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Egyptians need a Dubai visa before travel. Egypt is on the visa required list of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so the e-visa has to be issued before boarding. The three practical routes are a visit visa sponsored by a relative living in the UAE, a GDRFA tourist visa through a Dubai tourism establishment, and, for Egyptians who live in a Gulf country, GDRFA's entry visa for GCC residents.
Short answers by situation
| You are | Use | Main condition |
|---|---|---|
| Visiting a son, daughter or spouse in the UAE | ICP visit visa | Sponsor earns AED 4,000 a month |
| Visiting a brother, sister or cousin | ICP visit visa | Sponsor earns AED 8,000 a month |
| On holiday, no family in the UAE | GDRFA tourist visa | Applied by a Dubai agency or hotel |
| Living and working in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman or Bahrain | GDRFA visa for GCC residents | Profession on the approved list |
| Coming often for business | ICP 5-year tourist visa | USD 4,000 bank balance over 6 months |
A Schengen, UK or US visa does not change anything for an Egyptian passport. ICP's residence-based visa is limited to seven other nationalities.
Parents and relatives from Egypt
Most Egyptian visits are family visits. The resident in the UAE is the sponsor, and ICP decides on income. For parents, AED 4,000 a month is enough; for a sibling, the sponsor needs AED 8,000. The visit visa runs 30, 60 or 90 days and can be extended up to 120 days in total. On top of the fees there is a refundable guarantee: AED 1,000 single entry or AED 2,000 multiple entry.
The visitor must enter within 60 days of the visa being issued. If parents are going to stay for most of the year, a residence visa is usually better value than chaining visit visas: see parents visa in Dubai.
Egyptians in the Gulf
GDRFA's entry visa for GCC residents and their accompanying persons is for people who already hold a residence permit in a GCC state. Conditions on the GDRFA service page:
- A valid GCC residence permit.
- A profession on the approved list, assessed by GDRFA case by case.
- A passport valid for at least 6 months, with a certified copy including the cover.
- A residence copy or extract that shows the profession.
Family members and accompanying domestic workers who live with you can be included. GDRFA states 48 hours and emails the visa. Source: GDRFA service page, checked . If your profession is not accepted, fall back on the tourist visa.
Tourist visa fees
GDRFA tourist visas, including VAT: AED 210 for 30 days and AED 315 for 60 days single entry; AED 315 and AED 525 for multiple entry. Conditions: passport valid 6 months, onward ticket, UAE-valid health insurance. Full table and agency prices on the Dubai visit visa page.
Things that slow Egyptian files down
- The sponsor's salary certificate shows basic pay only, below the tier, when the total package would pass.
- The relationship cannot be proven from the documents sent. Birth certificates for parents and children, a marriage certificate for a spouse.
- A profession on the GCC residence that GDRFA does not accept for the GCC resident visa.
- Passport renewals at the last minute with a changed name order.
During the stay
Use the GDRFA status tool, explained on visa status check, to confirm issue and expiry. Overstaying costs AED 50 a day, so check the exit date on the overstay fine page. If a visit turns into a move, a family visa can be processed without leaving the UAE through a status change.
How we help Egyptian visitors
The partner team looks at who is sponsoring and what they earn, then picks the visa that will pass: an ICP visit visa, a tourist visa, or the GCC resident visa. They type the application, attach the sponsor's documents and the visitor's passport, submit it and send you the e-visa. One total price is agreed first, with government fees and the service charge listed separately. Ask on WhatsApp or use the form.
Other countries: Dubai visa by nationality.
