UAE Tourist Visa 2026: 30 & 90-Day Options and Cost

The UAE tourist visa is the entry permit that lets most non-exempt nationalities visit the United Arab Emirates for leisure, family visits or short stays. The UAE tourist visa is the most-searched UAE visa type, and it comes in several durations with single-entry and multiple-entry options. This guide explains each duration, lists the cost of every visa type in AED and USD, and shows the three official ways to apply before you fly.

What the UAE tourist visa covers

The UAE tourist visa permits short visits for tourism and family stays across all seven emirates, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The visa does not permit paid work or long-term residence. Travellers whose nationality qualifies for visa on arrival usually do not need to pre-apply for this visa; everyone else applies online before departure. To confirm whether your passport needs a pre-arranged visa, read the full UAE visa guide by nationality or check your eligibility with the Dubai visa checker tool.

UAE tourist visa cost by visa type (AED and USD)

The cost of a UAE tourist visa depends on the duration and on whether the visa allows single or multiple entries. The 30-day single-entry tourist visa starts at approximately AED 100 (USD 27). The figures below show typical service-inclusive prices; final fees vary by the airline, hotel or agent processing the application.

Only the 30-day single-entry starting price (AED 100 / USD 27) is confirmed; all other figures are marked [VERIFY] and should be checked at the time of booking.

30-day vs 60-day vs 90-day: which duration to choose

The UAE tourist visa duration sets how long you may stay from your date of entry. Choose the duration that matches your itinerary, and add a multiple-entry option if you plan to leave and re-enter the UAE, for example on a side trip to Oman.

• 30-day visa suits a one-week to one-month holiday or a short family visit.
• 60-day visa suits longer stays, remote stays, or visitors splitting time between emirates.
• 90-day visa suits extended visits and snowbirds escaping a northern winter.
• Multiple-entry versions suit travellers making regional trips and returning to the UAE.

If your stay runs longer than your visa allows, you can usually extend it; learn how to extend your UAE tourist visa and its fees before your current visa expires.

How to apply for a UAE tourist visa

The UAE offers three official routes to apply for a tourist visa, and all three are completed online before you travel.

• Through your airline — carriers such as Emirates and Etihad arrange visas for ticket holders during or after booking.
• Through your hotel or tour operator — UAE hotels and licensed agents sponsor visit visas for confirmed guests.
• Directly via ICP — apply on icp.gov.ae, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security portal.

For a full walkthrough of the online process and document upload steps, follow the step-by-step UAE e-visa application guide.

Documents you need

• A passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
• A passport-style colour photo with a white background.
• A confirmed return or onward flight ticket.
• Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking. [VERIFY]

Border officers may also check entry documents on arrival; review the full Dubai entry requirements and airport checklist so you clear immigration without delay.

Photo and passport rules in detail

The UAE tourist visa application sets clear standards for your photo and passport. The passport must hold at least one blank page for an entry stamp and stay valid for six months beyond your arrival date. The photo must show a plain white background, full face and no headwear except for religious dress. A blurred photo or a passport scan with glare is the most common reason an application is returned, so capture both files in good light before you upload them.

Processing time and how the e-visa is delivered

The UAE tourist visa is processed electronically and returned by email rather than as a sticker in your passport. Standard processing usually takes a few working days, while express options shorten the wait at extra cost. Apply at least one week before departure to leave room for corrections. Once approved, save a copy of the e-visa on your phone and print a paper copy, because airline check-in staff and UAE immigration officers can both ask to see it. The same digital file is referenced again if you later request an extension.

UAE tourist visa rules every visitor should know

The UAE tourist visa carries practical rules that protect your stay and your money. Knowing them before you fly prevents fines and refused entry.

• Validity window vs stay period — the visa gives a window to enter the country and a separate stay count that starts on arrival, not on issue.
• One visa, all seven emirates — a single UAE tourist visa is valid in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and every other emirate.
• No paid work — the tourist visa does not permit employment; remote workers should consider a dedicated remote-work permit instead.
• Keep funds and bookings ready — officers may ask for proof of accommodation or onward travel at the border. [VERIFY]

Frequent visitors who return to the UAE several times a year often prefer a multiple-entry tourist visa or a longer-term option; to compare every category side by side, read the full UAE visa guide by nationality.

After approval: validity, entry and overstaying

Once approved, the UAE tourist visa is issued electronically and sent to your email. The visa carries a validity window in which you must enter the country, and a separate stay period that begins on the day you arrive. Overstaying a UAE tourist visa triggers a daily fine, so track your departure date carefully and arrange an extension in advance if you need more time. If your plans change after you arrive, an in-country extension is usually faster and cheaper than overstaying and paying penalties at the airport. Set a calendar reminder a few days before your stay period ends so you can decide whether to extend or depart on time.

Tips to get your UAE tourist visa approved faster

A clean UAE tourist visa application clears review quickly. These steps cut the most common delays.

• Match the name on your application exactly to the spelling in your passport, including middle names.
• Upload a colour passport scan that shows all four corners with no glare or shadow.
• Use a recent photo with a plain white background and your full face visible.
• Attach a confirmed return ticket and, where requested, a hotel booking in the traveller's name.
• Apply through one channel only; submitting the same trip through both an airline and an agent can flag a duplicate.
• Start at least a week ahead so a returned application still leaves time before your flight.

Once your visa is approved, plan the practical side of arrival as well; the Dubai entry requirements checklist covers eGates, customs allowances and what officers may ask to see.

Common reasons a UAE tourist visa is delayed or refused

Most UAE tourist visa problems trace back to documents rather than to the traveller. A passport with under six months of validity, a low-quality photo, or a mismatch between the application name and the passport name are the leading causes of a returned application. A previous overstay on a past visit can also slow a new approval. Applicants with an unusual travel history may be asked for extra documents such as a bank statement or a sponsor letter [VERIFY]. Reviewing your file against the checklist above before you submit avoids most of these holdups and keeps your booking on track.

Frequently asked questions