Tuesday 19 March 2024 (UAE)

Tourist visa for Dubai UAE

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Tourist Visa Abu Dhabi Dubai Sharjah UAE

Tourist Visas are usually available to all nationalities, except Israeli passport holders, and must be prearranged, often through a hotel but possibly also through an airline or other travel related company based in the UAE (new visa rules after July 2008). Some hotels, travel agents, airlines and other companies will only arrange a Tourist Visa for a customer, others will give you a choice of tourist or visit visa. Tourist visa is about 30%-50% cheaper than a visit visa.

If you find a job while on a tourist visa, you cannot do a status change to employment visa within the UAE (you can if on a visit visa), you must exit the UAE and re-enter on a new employment entry permit.

Citizens of one of the free visa on arrival countries can obtain a UAE Visit Visa (different from a Tourist Visa) on arrival at any border entry point to the UAE simply by presenting their passport at passport control. To obtain a tourist visa for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, our best understanding is you should do one of the following:

Information about the 14 day tourist visa is included on the transit visa page since it is more often referred to as a transit visa or service visa.

Etihad Airlines announced on 31 January 2012 a free UAE tourist visa promotion (although it appears to be a 96 hour transit visa they are talking about). See the Etihad page for more information.

Table below lists some official or government UAE sources of visa information and date of information. If no date given, assume it was last checked 04 May 2009 (but that doesn't mean it was still valid). Obviously there are some conflicts. Any other UAE visa information sources will usually be based on one of the sources below. Many sources rarely update old visa information so it still ends up appearing in search results even when it's out of date (and yes, we're guilty of that too sometimes).

01 Jan 2015 (table not yet updated - most official sources still have old information): The GDRFA increased tourist visa fees from AED 210 to AED 250, and removed the possibility of a 10 day extension (or grace period), and one month renewable option. Multiple entry tourist visa cost increased to AED 350. Fees increased for visit visas also. Prices for tourist visas from travel agents about AED 350-500. There appears to now be a 90 day tourist visa available, for AED 1,200-1,700 from airlines and travel agents.

Source & date Requirements Restrictions Validity Length of stay Apply at Fees Fees
eform
Fees
ednrd
DNRD fee table     60 days 30 days     AED220 AED210
DNRD website 2008 passport, insurance, Dh1000 deposit   60 days 30 days (R) eDNRD   AED220 AED210
EY website E-Visa Dh5000 deposit or guarantee letter   * 30 days (R) Etihad AED450    
AA website passport, insurance, AA ticket, Dh7500 deposit, sponsor¹     30 days Air Arabia AED400    
dubaitourism.ae 05 Mar 2006 hotel or tour operator sponsored limited countries   30 days (NR)   AED110    
uaeinteract.com hotel or tour operator sponsored limited countries   30 days (NR)   AED110    
government.ae 31 Mar 2003 hotel or tour operator sponsored limited countries   30 days (NR)   AED110    
southtravels.com scanned passport, photos females < 24 yrs   30 days (NR) South Travel US$290    

1. Documents needed if visa is sponsored by a UAE resident (this information might not apply to tourist visas or visit visas after July 2008)

Passport validity period for tourists visiting Dubai and UAE

Tourist visa cancellation and overstaying a tourist visa in the UAE
Change of status, converting Tourist Visa to Employment Entry Permit

For visitors seeking a job in the UAE while on a holiday or visit, the question of what to do about your tourist visa comes up if you find work.

Tourist visa ban for some nationalities
Airlines providing tourist and transit visas to the UAE

Some airlines with flights to the UAE will provide tourist visas to passengers flying with them. Contact the airline at least a couple of weeks in advance to arrange a visa.

Air Arabia tourist visa special offer summer 2009: Air Arabia are offering a flight + 30 day UAE tourist visa package for AED 975 (plus airport taxes) return to any Air Arabia destination. Depart from 15 June to 31 July 2009, return from 16 July to 10 September 2009.

UAE tourist visa agencies overseas
Old Tourist Visa Dubai - no longer valid, information here for reference only

References

Last update Wednesday 12-Aug-2015
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www.dubaifaqs.com/visa-tourist-dubai.php (PDF and print version).

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