UAE Visit Visa Types and Costs 2026: 30, 60 and 90-Day Prices in Dubai, Single or Multiple Entry, Visa on Arrival, Who Needs a Visa and How to Apply
A UAE visit visa comes in three main forms: a free visa on arrival for many nationalities, a tourist visa through an airline, hotel or travel agency, and a visit visa sponsored by a relative or friend who lives in the UAE. For a relative or friend, GDRFA Dubai charges AED 200, AED 300 or AED 400 for 30, 60 or 90 days single entry, plus VAT, insurance and a refundable AED 1,000 deposit. This guide lists every visit visa type, the durations and prices, who needs a visa, how to apply, how long approval takes and how to extend.
🧳 What types of UAE visit visa are there?
The UAE issues visit visas (entry permits) for tourism, visiting a relative or friend, exploring jobs or business, medical treatment, study and training, missions and transit. For most visitors, it comes down to these options:
| Visa type | Who it is for | Who applies |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival | Citizens of eligible countries | Nobody — stamped at the airport |
| Tourist visa (30, 60 or 90 days) | Holiday visitors | Airline, hotel or travel agency |
| Relative or friend visit visa | Parents, spouse, children, siblings, friends of a resident | The UAE resident or citizen |
| 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa | Frequent visitors | The visitor, through GDRFA or ICP |
| Job or business exploration visa | Job seekers and investors | The visitor; no sponsor needed |
| Medical, study and transit visas | Patients, students, transit passengers | Hospital, institution or airline |
| New 2025 categories | AI specialists, entertainers, event visitors, cruise and leisure boat tourists | The hosting company or operator |
What is the difference between a tourist visa and a family visit visa?
A tourist visa is sponsored by a tourism company, hotel or airline, and its price includes their charge. A relative or friend visit visa is sponsored by a UAE resident, who pays the government fee and a refundable deposit directly. For parents or a spouse, the family visit visa is usually cheaper — see our family visit visa guide.
🗓️ How long is a UAE visit visa valid?
Single entry or multiple entry: which one do I need?
Choose single entry when the visitor comes once and stays. Choose multiple entry when the visitor will leave and come back during the visa — for example a trip to Oman. Multiple entry costs more and the deposit doubles to AED 2,000.
💰 How much does a UAE visit visa cost in 2026?
The clearest official prices are for the relative or friend visit visa issued by GDRFA Dubai. ICP, which issues visas in the other emirates, shows its own total before payment.
| Duration | Single entry | Multiple entry | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | AED 200 | AED 300 | AED 40 |
| 60 days | AED 300 | AED 500 | AED 60 |
| 90 days | AED 400 | AED 700 | AED 90 |
Add 5% VAT on the visa fee. The deposit is AED 1,000 for single entry and AED 2,000 for multiple entry, refunded after the visitor leaves on time; GDRFA lists AED 20 deposit service and AED 40 collection and refund fees.
How much is a tourist visa for Dubai?
Tourist visa prices are set by the airline, hotel or travel agency that sponsors the visa, and they change often. Compare the total — visa, insurance and any deposit — before you pay, and make sure the visa is issued by the agency itself, not a reseller with no UAE licence.
What does the 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa cost?
Gulf News lists a total of about AED 650 for the 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa. Each stay is up to 90 days, extendable once by 90 days, with no more than 180 days in the UAE in one year. The amount shown in the system when you apply is final.
🧾 What is the total cost of a relative visit visa with deposit and insurance?
An approximate total for a single-entry visa from GDRFA Dubai, for a visitor outside the UAE:
Fees as published by GDRFA Dubai on 15 October 2026; the amount shown in the GDRFA or ICP system when you pay is the final reference.
Does a visit visa cost more if the visitor is already in the UAE?
Yes. GDRFA adds AED 500 inside-country fee, AED 10 Knowledge fee and AED 10 Innovation fee — AED 520 in total — when the visitor is already inside the country.
Is it cheaper to apply online or at an Amer centre?
| DIY online (GDRFA / ICP with UAE Pass) | Amer centre | |
|---|---|---|
| Government fees | The same — from AED 200 | The same — from AED 200 |
| Typing fee | None | Added by the centre |
| Who fills the form | The sponsor | A typist checks and submits |
🌍 Who needs a visa for the UAE, and who gets a visa on arrival?
GCC citizens need no visa. Citizens of many other countries get a free visit visa stamped on arrival:
Do Indian citizens need a visa for the UAE?
Indian citizens with an ordinary passport get a visa on arrival if they hold a valid visa, residence permit or green card from the USA, the UK, the EU, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada; a fee applies. Other Indian travellers need a tourist visa or a relative visit visa before they fly.
Do Russian citizens need a visa for the UAE?
No visa is needed in advance: Russian citizens get a free visit visa on arrival for up to 90 days.
💼 What salary do I need to sponsor a visit visa for a relative or friend?
| Visitor | Sponsor's monthly income |
|---|---|
| Parents, spouse, children (first degree) | AED 4,000 |
| Siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, cousins | AED 8,000 |
| Friends | AED 15,000 |
The sponsor needs a valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, and proves income with a salary certificate, an employment contract or partnership documents.
🪜 How do I apply for a UAE visit visa?
How long does a UAE visit visa take to approve?
About 48 hours for a relative or friend visit visa from GDRFA Dubai when the documents are complete. Missing papers, a security check or a weekend can add days, so apply at least a week before the flight.
🕰️ Old rules vs 2026: what has changed for UAE visit visas?
| Topic | Before | Now (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Grace period after expiry | 10 days (until 2023) | None — the fine starts the day after expiry |
| Overstay fine | Different daily rates | AED 50 a day for all visas, every emirate |
| Sponsor salary for a visit visa | No published income rule by relationship | AED 4,000 / AED 8,000 / AED 15,000 by relationship (from 2025) |
| Extensions | A 30-day visa could be extended twice by 30 days | One or more times, up to 120 days (tourist) or 180 days (relative, friend) |
| Visit visa categories | Tourism, relatives, job seekers, treatment | Plus AI specialists, entertainment, events, cruise and leisure boats (from 2025) |
| Indian visa on arrival | Only with a US, UK or EU visa or residence | Also Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada (from February 2025) |
📅 Can a UAE visit visa be extended?
Yes, before it expires. Most visit visas can be extended inside the UAE one or more times — up to 120 days in total for a tourist visa and up to 180 days for a relative or friend visa. In Dubai an extension costs about AED 1,150 with VAT and inside-country fees. Full details in our visit visa extension guide.
What happens if a visit visa expires?
There is no grace period: the fine is AED 50 a day from the day after expiry, and leaving with a fine adds an exit pass of about AED 450 at the airport. Check any fine with our visa fine check guide.
🏠 Can a visit visa be changed to a residence visa?
Yes, for family members. If the sponsor meets the family visa rules — a salary of AED 4,000, or AED 3,000 plus accommodation in the MOHRE salary certificate, for a spouse and children; AED 10,000, an AED 5,000 deposit and a 2BHK home for parents — the residence entry permit is issued with a change of status inside the UAE, without leaving. Compare the family visa cost inside vs outside the UAE and read how to apply for a UAE family visa.
🤝 Visit visa services by FamilyVisa.ae
FamilyVisa.ae arranges visit visas and the next steps for families — online, from your phone:
📝 Quick recap
- Three main routes: visa on arrival (eligible passports), tourist visa (airline, hotel, agency) and relative or friend visa (UAE resident sponsor).
- Dubai relative visa: AED 200 / AED 300 / AED 400 for 30 / 60 / 90 days single entry; AED 300 / AED 500 / AED 700 multiple entry.
- Add VAT, insurance and a refundable deposit of AED 1,000 (single) or AED 2,000 (multiple).
- Sponsor salary: AED 4,000 for close family, AED 8,000 for other relatives, AED 15,000 for friends.
- Approval in about 48 hours; no grace period after expiry — AED 50 a day.
🔗 Related guides
- UAE visit visa extension
- UAE family visit visa
- Visa fine check and overstay calculator
- Visa grace period in the UAE
- How to apply for a UAE family visa
- Parents visa in Dubai
❓ Frequently asked questions
1. How much does a UAE visit visa cost?
It depends on the type. A relative or friend visit visa from GDRFA Dubai costs AED 200, AED 300 or AED 400 for 30, 60 or 90 days single entry, plus 5% VAT, insurance and a refundable AED 1,000 deposit. Tourist visa prices are set by the airline, hotel or agency.
2. What is the Dubai visit visa price for 3 months?
A 90-day single-entry visit visa for a relative or friend costs AED 400 at GDRFA, plus VAT, AED 90 insurance and the refundable AED 1,000 deposit. A 90-day multiple-entry visa costs AED 700 with an AED 2,000 deposit.
3. What is the 2 month visit visa price in the UAE?
For a relative or friend in Dubai, a 60-day single-entry visit visa costs AED 300 and a 60-day multiple-entry visa AED 500, plus VAT, insurance and the refundable deposit.
4. Is the visit visa deposit refundable?
Yes. The AED 1,000 deposit for a single-entry visa, or AED 2,000 for a multiple-entry visa, is refunded after the visitor leaves on time. GDRFA lists small deposit service and refund fees.
5. Who gets a visa on arrival in the UAE?
Citizens of many countries, including the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, Singapore, the EU states and Russia, get a free visit visa stamped on arrival for 30 or 90 days. GCC citizens need no visa. The list changes, so check with your airline before you fly.
6. Do Indian citizens get a UAE visa on arrival?
Indian citizens with an ordinary passport get a visa on arrival when they hold a valid visa, residence permit or green card from the USA, the UK, the EU, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. A fee applies. Others need a visa before travel.
7. Do Russian citizens need a visa for the UAE?
No visa is needed in advance. Russian citizens receive a free visit visa on arrival for up to 90 days.
8. How long does a UAE visit visa take to approve?
GDRFA Dubai states about 48 hours for a relative or friend visit visa when the documents are complete. For a tourist visa, the airline, hotel or agency gives its own processing time.
9. What salary do I need to sponsor a visit visa?
AED 4,000 a month for parents, a spouse or children; AED 8,000 for siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins; and AED 15,000 for friends.
10. What is the difference between single and multiple entry?
A single-entry visa allows one entry within its period. A multiple-entry visa lets the visitor leave and come back during its validity; it costs more and needs a higher deposit.
11. Can a visit visa be extended?
Yes. Most visit visas can be extended inside the UAE before they expire: up to 120 days in total for tourist visas and up to 180 days for relative or friend visas. In Dubai an extension costs about AED 1,150.
12. Is there a grace period after a visit visa expires?
No. The overstay fine of AED 50 a day starts on the day after the visa expires.
13. What is the 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa?
A tourist visa valid for five years that allows stays of up to 90 days each, extendable once by 90 days, with no more than 180 days in the UAE in one year. Gulf News lists a total of about AED 650.
14. Can a visit visa holder work in the UAE?
No. A visit visa does not allow work. A job-exploration visa lets the holder look for work, but employment needs a work permit and residence visa.
15. Which documents are needed for a relative visit visa?
The visitor's passport (valid for six months) and photos, proof of relationship such as a marriage or birth certificate, and the sponsor's salary certificate or employment contract. Some nationalities also need their national ID card.
16. Which new visit visas were introduced in 2025?
ICP added visit visas for artificial intelligence specialists, entertainment professionals, event visitors, and cruise ship and leisure boat tourists.
17. Do visit visas include medical insurance?
A Dubai relative or friend visit visa includes an insurance fee: AED 40 for 30 days, AED 60 for 60 days and AED 90 for 90 days.
18. Is a visit visa cheaper if the visitor is already in the UAE?
No, it costs more. GDRFA adds AED 500 inside-country fee plus AED 20 when the visitor is already inside the UAE.
19. Can my wife or parents switch from a visit visa to residence?
Yes. If you meet the family visa rules, a residence entry permit can be issued with a change of status inside the UAE, without leaving.
20. Can FamilyVisa.ae apply for a visit visa for my family?
Yes. Send the visitor's passport and your residence details on WhatsApp. We check the right visa type, the salary rule and the total before applying.
Last reviewed 15 October 2026. Rules and fees are set by GDRFA Dubai and ICP and can change; the fees quoted are the amounts FamilyVisa.ae pays on 15 October 2026, and the amount shown in the GDRFA or ICP system when you apply is the final reference. Every application is decided by the immigration authorities. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Main official sources: GDRFA Dubai — visit visa for a relative or friend, u.ae — visit visas, ICP — visa services. FamilyVisa.ae is operated by 800 DOCS LLC SOC, a DET-licensed private visa services company in Dubai — not a government office.
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