How to Apply for a UAE e-Visa in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

The UAE e-Visa is the electronic entry permit that lets eligible travellers apply for a United Arab Emirates visa entirely online, without visiting an embassy. The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) issues the e-Visa through its official portal at icp.gov.ae. Applicants in Dubai may also apply through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Processing usually takes 3-5 working days, and you receive the approved visa as a PDF by email.

This guide explains the full UAE e-Visa application in plain, numbered steps. It covers the documents you must prepare, how to complete the ICP form, the standard processing window, the most common reasons applications fail, and what to do if your visa is delayed. The instructions apply to the standard tourist e-Visa, which most visitors planning a UAE holiday will use to enter Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates.

An e-Visa differs from a visa-on-arrival. With an e-Visa you secure approval before you fly, which protects you against being denied boarding by the airline. The ICP system links your visa to your passport number, so the details you enter must match your passport exactly. Once approved, the e-Visa is checked electronically at the UAE port of entry, where an immigration officer scans your passport and confirms the permit on file.

UAE e-Visa quick facts

Key e-Visa details at a glance

Issuing authority	ICP (icp.gov.ae) or GDRFA (Dubai)
Application method	Fully online (portal, ICP UAE app, or accredited agent)
Processing time	~3-5 working days
Core documents	Passport scan, photo (white background), return ticket
Visa types	30-day and 60-day tourist visas, single or multiple entry [VERIFY]
Government fee	AED 350 (USD 95) [VERIFY]
Delivery format	PDF e-Visa sent by email

Before you begin, confirm which permit fits your trip. Travellers comparing entry permits should compare UAE tourist visa types and durations first, because the e-Visa application form asks you to select the visa category up front. The two most common tourist categories are the 30-day visa and the 60-day visa, each available as single-entry or multiple-entry [VERIFY]. A single-entry visa permits one arrival within the validity period, while a multiple-entry visa suits travellers who plan to leave and re-enter the UAE during their stay.

Who can apply for a UAE e-Visa

Most international visitors who are not eligible for visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival can apply for a UAE e-Visa. Eligibility depends primarily on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. The standard tourist e-Visa covers leisure travel, family visits and short stays; separate categories exist for transit, business and longer residence permits [VERIFY].

You can submit the application yourself through the ICP portal, or an airline, hotel or accredited travel agent can sponsor and submit it on your behalf. Many tour operators bundle the e-Visa with travel packages. Whichever route you choose, the same core documents and the same 3-5 working-day processing window apply. Children and minors require their own application, supported by the accompanying parent's or guardian's passport details [VERIFY].

Documents checklist for the UAE e-Visa

The UAE e-Visa application requires a small set of digital files. Prepare every document below before you open the form, because the portal times out after a period of inactivity. Each file should be clear, in colour, and within the portal's size limits.

• Passport bio-data page — a colour scan valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date.
• Passport-style photograph — recent, against a plain white background, showing the full face.
• Confirmed return or onward ticket — proof you will leave the UAE within the visa validity.
• Hotel booking or host details — your UAE address or accommodation confirmation [VERIFY].
• Email address and mobile number — used to receive the approved e-Visa and status updates.
• Payment card — a valid credit or debit card for the government fee.

Nationals of some countries qualify for visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry instead of an e-Visa. To confirm whether you need to apply at all, check the UAE visa requirements for your nationality before paying any fee.

Prepare your files in a single folder before you start. The ICP portal accepts common image and PDF formats, and each file must sit within the stated size limit [VERIFY]. Photographing a document with a phone often produces glare or shadow, so a flatbed scan or a clean, well-lit photo on a plain surface gives the best result. A rejected upload is the single most avoidable cause of delay, so spend a few extra minutes here to keep your application inside the standard processing window.

How to apply for the UAE e-Visa: step-by-step

Follow these numbered steps to complete the online UAE visa application from start to approval.

1. Open the official ICP portal. Visit icp.gov.ae (or the ICP UAE smart app) and create an account using your email and mobile number. Use only the official ICP or GDRFA channels to avoid fraudulent copy-cat sites.
2. Select the visa service. Choose "Entry Permit" or "Tourist Visa" and pick the duration and entry type that matches your travel plans, such as a 30-day single-entry tourist visa.
3. Enter your personal and passport details. Type your name, nationality, date of birth and passport number exactly as they appear on your passport bio-data page.
4. Upload your documents. Attach the passport scan, white-background photograph and return ticket from your checklist. Confirm each upload is legible before continuing.
5. Add your UAE stay details. Enter your arrival date and your hotel booking or host address in the Emirates.
6. Review the application. Check every field against your passport, because a mismatch is the most common reason for rejection or delay.
7. Pay the government fee. Settle the fee online with your card. The portal displays the total before you confirm payment.
8. Track the application status. Use your reference number on the portal or app to monitor progress while ICP processes the request, typically within 3-5 working days.
9. Download and print the e-Visa. Once approved, ICP emails the e-Visa as a PDF. Save a digital copy and carry a printout to present at the UAE port of entry.

The approved e-Visa governs your permission to fly, but immigration officers make the final entry decision at the airport. Travellers should also review the current Dubai entry requirements for any health, customs or accommodation rules that apply on arrival.

What happens after approval

After ICP approves the application, the system sends the e-Visa PDF to the email address on the form. The document shows your name, passport number, visa number, validity dates and entry type. Check every field against your passport the moment it arrives. If you spot an error, contact ICP support before you travel rather than at the airport, because correcting an issued visa takes longer than catching it early.

Carry both a printed copy and a saved digital copy of the e-Visa. Airline check-in staff may ask to see it before they issue a boarding pass, and UAE immigration may request it on arrival even though the permit is verified electronically. Note the visa's validity start date: a tourist e-Visa is usually valid for entry within 60 days of issue, after which it expires unused [VERIFY]. Plan your travel dates so you arrive comfortably inside that window.

UAE e-Visa fees and payment

The UAE e-Visa government fee varies by visa type, duration and entry count. The ICP portal calculates and displays the exact total before you confirm payment, so you always see the final amount in advance. A common 30-day single-entry tourist visa fee is in the region of AED 350 (USD 95) [VERIFY], while 60-day and multiple-entry visas cost more [VERIFY]. Agents and packages may add a service charge on top of the government fee.

Pay only on the official ICP portal or through a recognised sponsor. The portal accepts major credit and debit cards. Keep the payment receipt and reference number, because you need the reference to track the application and to raise any support query. If a third-party website asks for payment outside the official channels, treat it as a warning sign and stop.

Processing time and what to do if it is delayed

ICP processes most UAE e-Visa applications within 3-5 working days, though peak travel seasons and document errors can extend the wait. Apply at least two weeks before your departure date to leave room for corrections. If your application stays "under process" beyond the expected window, log in to the portal, check for requested clarifications, and contact ICP customer support [VERIFY] through the official channels. Never resubmit a duplicate application, because a duplicate can flag your file for review.

Common reasons UAE e-Visa applications get rejected

• Names or passport numbers that do not match the passport bio-data page exactly.
• A photograph taken against a coloured or patterned background instead of plain white.
• A passport with less than six months of validity remaining.
• Missing proof of onward or return travel.
• Blurred, cropped or low-resolution document scans.

Correcting these issues before submission keeps your application inside the standard 3-5 working-day window.

Frequently asked questions about the UAE e-Visa

Where do I apply for the UAE e-Visa?

You apply for the UAE e-Visa on the official ICP portal at icp.gov.ae or the ICP UAE app. Applicants travelling to Dubai may alternatively use the GDRFA channel. Avoid unofficial websites that copy these portals.

How long does the UAE e-Visa take to process?

The UAE e-Visa typically takes around 3-5 working days to process after you submit a complete application. Applying at least two weeks before departure allows time for any corrections.

What documents do I need for the UAE e-Visa?

You need a colour scan of your passport bio-data page, a passport-style photograph against a white background, and a confirmed return ticket. Hotel or host details and a valid payment card are also required.

Do I need to visit a UAE embassy to get the e-Visa?

No. The UAE e-Visa is issued entirely online through ICP, so there is no embassy visit. The approved visa arrives as a PDF by email, which you print and carry to the airport.

How much does the UAE e-Visa cost?

The government fee depends on the visa type and duration; a common 30-day tourist visa fee is around AED 350 (USD 95) [VERIFY]. The portal shows the exact total before you confirm payment.

What should I do if my UAE e-Visa is delayed beyond 5 days?

If processing exceeds the usual 3-5 working days, log in to the ICP portal to check for requested clarifications and contact official ICP support. Do not submit a duplicate application, as duplicates can delay your file further.

Does every nationality need a UAE e-Visa?

No. Some nationalities qualify for visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival. Confirm your status against the UAE visa requirements for your nationality before applying or paying any fee.