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Lebanese citizens need a Dubai visa issued before they travel. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists Lebanon as visa required, so you cannot get a visa on arrival, and a residence in Canada, France or the US does not change that for a Lebanese passport. There are two ways in: an ICP visit visa sponsored by a relative or friend living in the UAE, or a GDRFA tourist visa applied for by a Dubai travel agency or hotel.
Sponsor route or agency route
| ICP visit visa (a UAE resident sponsors) | GDRFA tourist visa (an agency applies) | |
|---|---|---|
| Stay | 30, 60 or 90 days | 30 or 60 days |
| Extension | Yes, up to 120 days in total | GDRFA lists an extension service |
| Fees | AED 100 application, AED 100 a month issuance single entry (AED 200 multiple), AED 100 smart services, AED 20 deposit fee | AED 210 for 30 days, AED 315 for 60 days, single entry |
| Guarantee | AED 1,000 single, AED 2,000 multiple, refundable | None on the GDRFA page |
| Who qualifies to sponsor | Resident earning AED 4,000 (parents, children, spouse), AED 8,000 (other relatives), AED 15,000 (friends) | Any accredited Dubai tourism establishment |
| Enter by | Within 60 days of issue | As printed on the e-visa |
Sources: ICP visit visa page and GDRFA tourist visa pages, checked .
When the sponsor route wins
For stays over 60 days, or when a visit might be extended, the ICP visa is more flexible. A one-month single-entry ICP visa costs AED 320 in fees, more than the AED 210 tourist visa, but the guarantee is refunded and the visa can run to 90 days. For parents spending long periods in Dubai, compare the parents visa, a residence that removes the 120-day ceiling.
When the agency route wins
For a short holiday with no relative in the UAE, or when the relative's income is below the tier, the tourist visa is simpler. GDRFA asks for a passport valid 6 months, an onward ticket and UAE-valid health insurance, and states 48 hours. Multiple entry costs AED 315 for 30 days and AED 525 for 60 days.
What to have ready
- Lebanese passport with at least 6 months left
- Photo on a white background
- Return ticket
- UAE-valid health insurance (tourist visa)
- Sponsor's Emirates ID, residence and salary proof, plus proof of the relationship (visit visa)
Mistakes to avoid
A sponsor applying for an uncle on a AED 4,000 income will be refused: uncles are in the AED 8,000 tier. A visa issued but not used within 60 days lapses. And there is no grace period stated for visit visas, so the AED 50 daily fine starts the day after the permitted stay ends (overstay fine in Dubai).
Confirm the visa and its dates on GDRFA using visa status check.
How we help
The partner team looks at who is visiting, for how long and who can sponsor, then recommends the sponsor or agency route on cost and flexibility. They prepare and file the application, follow it to issue and, for ICP visas, can file an extension before the stay ends. You get one total price before any work starts, government fees and service charge shown separately. WhatsApp us or use the form.
All countries: Dubai visa by nationality. Fee details for every visit visa: Dubai visit visa.
