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Whether you need a Dubai visa depends on the passport you hold. GCC citizens need none. Passports the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs marks as visa free, such as Malaysia, get a visa on arrival. Seven nationalities, including India and the Philippines, can get a visa on arrival if they hold a qualifying US, UK, EU or other foreign visa or residence. Everyone else needs a visa issued before travel, usually a GDRFA tourist visa from AED 210 or a visit visa sponsored by a UAE resident.
The three situations
Visa free. The MOFA visa exemptions page marks these passports as "Visa Free". You get the visa at the airport. For Malaysians the stamp is 30 days, multiple entry, according to the Malaysian consulate in Dubai.
Visa required, with a residence-based shortcut. ICP's visa for nationals residing abroad covers India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa. With a valid visa or residence from the US, an EU state or the UK, or a residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand, you can use a 14-day visa (AED 100, extendable once) or a 60-day visa (AED 250 plus AED 100 smart services, not extendable). ICP widened the list on ; before that it applied to Indians only.
Visa required. The visa must be issued before you board. A Dubai tourism establishment applies for a tourist visa, or a relative or friend with UAE residence sponsors an ICP visit visa.
Country by country
| Passport | Plain passport | Shortcut | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | Visa free | Not needed | 30 days, multiple entry |
| India | Visa required | Yes | 14-day visa on arrival with US visa or green card, UK or EU residence |
| Philippines | Visa required | Yes | Added to the residence route in June |
| South Africa | Visa required | Yes | Added to the residence route in June |
| Indonesia | Visa required | Yes | Added to the residence route in June |
| Thailand | Visa required | Yes | Added to the residence route in June |
| Kenya | Visa required | Yes | Added to the residence route in June |
| Bangladesh | Visa required | No | Issuing has been limited at times; confirm first |
| Nepal | Visa required | No | Family sponsorship or tourist visa |
| Sri Lanka | Visa required | No | Family sponsorship or tourist visa |
| Egypt | Visa required | No | GCC residents can try the GCC resident visa |
| Turkiye | Visa required | No | EU residence does not help |
| Morocco | Visa required | No | EU residence does not help |
| Lebanon | Visa required | No | Sponsor or agency route |
| Iran | Visa required | No | National ID needed for the tourist visa |
| Nigeria | Visa required | No | Verification step since the ban was lifted |
| Ghana | Visa required | No | Some agencies ask for a deposit |
| Uganda | Visa required | No | Ebola pause on new visas eased in September |
| Tanzania | Visa required | No | Multiple entry suits trading trips |
| Ethiopia | Visa required | No | Domestic work needs a work visa, not a visit visa |
| Zimbabwe | Visa required | No | South African residence does not help |
Sources: MOFA visa exemptions page, ICP announcement and ICP service page, GDRFA service pages, checked . Lists of visa free countries can change; the u.ae government site says so itself.
What is the same for every nationality
The GDRFA tourist visa costs the same whatever your passport: AED 210 for 30 days and AED 315 for 60 days single entry, AED 315 and AED 525 for multiple entry. The ICP visit visa uses the same income tiers for the sponsor: AED 4,000 for first-degree relatives, AED 8,000 for second and third-degree, AED 15,000 for friends. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months. Overstaying costs AED 50 a day for everyone (overstay fine in Dubai).
Full fee tables are on Dubai visit visa. Residence visas for people moving to Dubai are on UAE visa, and you can follow any application on visa status check.
Getting the visa arranged
Tell us the visitor's nationality, where they live, the dates and whether someone in the UAE is sponsoring them. The partner team checks which of the three situations applies, files the right application and sends the e-visa once issued. One total price is agreed before filing, with government fees and the service charge on separate lines. Use WhatsApp or the form on this page.
