How to apply for a UAE visit visa

A visit visa needs a sponsor. That can be ICP or GDRFA directly, or an airline, a hotel, a tourism company, a UAE based company, or an individual already living here on a valid residence visa. The application goes in before you travel, and ICP’s service card puts the completion time at two days.

Have these ready before you start:

• A passport valid for at least six months from the date you plan to enter.
• The sponsor’s details, whether that is a company, a hotel, an airline or a resident.
• Payment for the fees, and for the financial guarantee where one is required.
• A clean immigration record, since a previous deportation or ban blocks the application until special permission is obtained.

1. Confirm you actually need a visit visa, rather than qualifying for visa free entry or a visa on arrival.
2. Choose single entry or multiple entry. The issuance fee differs, at AED 100 and AED 200 per month respectively.
3. Apply through ICP, through GDRFA for a Dubai sponsor, or through the airline, hotel or agent sponsoring you.
4. Pay the fees, including the AED 100 application fee and the AED 100 smart service fee.
5. Wait for issuance and travel with the visa and the passport it was issued against.

What this does not mean

A visit visa does not allow work, and it is not a step towards residence: changing status is a separate process with its own conditions. It is also not open ended. Extending is a distinct service, at AED 100 to apply plus AED 500 to extend an entry, and staying past the permitted date costs AED 50 for every extra day.

The full price list is in how much a visit visa is. If you overstay, see how to pay an overstay fine. For moving rather than visiting, see our guide to UAE residence visa costs.

Sources: ICP, Issuance of a Visa (fees, two day completion); ICP, Visa Extension; ICP, Payment of visa or residence violation fine (AED 50 per day); Abu Dhabi Residents Office (who may sponsor, passport validity, effect of a ban).