity card must be submitted as well.
Most visit visa categories also require valid health insurance that covers you in the UAE, plus a confirmed return or onward travel ticket. If you are applying for a sponsored visa, you will need proof of your relationship to the sponsor and the sponsor’s documents, including their Emirates ID and proof of income. For the five-year multiple-entry visa, you must also provide a six-month bank statement showing a minimum balance of USD 4,000 (or the equivalent) maintained throughout the whole six-month period — not just on the day you apply.
How to Apply for a UAE Visit Visa
Applications are made online through the official government channels. The two main portals are ICP Smart Services (icp.gov.ae) for federal applications and the GDRFA Dubai portal (gdrfad.gov.ae) for Dubai. You can also apply through the ICP and GDRFA mobile apps, at Amer centres and customer happiness centres in person, or through an airline, hotel or licensed travel agency.
The online process is straightforward. First, create an account or sign in with UAE Pass — if you are new to the system, our UAE Pass setup guide walks through the process step by step. Then choose the visit visa service, fill in the visitor’s details, upload the documents, and pay the fee online. Most tourist and visit visa applications are processed within two to five working days, although times can vary during busy travel seasons.
One detail worth noting: the entry permit is usually valid for 60 days from the date it is issued, which means you must enter the UAE within that window. The five-year visa has the same 60-day window for first entry. If your travel dates change, do not apply too early.
Extending Your UAE Visit Visa
If you want to stay longer than your visa allows, you can usually apply for an extension before the visa expires. Sponsored visit visas can generally be extended once or more, provided the total stay does not exceed 120 days. A five-year visa stay of 90 days can be extended by a further 90 days, up to a maximum of 180 days in a single year.
Extensions are applied for through the same ICP or GDRFA channels, and a fee applies for each extension. Apply a few days before your current visa expires so that the new one is approved in time — leaving it to the last day risks an overstay, even if the application is still being processed.
Overstay Fines and Common Mistakes
Overstaying a UAE visa is expensive. The authorities currently list a fine of AED 50 per day for each day beyond the permitted stay, and the amount can add up quickly. There is no longer a generous grace period for most visa types, so mark your expiry date on your calendar the day your visa is issued.
The most common reasons applications are delayed or rejected are easy to avoid. A passport with less than six months’ validity is the top cause of problems, followed by blurry or cropped passport scans, missing health insurance, and bank statements that dip below the required balance during the six-month window. Double-check every document before uploading it, and make sure the name on the application matches the passport exactly.
Finally, remember that a visit visa never allows you to work in the UAE. Taking up employment on a tourist or visit visa can lead to heavy fines and a ban from the country, so if you find a job while visiting, you must switch to a proper work visa before starting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a UAE visit visa take to process?
Most tourist and sponsored visit visas are processed within two to five working days. The five-year multiple-entry visa usually takes around two days through ICP once all requirements are met, and around 48 hours through GDRFA. Applying during peak holiday seasons may take a little longer.
Can I extend a 30-day UAE visit visa?
Yes. Visit visas can generally be extended through ICP or GDRFA before they expire, for a fee. For sponsored visit visas the total stay usually cannot exceed 120 days, so plan your extension early and confirm the current rules on the official portal.
Do I need health insurance for a UAE visit visa?
Yes, valid health insurance covering your stay in the UAE is required for most visit visa categories, including the five-year multiple-entry visa. Check that your policy is accepted in the UAE before you apply.
What is the salary requirement to sponsor a friend on a visit visa?
To sponsor a friend, a UAE resident must earn at least AED 15,000 per month. The requirement is AED 4,000 per month for first-degree relatives and AED 8,000 per month for second or third-degree relatives.
Can I work in the UAE on a visit visa?
No. A visit or tourist visa does not allow you to work. If you are offered a job while visiting, your employer must arrange a proper work visa and residence permit before you start working.
Conclusion
The UAE visit visa system in 2026 is more flexible than it used to be, with 30, 60 and 90-day options, sponsored visas for family and friends, and a five-year multiple-entry visa for regular visitors. The key is choosing the right type for your trip, preparing your documents carefully, and applying through the official ICP or GDRFA channels. Fees and requirements do change, so confirm the latest figures on the government portals before you apply, and give yourself enough time for processing.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal or immigration advice. UAE visa rules, fees and eligibility requirements change from time to time. Always verify the current requirements on the official ICP (icp.gov.ae) or GDRFA (gdrfad.gov.ae) websites, or consult a licensed immigration adviser, before making travel or visa decisions.