United Arab Emirates Visa Requirements
Handled by VisaHQ. Government fees are set by the destination country.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I apply for my United Arab Emirates e-visa?
Apply as early as you can once your travel dates are set. Processing times can vary, especially around holidays or peak travel seasons, so leaving it until the last few days before your flight is risky — an e-visa that's still pending when you're due to board can mean being denied boarding.
What happens if my United Arab Emirates e-visa application is rejected?
Rejections do happen, and the reason isn't always given in detail. If yours is rejected, check that every field matched your passport exactly, that your passport has enough remaining validity, and that any required photo or document met the stated format — then reapply or, if time is short, contact United Arab Emirates's official visa portal or nearest consulate directly rather than guessing.
Can I extend my stay in United Arab Emirates once I'm there?
Yes. You can apply from inside United Arab Emirates to stay longer, and you must do it before your current permission runs out. The official fee is AED 630. Extensions are granted in 30-day blocks. A 30-day visit visa can normally be extended twice, a 60-day visa once. All visit-visa holders are subject to a 180-day cap within any 12-month period. The total depends on which authority issued the visa. ICP (federal) publishes AED 100 application plus AED 500 extension. GDRFA Dubai publishes AED 600 plus 5% VAT, and a Dubai in-country extension commonly totals AED 1,100–1,200 once the inside-country fee and dirham charges are added. Apply online through the ICP portal or GDRFA before your current visa expires. Since December 2025 this can be done entirely from inside the UAE, which ended the old practice of exiting and re-entering to reset a stay. Transit visas and certain mission-specific permits cannot be extended in-country at all. Because there is no grace period, an extension filed late is worth nothing — fines start immediately.
Is the information on this page guaranteed to be accurate?
We check what we publish against official sources where we can, and clearly flag anything still pending verification. Even so, visa rules change — sometimes with very little notice — so please treat this page as a strong starting point, not a final word, and confirm directly with the official source linked above before you book or fly.
Documents required
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry
- Passport-style colour photograph against a white background
- Confirmed return or onward flight booking
- Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking or a host address
- Sponsor details, where the visa is sponsored by an airline, hotel or resident
- Proof of sufficient funds, such as a recent bank statement
Before you travel — checklist
- Check your passport has enough remaining validity for your trip to United Arab Emirates — many countries require at least 6 months beyond your travel dates, even for visa-free entry.
- Start your e-visa/authorisation process well before your travel date — don't leave this until the last few days.
- Budget for the entry fee (AED 250–350 (30 days) · AED 500–600 (60 days)) and check whether it needs to be paid in a specific currency or method.
- Note this specific requirement for United Arab Emirates: May apply online using 'Smart service'..
- Check whether United Arab Emirates requires proof of onward or return travel — some border officers ask for this even when it isn't formally listed as a requirement.
- Consider travel insurance that covers your trip to United Arab Emirates, particularly if any medical or emergency evacuation coverage is required or advisable for the region.
- This page's details for United Arab Emirates are still pending full verification — confirm everything directly with an official government source before finalising your plans.
Visa rules change — sometimes with very little notice. This page reflects our best information as of 2026, but if you're reading this later than that, treat it as a starting point rather than the final word, and always confirm with the official source above before you travel.