Before you fly
UAE Visa Information
Do I need a visa for the UAE?
You’ll find information about visas below. Use our quick visa search tool to see if you need a visa and the passport requirements for visiting the UAE.
UAE visa on arrival
30-day visit eligibility
If you are a passport holder of the below country or territory, no advance visa arrangements are required to visit the UAE. Simply disembark your flight at Dubai International and proceed to immigration, where your passport will be stamped with a 30-day visit visa free of charge.
| Andorra | Brunei | Hong Kong, China |
| Kazakhstan | Macau, China | Malaysia |
| Mauritius | Monaco | Mongolia |
| Republic of Ireland | Ukraine | Uzbekistan |
| Vatican City |
90-day visit eligibility
If you are a passport holder of one of the below countries or territories, your passport will be stamped with a multiple entry 90-day visit visa that's valid for 6 months from the date of issue, and for a stay of 90 days in total. Citizens of the below European countries are also entitled to apply for a pre-arranged visit visa if their 90-day visa on arrival has been fully utilized.
| Albania | Argentina | Armenia |
| Austria | Australia | Azerbaijan |
| Bahamas Islands | Barbados | Belarus |
| Belgium | Bosnia | Brazil |
| Bulgaria | Canada | Chile |
| China | Colombia | Costa Rica |
| Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic |
| Denmark | Ecuador | El Salvador |
| Estonia | Fiji | Finland |
| France | Georgia | Germany |
| Greece | Honduras | Hungary |
| Iceland | Israel | Italy |
| Japan | Kiribati | Kosovo |
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | Macedonia | Maldives |
| Malta | Moldova | Montenegro |
| Nauru | Netherlands | New Zealand |
| Norway | Paraguay | Peru |
| Poland | Portugal | Republic Of Guyana |
| Romania | Russian Federation | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| San Marino | Serbia | Seychelles |
| Singapore | Slovakia | Slovenia |
| Solomon Islands | South Korea | Spain |
| Sweden | Switzerland | United Kingdom and Northern Ireland |
| United States of America | Uruguay |
180-day visit eligibility
If you hold a Mexican passport you’re eligible for a multiple entry 180-day visit visa that's valid for 6 months from the date of issue, and for a stay of 180 days in total.
Dubai immigration procedures
As an added security measure, Immigration Authorities at Dubai International are now conducting random eye screening for visitors to Dubai.
Visitors asked to proceed for eye screening are required to present a hard copy of their visa or a printed version of the visa number confirmation page at the screening counter. If you do not have a copy with you, a charge of AED 30 per copy applies - payable only in AED.
Important information
Before you travel to the UAE, please check your visa requirements and make sure you have a valid visa if needed, or if your passport needs to be valid for 6 months. Holders of non-standard passports and travel documents may also have different entry requirements: find out if you need to apply for a visa and other passport requirements.
As of 29 April 2016, GCC residence permit holders will need to apply for a UAE visa before arriving in Dubai.
Sponsoring someone to visit the UAE
Eligibility
If you have a family member, near relative or friend who is a UAE resident, they can apply for a visa on your behalf at any of our ticketing offices in the UAE. Please note that this service is only available to residents of the UAE.
Required visitor documents:
- Visa application form (available at all Emirates Ticketing Offices) in Arabic or English depending on the applicant’s nationality.
- Coloured copy of the passenger’s passport external cover page.
- Colour photograph of applicant meeting the following requirements:
- Face and pose: Look directly at the camera with your head centred in the frame. Your face should occupy most of the image.
- Expression: Maintain a neutral, natural expression with your mouth closed. Do not smile broadly or show your teeth.
- Eyes: Keep your eyes open and clearly visible, looking straight at the camera. Ensure no hair, shadows or eyewear frames obstruct your eyes.
- Headwear and glasses: Do not wear hats or caps. Glasses are permitted only if the lenses are clear and free from glare or dark tint.
- Lighting: Use even lighting from the front to avoid strong shadows on your face or the background.
- Background and image quality: Use a plain, light-coloured background. The photo must be sharp, in focus and free from filters or colour effects.
- Colour passport copy, valid for 6 months
- A copy of the passenger’s Emirates Airline ticket, or codeshare flight that starts with the code “EK”, and the ticket number should start with “176”.
- Birth certificate copy for minors (Arabic or English) is required.
- Proof of relationship is required.
- Tenancy contract (Ejari) under the sponsor’s name or hotel booking under the visitor’s name is required.
- Additional documents may be required by the UAE authorities.
Required sponsor documents:
| Sponsor's employer | Sponsor documents |
|---|---|
| Emirates Airline & Dnata Employee |
|
| Government/ Semi-Government |
|
| Free-zone company |
|
| Private company |
|
| Investor/Partner |
|
| UAE Golden Visa holder |
|
Minimum salary required
| Visitor/applicant | Minimum salary of sponsor |
|---|---|
| Wife/ Children/ Parents/ Parents In-Law | AED 4,000 |
| Brothers/ Sisters/ Dependants | AED 5,500 |
| Brothers/ Sisters In-Law | AED 7,000 |
| Friends and other relatives | AED 10,000 |
Terms and conditions
- Visitors must travel In & Out through Dubai on Emirates Airline. A copy of Emirates Airline ticket, or code share flight that starts with the code “EK”, and the ticket number that starts with “176”.
- Tourist Visas are valid for 60 days to enter Dubai and Transit Visas are valid for 30 days to enter Dubai.
- Visa processing time is approximately '2-4' working days.
- Visas fees are non refundable once application is submitted and processed.
- Visa fees must be paid upon application.
- AED 50 will be deducted from the Tourist visa fee upon refund if the application is processed in the system, Sponsor requests to hold the visa application before submission or unable to provide more documents requested by the UAE Immigration or provides visa application with missing documents.
- Visa fees for Transit visa types are non-refundable in any case.
- A refundable deposit of AED 1,000 is required when sponsoring a friend or relative without proof. The sponsor must claim the deposit within 2 years from the application submission date.
- The sponsor is legally responsible for the visitor’s overstay fines.
- Visa Deposit fees are non-refundable if visitor overstayed or EK ticket misused (flown by other Airline).
- The Emirates ticket is non-refundable if the visa has been issued and utilized.
- Additional documents may be required by the UAE Authorities. Additional visa service fees may apply.
- Entry into the UAE is subject to Immigration approval.
- Failure to comply with all above Terms and Conditions, the visa deposit will be non-refundable.